The debut solo exhibition of artist and designer Kristina Pavlova revolves around an iconic phenomenon of Soviet domestic culture — crystal glassware. Through the lens of the artist’s childhood memories and Soviet past, the malleable imagery of crystal transforms into recognizable visual motifs. As one of the foremost symbols of luxury, crystal objects embodied prosperity and affluence in the eyes of the average Soviet citizen. The sharp, glittering edges of ceremonial vases and goblets, shimmering from the depths of a display cabinet, magically transfigured the space of a standardized Soviet apartment. Meticulously preserved and used only on major holidays, this tableware served no practical purpose — it was rather a cult object, a fetish symbolizing familial happiness and stability. A radiant temple nestled at the heart of an ordinary home, protected by parental prohibitions familiar to every Soviet child. Any careless handling of the crystal was strictly forbidden.

With the onset of Perestroika, the sacred taboo surrounding the display cabinet’s contents vanished, and the once-mighty crystal suddenly lost its magical power. Today, stripped of its former significance, crystal cups and vases have turned into piles of discarded glass in grandmothers’ apartments, becoming silent witnesses to social upheavals and the passage of eras. Exploring themes of prohibition and early memories, Kristina Pavlova creates a fluid, ghostly world of objects where hazy childhood images merge with reflections on a bygone epoch and intuitive premonitions of future change.

Curator: Alexey Korsi