A plot from a cartoon.Not on screen, but on brickwork.Everyone who enters a low-rise building at Gromoboy Street in the city of Ivanovo is welcomed by a house spirit Kuzya.
The drawing was done by the tenants themselves.Moreover, it was drawn during the pandemic.It is symbolic and it refers to the phrase from the same cartoon: “Happiness is when everyone at home.”
The only difference is that in original version, it is said by a crow.But it doesn’t matter anyway.The main thing that the drawing and the quote itself are about home comfort.
They draw as best they can.Not artists.But, in this, there is essence of housing and communal services art.Swans from car tires, mushrooms from old iron bowls fastened to stumps with nails and, of course, old plush toys that are supposed to be used as “interior dolls” have long become its signs in the courtyards.
In the case of Kuzya, there is interesting story.The tenants of the house decided to add some colore to their routine life.Besides, based on the snow cover, it can be assumed that winter lasts almost half a year in the city.
And the surrounding landscape is quite monotonous by colore range.Here, on specially plastered walls, a fairy tale has came to life.
In addition to the house spirit, cats can be seen.They seem to be from a different story.But also, they are kind of talisman to “protect” the house.
And that’s not all.New heroes will come soon in the future.It is easy to define the boundary between housing and communal services art and real art.
Not because the level of performance is different.Rather by perception …
For example, there is is a huge graffiti on another street of the city it was made for a high-rise building by a tattoo master of the popular Timati. For him, it is a step into great art. Literally big. A huge wall has become a canvas. And many, many people can see this plot.
But Kuzya could be seen only by those who turned from the street to a small house. Turned around and returned home. Into a fairy tale. The place, where they are remembered and always waited.
Leonid KIYASHKO, journalist, Ivanovo, Russia