Bacon in Moscow

James Birch, a young British curator, attempted to mount the groundbreaking retrospective of Francis Bacon's work at the Central House of Artists, Moscow in 1988.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 27 January 2022
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

This funny and personal memoir is the account of an audacious attempt by James Birch, a young British curator, to mount the groundbreaking retrospective of Francis Bacon's work at the newly refurbished Central House of Artists, Moscow, in 1988. Side-lined by the British establishment, Birch found himself at the heart of a honey-trap and the focus for a picaresque cast of Soviet officials, attachés, and politicians under the forbidding eye of the KGB as he attempted to bring an unseen western cultural icon to Russia during the time of Glasnost, just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Bacon in Moscow is the story of the evolution of an exhibition that was at the artistic and political heart of a sea of change that culminated with the fall of the USSR.

Background:

In the late 1980s, the Soviet Union was undergoing a period of political and economic reform known as Glasnost ("Openness"). This period of openness allowed for greater cultural exchange between the Soviet Union and the Western world, and it was during this time that Birch planned to bring Bacon's work to Russia. Birch had been working as a curator at the Tate Gallery in London for several years and had developed a reputation for his innovative and daring exhibitions. He had also been involved in the early stages of the Soviet Union's cultural exchange program, which had allowed for the importation of Western art and literature.

The Exhibition:

Birch's exhibition, Bacon in Moscow, was a retrospective of Bacon's work that included over 100 paintings, sculptures, and drawings. The exhibition was designed to showcase Bacon's unique style, which was characterized by his use of bold colors, distorted forms, and raw sexuality. The exhibition was also intended to challenge the conservative values of the Soviet Union and to promote greater cultural freedom.

The Challenges:

Birch faced numerous challenges as he attempted to mount the exhibition in Moscow. The British establishment was skeptical of his plans, and they were concerned that the exhibition would be seen as an attempt to undermine the Soviet Union's cultural sovereignty. The KGB, the Soviet secret police, also monitored Birch's activities closely, and they were concerned that the exhibition would be used as a platform for Western propaganda.

The Success:

Despite these challenges, Birch's exhibition was a huge success. The exhibition attracted thousands of visitors, including many Soviet officials and politicians. The exhibition was also featured in the international press, and it helped to raise awareness of Bacon's work and to promote greater cultural exchange between the Soviet Union and the Western world.

Conclusion:

Bacon in Moscow was a groundbreaking exhibition that helped to break down the barriers between the Soviet Union and the Western world. It was a testament to the power of art to promote cultural understanding and to challenge political ideologies. Birch's audacious attempt to mount the exhibition was a testament to his courage and his commitment to promoting cultural freedom.

Weight: 764g
Dimension: 190 x 249 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788169745
Edition number: Main