Mikhail Rubankov
Mikhail Rubankov was born in 1983 in Omsk. Lives and works in Moscow.
Taking into account the experience of the older generation of conceptualists, Mikhail Rubankov works with the problems of gaps that arise between words and images, with the absurdity of reality constructed by the bureaucratic language of public spaces, state and corporate systems, with the transgressive potential of everyday things and events. Also in his artistic practice, Mikhail Rubankov often uses the so-called “displacement” as a technique, in particular, the displacement of the viewer himself in relation to the system of meanings in which he is permanently rooted.
“I use different and often mixed techniques and methods, using visual media in accordance with the idea or message that I want to convey to the viewer. In some of my works and series, I explore issues of personal freedom, choice, and the individual’s place in society, system, regime, structure. Deeper psychological issues related to the subconscious, personal, patterns, attitudes, collective and unconscious are also touched upon. Also, I am interested and close to working with the absurd, pseudo-documentation, bureaucratization, existential, with the study of the medium and material itself. The works often contain texts, both as independent statements and in connection with the image. Some of my works are characterized by post-irony; a direct message is often replaced by metaphor, multiple meanings and traditions. The closest direction for me is conceptualism.”
Mikhail Rubankov
