Vasily Klyukin is a well-known figure on the social scene, judging by the photos from glamorous events such as the amfAR Gala in Cap d'Antibes, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Gala in St. Tropez or from Monte Carlo, where Vasily Klyukin has been living for several years.

But behind the glamour façade is a successful businessman who founded banks and companies with his brother. His fascination with sports and space is also well known, and Klyukin is said to have booked a space flight and also approached Elon Musk's SpaceX. In recent years, however, he has been known for one thing above all else, and that is his career as an artist.

This, too, is based on a solid background: Klyukin studied architecture and design and has been working tirelessly on his new career ever since. Under the keen scrutiny of the art press, he consistently receives good reviews. His exhibitions are indeed spectacular, as evidenced by a staging of Dante's Inferno stretching over 1000 metres during the 2022 Venice Biennale.

His latest exhibition "Space Mind" at the Osthaus Museum Hagen is also massive and full of statements and emotions. A 4.5-metre-high brass sculpture entitled "413" stands directly at the museum entrance. It was already on display in front of the Kunstforum in Vienna in 2021. In the museum itself, 250 large and small three-dimensional sculptures as well as immersive installations await the visitor on several levels. Many works are made from hundreds of polycarbonate sheets in Klyukin's preferred technique. His black "obelisks", the so-called "thought cathedral" in the centre of the museum, reach a height of 7.3 metres. In another room, one finds oneself in a science fiction space, an immersive work of art with wall sculptures and a droning cosmic voice.

January 17, 2023

Interview Directory 

ART

Name: Vasily Klyukin

Occupation: Artist, Architect, Entrepreneur

Self-awareness: "When I found myself in a dark wood; for I had strayed from the right path." .

Next: Elon Musk's SpaceX

In Germany, the Osthaus Museum is known for its spectacular exhibitions and worldwide stars like Sylvester Stallone, Bryan Adams or even Dieter Nuhr. Can you tell me how you got to know museum director Dr Belgin?

I had heard about the exhibitions in Hagen and was very curious. When I presented my work "Dante's Inferno" during the Venice Biennale in 2019, I also met Tayfun Belgin there. Hagen is not a big city, but the Osthaus Museum is one of the best museums here in Germany. I have really seen many museums, even much bigger ones, but the Osthaus Museum is simply unique, also because of the space. I built half of the works exhibited here especially for this museum. I studied the dimensions carefully and planned the exhibition for a year.

To come back to your work that you showed at the Biennale. Dante's Inferno is quite a heavy subject. What inspired you to do it?

I have been working with angels for a long time, with the question of what keeps angels in balance. I think that it is not demons that provide the balance, but wisdom. Wisdom can paint different colours in our soul. Without wisdom we are white inside, wisdom fills us with colour. Convinced by this idea, I found my way to Dante. In my work I refer to the famous and often quoted beginning of the "Divine Comedy": "It was in the middle of our life's journey. When I found myself in a dark wood; for I had strayed from the right path." I turned the wisdom I found into sculptures and recreated Dante's Inferno in Venice at 1000 metres.

Hagen 13. January 2023: Vasily Klyukin and director of the Osthaus Museum Hagen shortly before the painting performance in the foyer of the museum.

©Osthaus Museum Hagen

"This exhibition is not just about artworks, it is about spaces. For visitors, it's supposed to be a journey to places that don't exist and that are in the future."

You admire the work of Joseph Beuys?

Here in Germany last year I met Bernd Schwarzer (note: Düsseldorf artist), a Joseph Beuys student. I didn't study with Beuys myself, but I admire him. He is a German artist, but internationally known, and influences the whole world. He is the father of performance, but more importantly, he eliminated the boundaries in art. From him comes the sentence: "Everyone can be an artist and everything is art. Build your own universe."

"Inspiring people to dream

and travel with art."

What else would you like to achieve as an artist? You have already done a lot in your life and worked as an entrepreneur, architect and designer.

I would like to inspire people to dream and travel, that is my main goal. I wrote my first story when I was seven or eight. I was already very creative as a child. Art was part of my life. At first, I used my creativity to earn money. That comes in handy if you want to become an artist. What is the problem of artists? They are dependent on the charity of others, on collectors and gallery owners. I was able to gain independence in this way and the freedom to overcome boundaries, just like Beuys.

What is the art scene in Monte-Carlo like?

I have 3 studios there and in my main studio I start and finish my artworks. The works here in the museum have gone through three different workshops. The polished pieces from one manufactory go to another for polishing. But it's not always so easy to coordinate everything, people often don't know what they're dealing with. One of the works of art here, for example, consists of 150 discs. If the works are not that big, I first bring them to my home in the studio. That is also the first home of the artwork.

Where have you actually exhibited?

My exhibitions, last year in Venice and this year in Madrid, are actually not as big as this exhibition here. But my works are also exhibited in public spaces. If you count that, I have already exhibited in over 30 countries.

There is a heart sculpture of mine in front of the Chȃteau Gütsch in Lucerne, and there are other sculptures in Sardinia and Israel. The large sculpture (note: the large one in front of the Osthaus Museum) will go to Monaco into public space. But I think its final place will be in Hong Kong. But I have two of these statues, the other one is in Malaga next to the Picasso Museum.

Your artworks were also auctioned by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and the Prince Albert of Monaco Charity.



 The thing is: When you make art, you don't usually earn money directly from it. But already five years ago, large sums were paid at auctions of my works. These results inspired me to continue as an artist. Before, I had only made art out of passion, but now I could work more professionally.

©Osthaus Museum Hagen

©Osthaus Museum Hagen, ©AM