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Fungal Motif in Russian Conceptualism: Mycological Science, the Second Avant-Garde, and Suggestive Visuality

par Ioffe, Dennis
Référence Zbornik Matice srpske za slavistiku, 109
Publication A Paraître, 2026-03-01

Article révisé par les pairs

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Résumé :

The article examines the unique interplay between the various tropes of fungi and Russian Conceptualism, situating the mycological motif within the broader context of Second Avant-Garde aesthetics and socio-political critique. Russian artists such as Vasily Kandinsky, Ilya Kabakov, Andrei Monastyrsky, and others incorporated mushroom imagery into their works as a metaphorical device that transcends the boundaries of mere visual motifs. These symbols embody philosophical explorations of consciousness, spirituality, and esoteric mysticism, reflecting resistance to Soviet materialism and ideological orthodoxy. The analysis traces the historical roots of this fascination back to early modernist experiments such as The War of Mushrooms (1909), which combined allegory and satire with political critique. The quasi-surrealist art of Nikolai Kalmakov, Vasily Denisov and Vasily Shulszhenko as well as Volkova-Shevelenko duo are also mentioned and analyzed. The mushroom becomes an icon of transformation, pointing to the rich tradition of Eurasian shamanism and psychoactive practices. In the 1970s and 1980s, mushrooms occupy a central position in the works of Moscow Conceptualists, articulating alternative forms of spirituality through avant-garde rituals and visual provocations. By examining the works of prominent figures and groups, including the collective Mukhomor and conceptual artists Makarevich and Elagina, as well as Andrei Khlobystin, the present study explores how mushroom symbolism and esotericism converge to challenge both artistic and ideological boundaries. Particular attention is devoted to the interdisciplinary nature of these inquiries, encompassing mythology, alchemy, ethnography, and Soviet underground culture. Ultimately, this research reveals how mushrooms emerge as a prism through which to reconsider identity, community, and the boundaries of artistic expression in late-twentieth-century Russia.