Culver City,
California
x
Maker: Aleksei Rezaev
In The Beginning There Was the Word
Date Made: 1992
Country: Soviet Union
Measurements: 59.5 cm x 90 cm; 23 7/16 in x 35 7/16 in
This painting depicts a large red ship moored on solid ground, with a miniature replica of the Moscow Kremlin on board and made of the same red bricks as the rest of the boat. A carved figurehead of Lenin on the bow of the ship, also in the same red material, gestures with his right hand pointing forward as letters fall from his mouth onto the ground, spelling out typical Party propoganda slogans such as “Peace to the people,” and “The workers have the factories.” There is a large hole on the port side of the ship in the shape of th Soviet Union, with the Russian acronym “USSR” formed with the pieces of ship that litter the ground. The hole does not look into the inner working of a ship, but rather a dark starry night sky with a small hammer and sickle twinkling among the stars. Yeltsin is at the helm of the ship, holding on to the steering wheel and staring directly at the viewer. His blue clothing clashes with the red tones of the painting, and his head appears to be collaged onto the board. This cutout Yeltsin head offers a commentary on the replaceable nature of each Soviet leader in succession, now ending with Yeltsin who is apparently trying to steer a stationary, landlocked boat with the Kremlin aboard, that is crumbling apart. The title of the work, “In the beginning there was the word,” is a direct quotation from John 1:1 in the Bible: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This biblical reference draws the parallel between the bible and the semi-religious, all-powerful significance given to the speech and actions of each Soviet leader.
Accession Number: 2009.053.082
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