Viktor Pivovarov: Metaphysics and Despair

The exhibition, Metaphysics and Despair, by Viktor Pivovarov (1937), and the accompanying catalogue of the same name, present the artist’s recent works, supplemented by an album from 2005. 

In Metaphysics and Despair, Pivovarov draws inspiration from the work of Daniil Kharms. Like Kharms, he combines absurd humour with serious themes. He explores what happens to a person when they allow themselves to be controlled by their basest instincts.  This autobiographically themed series presents various forms of inspiration and depicts the sufferings and joys associated with creating a work of art, whether literary or visual. With detachment and a unique sense of humour, it demonstrates the complexity of the process and the mental and physical suffering that often accompanies the creation of uplifting metaphysical works.