Culver City,
California
x
Maker: Aleksei Rezaev
"Beautiful Varvara, Long Braid”
Date Made: 1990
Country: Soviet Union
Measurements: 100.5 cm x 70.5 cm; 39 9/16 in x 27 3/4 in
The head and torso of a standing nude woman seen from the back has long, black hair tied with a 100 German mark bill. The phrase “Beautiful Varvara, Long Braid” in Russian and two sets of multi-colored hearts surround the nude, which is framed by semi-circles with hearts in each corner. Hand-written phrases in English and French, like “I want you” and “My dear baby” on it, signed by “Bob” and “Bill” respectively, cover the lower part of her body. The scrawled notes of a sexual nature on this woman’s nude body, which is turned away from the viewer in discomfort, shown by the blush on her visible cheek, emphasize the objectifying gaze of the viewer. The use of a German bill in her hair, the descriptor “barbarian,” and the graffitti-like nature of the words on her body reduce this woman to a sexual object rather than an autonomous person.
Accession Number: 2009.053.007
Item Name: Painting
Credit Line: The Ferris Russian Collection, Donated by Tom and Jeri Ferris
Collection/Series: The Ferris Russian Collection, Donated by Tom and Jeri Ferris