The 1st session of the museum’s project called “Peremena (or “change” in Russian) Laboratory” was held on Sunday, December 24, 2017. As part of this event Peter Stabrovsky, designer and artist, gave a master class related the museum’s work. The “Peremena ” is an experimental laboratory, conducted within the “Campus Martius” project, which has become the winner of the competition “Changing Museum in a Changing World”, organised by theVladimir Potanin Foundation, and the “RozhdeSNO” festival (an event to celebrate both Christmas and New Year holidays). Peter Stabrovsky collaborates with different Perm museums such the Perm Museum of Contemporary Art, the Perm Regional Museum, he is a teacher at Perm School of Design “Tochka” (or “point” in Russian) and a developer of the “Campus Martius, or How to Become a Citizen of Perm University” project.
The students attending the master class were offered to do quite a difficult task: they were asked to help Peter to create the models of the recreational space at the entrance to the Perm University History Museum. At the same time, Peter intentionally complicated the task — every participant could only use a limited number of items: a cardboard floor, wooden blocks and cardboard men, sized to fit the model of the recreational space. Within an hour and a half, those who had chosen to proceed down the difficult path of becoming a citizen of Perm University, were changing the hall of Building 2 the way they wanted to see it. To inspire the participants, Maksim Trofimov (PhD in Historical sciences) was sketching out the portrait of an Ancient Greek polis’ citizen, trying to portray his appearance, his type of activity, occupation, and etc, to provide an insight into one day of his life.
Получилось что-то вроде: голубоглазый блондин худощавого телосложения, ростом 150-155 см., с ног до головы обмазанный оливковым маслом, являющийся крестьянином и владевший земельным наделом и несколькими рабами, день которого начинался с легкого завтрака [О том, что ели греки на завтрак, читай здесь], затем посещения парикмахера и обмена всеми новостями и сплетнями из жизни полиса, 3-4-х часовой работы на своей должности, либо участия в Народном собрании, посещения гимнасия и общественной бани и, наконец, симпозиума. Жизнь греческого гражданина проходила целиком и полностью в гражданском коллективе, гражданин никогда не был один: в парикмахерской, на рынке, в гимнасии или школе (schola), во время обеда гражданин всегда был в группе других граждан.
And that’s what he looked like: a blue-eyed blonde of slight build, 150-155cm tall (60-61 inches tall), covered in olive oil from head to toe, a peasant with allotment and some slaves. His usual day began with a light breakfast, then he made a visit to a barber where exchanged news and gossips about a polis’ life with other citizens, worked for 3-4 hours at his post or participated in the People’s Assembly, attended a gymnasium, went to a public bath and, finally, went to a symposium. As part of the community, an Ancient Greek citizen was never alone: at the barber’s salon, in the market, at gymnasium or at school (scholae) he was always surrounded by people.
Laboratory “Peremena” is not a single event. During 2017 different master classes, workshops, discussions, and etc. will take place. Firstly, this kind of activity will contribute to the student’s becoming of a citizen of Perm University. Secondly, it will help to create the recreational space.
Follow our news on the social networks for more events coming this year:
-Perm University museums’ website;
-Vladimir Potanin Foundation – the project’s online diary.
