Inside the Magical World of Russian Fairy Tales
 - Arina Mulikaeva.jpg "Inside the Magical World of Russian Fairy Tales")
Moving between the exhibition halls, visitors immerse themselves in the world of Russian fairy tales, discovering new layers of familiar stories and characters. The exhibition goes beyond the usual format and becomes an exploration of Russian fairy tales as a cultural code and source of collective imagination. The project presents classic Russian fairy tales in a new interpretation — the contemporary genre of total installation, combining the works of modern artists and iconic illustrators.
The exhibition opens with a hall where visitors are greeted by images of A. S. Pushkin, A. N. Afanasyev, V. I. Dal and V. Ya. Propp who were collectors and researchers of Russian fairy tales. Next, visitors encounter unique art objects and travel through fantastical spaces: the giant head of a bogatyr, a life-size Baba Yaga in Bilibin style, her hut, the winter kingdom, and the renewed “War of the Mushrooms” with Tsar Gorokh.
There is a stable with the Little Humpbacked Horse, a blacksmith's workshop with a Tula anvil, and fairy-tale animals. A special place is occupied by the expanded hall of Soviet fairy tales, where the atmosphere of a Soviet interior is recreated with iconic images from films, artefacts and illustrations, including, for example, the Soviet versions of “The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish” and “The Frog Princess”. For fans of the “golden age” of Soviet cinema and animation, this space will be a celebration of nostalgia.
The project immerses the viewer in a magical world and reveals the mechanisms of fairy tales — their archetypes, symbolism and deeper meanings. From the architecture of the route to the visual images and narrative, all elements of the exhibition have been reimagined.
While working on the exhibition, we explored the constant elements of Russian fairy tales such as the plot outline, archetypal heroes, and ways of embodying magic. It is important for us to show how these constants have changed over time from folk tales to Soviet interpretations and modern mythology,” noted project curator Polina Kotova.
There is magic in this project. Here you can spend time with your child, travelling through the world of Russian fairy tales. Stories familiar to us from childhood appear in a completely new light. How did these stories come about? What do they tell us? This exhibition is unique because children will learn about Russian fairy tales through immersive interaction, while adults, with their wealth of life experience, will discover the original ideas of the authors and rediscover well-known stories. We are confident that we will change your perception of fairy tales,” said Ilya Dybov, the project's producer.
The immersive spaces of the exhibition are designed so that visitors go through tests just like a fairy tale hero: wandering through a dark forest, meeting magical creatures and returning to the light. It is not only a spectacle but also an experience of personal transformation.
Contemporary Russian artists are participating in the project, including Danya Pirogov, Elena Kovylina, Artur Krivoshein, Alexei Vasilyev, Alexander Vinogradov, Vladimir Dubosarsky, Alexander Krylov, and others. Their works combine folk motifs with contemporary art, giving the fairy tale a modern feel.
The exhibition features documentary and feature films, art installations, including immersive and light installations, art objects and other artefacts created and selected specifically for the project.
I definitely recommend visiting this exhibition, as it allows you to see familiar stories from a new angle. It is also a wonderful way to get acquainted with folk art in an exciting format.
Details
Address: 4th Syromyatnichesky Pereulok, 1/8s9
Price:1200 rub
The exhibition is available till the end of January.
Visitors can explore the exhibition on their own or with the help of an audio guide, which provides more detailed information about the thematic areas and exhibits.
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Arina Mulikaeva
