RUSSIA-CONTEMPORARY ART/MUSIC FESTIVAL Festival of contemporary art and electronic music held in Russia's St. Petersburg

Record ID: 145089

  • Title: RUSSIA-CONTEMPORARY ART/MUSIC FESTIVAL Festival of contemporary art and electronic music held in Russia's St. Petersburg
  • Date: 4th August 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) FESTIVAL ORGANISER, DMITRY AGALAKOV, SAYING: "The festival is dedicated to modern art and electronic music in its current form, we believe it represents the vanguard of music and art." VARIOUS OF INSTALLATION BY ARTIST ALEXANDER SHISHKIN (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) FESTIVAL ORGANISER, DMITRY AGALAKOV, SAYING: "It is original because apart from the foreigner
  • Embargoed: 19th August 2015 13:00
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  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA195KR7AR6V81KF03LW31SLDEG
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Hundreds of spectators flocked to Russia's Street Art Museum in St. Petersburg over the weekend to take part in an international festival entitled 'Present Perfect', featuring contemporary art and electronic music.
    The festival was dedicated to highlighting 'the cultural vanguard' of street art and the cutting edge of electronic music enjoyed by a young generation of Russians, according to organiser Dmitry Agalkov.
    "The festival is dedicated to modern art and electronic music in its current form, we believe it represents the vanguard of music and art," Agalkov said, as the loud sound of music pumping from a stage could be heard.
    Visitors were presented with a line-up of international performers, including Finnish musician Jimi Tenor, Edinburgh-based musical collective Hidden Orchestra and DJ Vadim, a Russian musician who grew up in London and performs around the world.
    Moritz von Oswald, a German multi-instrumentalist who is credited with being one of the most influential techno music producers since the early 90s, also performed at the festival.
    Other electronic music heavyweights included British performer Nathan Fake and Berlin-based music producer Matt Edwards - better known under his Radio Slave moniker.
    Despite the international line up, Agalkov says the festival celebrates those who are developing modern art and music in Russia.
    "It is original because apart from the foreigners, there are many Russian musicians represented here. And all the artists that are featured in the territory of the museum are Russian artists," he said.
    The festival spanned over 16 hours, starting on Saturday (August 1) evening and continuing into the early hours of Sunday (August 2).
    People could be seen dancing in the courtyard of the museum as different performers took to the stage to play their music, with graffiti and murals providing a colourful backdrop in the location.
    Hidden Orchestra members Jamie Graham and Joe Acheson said they were happy to return to Russia.
    "The last two times we played in St. Petersburg we've had a fantastic audience, so we are hoping for the same," Graham said.
    Acheson said the musical collective had a strong Russian fan base, joking that illegal music downloads had helped.
    "Everybody knows our music here, maybe because there is a lot of illegal downloads and things like that, it means the people are really informed and they are really energetic and it is just a real joy to play," he said.
    The courtyard -- referred to as Peace Square by organizers -- also featured a skating ramp, a lecture hall and a green zone, where families could engage in sports activities, as well as food stands that offered a selection of local goods.
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