Semion Faibisovich 1949

The distinctive feature of Faibisovich’s art is his sickeningly close examination of all kinds of rubbish; and it is this examination that is the object of Faibisovich’s depictions. Take, for instance, his picture of Lev Rubinstein looking through his spectacles at the vistas of the Moscow Metro, a very faithful representation of Rubinstein, indeed, looking exactly as he would in a photograph. Or some unknown women, some sort of a pageant… It was not so much social evil or the Soviet people’s mood that is clearly observed in their grimaces that is irksome, the main irritants are the lighting and color that are not to be found anywhere else in the world. As an orthodox photo realist, he has produced series of several works in which vision disperses if you stare for a long time at the same spot. As the outlines of people and houses are obliterated, green spots swim before your half-closed eyes. Faibisovich allows the possibility for the surroundings to live their own life while he listens, watches, and takes minutes. There is a risk, in fact there are no guarantees whatsoever, that the work is worth his effort.

Victoriya Samsonova