Foundation of art center “Pushkinskaya-10” directly linked with activity of “Free culture” Society.
As far back as middle of seventies in art life of Leningrad emerges unique cultural occurrence, later named “Gazanevshina” by fine art experts (due to famous exhibitions of independent painters – in community center n.a. Gas (1974) and community center “Nevskiy” (1975)). “Gazanevshina” layed foundation to series of legal group exhibitions of independent art and promoted the development of flat-exhibition tradition that was born in the sixties. In the end of 1975 group of “gazanevskoy culture” participants formed the Society for Experimental Exhibitions (TEV).
Appearance of TEV allowed to partly bear down ideological and legalistic monopoly, that translated into series of exhibitions organized by these painters and devoid of strict ethicaly-ideological censure. Frankly, even in these cases it was not possible to avoid ideological selection, provided by government structures. After exhibition in community center “Nevskiy” the Society drew the line with dynamism, further its functions proceeded to Society for Experimental Fine Arts (TEII), formed in 1981 by painters of Leningrad, that didn’t belong to official artists’ association. First members of TEII were participants of flat-exhibition “Na Bronnickoy”, that took place on November 1981in a block of flats on Bronnickaya st., 20.
During a 10 year period, from 1981 to 1990, Society of experimental visual art orginised 13 public, 48 group and 7 personal exhibitions. 9 art groups existed in the Society: Inaki, Alypius, Fasti, 5/4 (five fours), Hippy Artists, Isle, New painters, Necrorealists and Tir – almost every disciple of unofficial Leningrad art groups. According to Leningrads’ art department in 1987 – 200 people belonged to TEII. The Society consisted of representants of various art movements, aspired to achieve their professional rights by uniting efforts.
In 1991 in Saint Petersburg was officially registered humanitarian fund “Free culture” further named “Free culture” Society”( TSK). TSK became successor of TEV and TEII, keeping traditions of Leningrads’ unofficial art and new Russian reality.
