Interview with Alexandra Sankova about the Moscow Design Museum

Contents:

• "We have become experts in traveling exhibitions"

Designer, founder and director of the Moscow Design Museum - the only museum in Russia specializing in design. He is a member of the International Union of Designers and the Moscow Union of Artists. The Moscow Design Museum actively promotes the art and culture of design through exhibitions, lectures, and master classes, thereby contributing to the development of the design community in the country.

In this interview, you will learn about:

• why the museum’s history is like a detective story;
• how the Itinerant designers “settled” in the Tretyakov Gallery;
• which design objects are the quintessence of all things Russian;
• what is the mission of the Moscow Design Museum;
• why designers should visit the museum.

“We have become experts in traveling exhibitions”

The creation of the museum ten years ago was an important step in preserving cultural heritage and educating society. The museum has become a center where people can learn about history and art, as well as gain new knowledge. It provides a platform for exchanging ideas and building community connections. Furthermore, the museum promotes tourism by attracting visitors and supporting the local economy. It's important to note that ten years ago, the need arose for an institution that would meet modern requirements and society's interests, making its creation relevant and timely.

We aimed to tell the story of the objects found in every home. In the Soviet Union, most designs remained anonymous, and we designers were interested in discovering who was behind the creation of the things that surrounded us. It was a kind of detective investigation, in which we sought information about who created everyday objects, as well as the reasons and motivations behind their design. Fortunately, many of these designers were alive and provided us with invaluable assistance in creating the collection.

During our analysis, we also paid attention to prototypes. These prototypes were developed exclusively for experimental purposes, but for various reasons, their further production was not carried out.

In the late 1970s, VNIITE designers Nikita Kaptelin and Alexander Popov developed one of the world's first snowmobile models with an enclosed cabin. This experimental model was a real breakthrough, as it provided warmth and safety during travel. The snowmobile allowed for higher speeds, which significantly improved its performance characteristics and expanded its capabilities for use in difficult climatic conditions.

The designers proposed the use of fiberglass as a replacement for steel to prevent corrosion. This solution is considered innovative. The snowmobile was planned as the first comfortable winter transport, but the project was suspended at the design proposal stage.

In recent years, the museum has undergone significant changes. It has become more modern and interactive, which has attracted more visitors. The introduction of new technologies, such as virtual reality and multimedia exhibits, has made visiting the museum more engaging and informative. The updated design of the exhibition halls has improved the perception of the collections and facilitated a deeper understanding of the works on display. Furthermore, the museum actively hosts educational programs and master classes, allowing visitors not only to study art but also to participate in its creation. These changes have made the museum an important cultural center, promoting the development of art and increasing interest in it among a wider audience.

We lacked start-up capital and premises, so we decided to make the museum mobile. Initially, we planned to open it in a vegetable stand or horse trailer, and then use a converted bus as an exhibition hall. We even found partners—Avtokolonna No. 1417 from Kolomna—but encountered problems with route receipts, traffic police permits, and internal equipment. Despite the interesting idea, numerous organizational issues hampered its implementation.

While resolving these issues, Marina Loshak invited us to the Manege, where she had just taken up the position of director. We organized three exhibitions there. However, a new director soon arrived at the Manege, who showed no interest in design, forcing us to leave. Following this, we began collaborating with various museums both in Russia and abroad, acting as partners.

Initially, we conceived a concept in which visitors would not come to the museum, but rather the museum itself would travel to them. This was the case because we didn't have a permanent space. Instead, we studied various museum practices and the working methods of curators, curators, and managers in different countries. This experience became a true school for us, and we became experts in organizing traveling exhibitions and traveling museums. As a result, we've created a mobile museum that allows a wide audience to experience art and culture without leaving their region. Working with us is convenient, as our design doesn't require the same complex insurance and climatic conditions as artworks. Protecting a Rembrandt is one thing, but insuring a Soviet teapot is quite another. We offer flexible solutions that make collaboration simple and convenient.

The Peredvizhniki, or Traveling Exhibition Artists, became part of the new Tretyakov Gallery thanks to their desire to create a space for the presentation of realistic art. This group of artists, which emerged in Russia in the late 19th century, actively opposed academic traditions and sought to depict the lives of ordinary people, nature, and the social problems of their time. Their works reflected the spirit of the era and soon attracted a wide audience. The move to the new Tretyakov Gallery was made possible thanks to the support of both the society itself and patrons who wished to preserve and present this significant artistic movement. Now, the Peredvizhniki's works occupy an important place in the collection, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of Russia's cultural heritage.

Following the successful representation of Russia at the London Biennale in 2016, where we won the Grand Prix, we invited Zelfira Tregulova to organize an exhibition about VNIITE at the Tretyakov Gallery. At this time, the Central House of Artists was handed over to the gallery, and we were invited to hold design exhibitions in this space until its renovation began.

This is a temporary, but important home for us. It houses works by pioneers of Russian design such as Tatlin, Suetin, Popov, and Stepanova. This is a unique opportunity to see works that have had a significant impact on the development of art and design in our country.