(1) How long have you been making installations?
When I prepare an installation, it takes about two-three hours but after the show had started, some improvisation that happens in the space of the installation prolongs the whole development of the construction.
(2) Why did you choose to make installations and not anything else?
Installation is the “main kind of mankind’s” (the author's term) synthesis of cultural and/or behavioural types and includes all the levels of imagination we may find in the world.
(3) What do you think of your own works?
I think my own works - merely the great majority of them - are still unrealized but on the other hand they remain in my mind to become more perfect and filled with senses.
(4) What do you think the difference is between your own work and other installations?
My works are pregnant with parts of future installation.
(5) What do you think of the relationship of traditional artwork and installation?
I think that installation is a unique sort of symbiosis of traditional works; it's just their reincarnation!
(6) What is the size and material of an installation determined by?
The size and materials of installation may be mainly determined by my art concepts that I can change when the installation develops. So, the size and/or materials are evoluting along the constructing of the installation and according to my intention of saying something or not - just to self-stimulate the thoughts.
(7) Could you mention the installation you consider to be the largest and the smallest one?
Well, an installation may be large, I mean the Universe, - and it may be small like a figure made of a sheet of paper. But often it may appear large and small simultaneously, - it's my installation of dreams, propositions and forecasting: it has been shown in a planetary space in my inner vision and at the same time it seems to be very compact when it's structure is getting off the ground.
(8) Is there any object or idea that cannot be installed?
I still did not found any object or idea that can't be installed.
(9) How does environment affect the installation of the work?
Environment invariably helps me to create my installations: whether it's raining (it's Braining!) or snowing, or the wind is blowing - all these conditions help me and are components of my composition.
(10) Do you know any fact that restricts the possibilities of installation?
Some restriction factors I met were not strong enough to pull down my installation (police, size of the room, financial capacity) but basically the misunderstanding of people became the most dangerous thing.
(11) Do you like making installation for order or at request?
We have no choice between the order and request in Russia. Russian artist usually work according to their creative inspirations but in this case they have no chances to sell the works. And a request may be a restriction of the author's ideas but it's a single way to survive and to go on with his work. Of course it is always a sad moment when the life of my installations is ending. But there are no reasons to cry for this! I'm always sure about the next attempt to create a new installation and I'll construct more unexpected and multi-dimensional compositions. And the installations I made before are kept in photos and in my mind.
(13) Can the value of an installation be estimated and how?
I think that the price of author's unique art concepts must be considered higher compared to the real prices of the materials it consists of.
(14) How does copyright apply to installations preserved only in documents?
It's hard for me to discuss about copyright of installations. When you are ready to demonstrate your composition you often feel some fear of thieves-in-art who steal your ideas. The majority of Russian artist (excluding the so-called “artists of the Establishment”, of course!) are unprotected against their ideas being taken away.
(16) Your questions, if there is any, and your answers to them.
What does installation mean for me in everyday life? Sure, it's a better way to survive and to find and maintain a creative conversation with my brothers and sisters in arms (=in arts)!