Unlike other exhibitions, there is no unifying idea that can bring Andrei Florov's pictures together. Each painting conveys its own unique idea. Art world insiders call the style "Moscow Surrealism" or "Theatre of the Absurd" because observing illogical situations in life through a microscope is Frolov's favorite artistic method.

The interesting part about it is that those who are being depicted appear, in their turn, to be observing the artist himself. It is an unpredictability that reminds the exhibition's visitors of the magic world of a kaleidoscope. For Florov, the diversity of his tiny and strange characters is a point of principle.

The Novaya Kollektsiya Gallery's art critic, Alexander Petrovichev, explains that this exhibition is typical of Frolov. "He has his own art style." Petrovichev said. "We exhibit Frolov's paintings twice a year, so I can see how he has changed," "A couple of years ago, most of his paintings were big and slightly pretentious, but now he has became more professional in his small-scale paintings."

Among his favorite characters are huge beetles, flies and birds. A painting entitled "Scarab" is one of the more typical in his work. It depicts a tiny person wearing a white shroud standing behind a huge golden sphere. A terrifying beetle is moving in his direction while two flies, like two nuclear rockets, are diving into the sphere.

Frolov demonstrates an inner world — his world, for sure — openly and transparently. Nevertheless, you will find no trace of hysterics or any whiff of drugs in his work. It is obvious that his paintings are those of a rationally minded person who clearly understands the rules of the theater of the absurd. For visitors to the exhibition, this will be a chance to assemble all the pictures into one big panorama of Frolov's artistic world.

The exhibition runs until Nov. 2

Novaya Kolektsiya Gallery
Bol. Polyanka, 15
Metro: Polyanka
Tel: 959-0141
Daily 11a.m. – 7p.m. Sunday 10a.m. – 4p.m.
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