My choice

YOUNG AND HOPEFUL EXPRESSED THEMSELVES IN THE ART GALLERY

They are considered to be the rising stars of Moscow sports and our national treasure. Within a few years these athletes will represent our city and even country on the main Russian and international competitions. We’ve chosen three young athletes from a great variety of up-and- coming celebrities and suggested that they express themselves through art. For that end we went to the art-gallery “Our artists” together to see the first time in Russia exhibition of a prominent artist of the 60’s by the name of Vasilii Sitnikov. Though the selection was limited to the works of one artist, it was a full collection, and young athletes did not hesitate to manage their choice…

Karina Grineva

Her choice: “One to – another fro”, beginning of 1970’s

Was born on June, 10, 1993.

Moscow champion (2008), manifold prize-winner of all-Russian and Moscow athletics tournaments (hurdling). Plays for the team “Yunost Moskvy” (SK “Luch”).

Coach: Irina Scheglova.

Dreams to open her own advertising agency.

Prefer to read classics and modern prose, also is fond of music and likes to sleep.

At first it seemed to me that two persons meeting at the crossroads were on the canvas. Afterwards I took another look at it going deeper, and my perception changed a lot. I think that the author intended to reflect a split personality. The hardest part is to come to an agreement with yourself. I am no exception – it is often rather difficult to run on trainings when my coach does not look at me. I instantly get the desire to slack off a bit, to relax, as it were. I have to remind myself that the training is really important for future good results. So it turns out that this painting is congenial to me.

Egor Kanunnikov

His choice: “Moscow”, 1973.

Was born on August, 30, 1995.

European Wushu champion (2006), three-fold Wushu champion of Russia (2006, 2007, 2008), Moscow champion (2006, 2008). Plays for the sports school “MESh”.

Coach: Tatyana Kupriyanova.

Dreams about admission of Wushu to the Olympic Games program. He wants to participate in Olympics.

Leads an active life, enjoys snowboarding and skateboarding.

I can easily catch the idea of this painting. I perceived it at once. The rest of them are multi-layered and this is the only one which I understood clearly.

Moreover “Moscow” is the brightest in the gallery and it is as beautiful as our city. It reminds me of the competition. Loads of people depicted here are like the spectators filling the stands. It’s a kind of show at the Lobnoye mesto which draws people’s attention similarly to stadiums.

Andrei Shiryaev

His choice: “Fields bathed in moonlight”, 1983.

Was born on June, 8, 1987.

Moscow champion (2008), prize-winner of the Russian Cup (2008) of orienteering.

Represents the club “Orienta” of the Moscow Higher technical College named after Bauman (MVTU).

Coach: Alexander Kobzarev.

His dream is to become a self-made man.

Likes traveling. Hobbies – cars, photography and railway modelling.

My athletic career began rather randomly. I could not receive my scholarship as I did not have any credit for physical education where I studied. So I had to go in for the so-called orienteering… Not long ago I went to competitions to Sweden. This painting reminded me of a landscape I saw there. But when I was in Sweden it was sunset, and here we see a moonlit night. It so happened that this canvas called up my nostalgic memories about sport and my performance in Sweden.

photo Andrey Golovanov, Sergey Kivrin, text Alexei Rybalko

Special thanks for help rendered in working up this article to the art-gallery “Our artists”

Gallery address: villa community Borki, 36

19th km of Rublyevo-Uspenskoye shosse

Phone: (495) 634 22 22 Fax: (495) 634 69 18

E-mail: info@kournikovagallery.ru

Opening hours: daily 12p.m. – 8 p.m.