Nevsky-25

Nevsky-25 (Russian: Не́вский-25; 1987–1990) was a group of Russian underground culture artists. Association of artists and squatters’ workshop in the time of perestroika. Date of creation–March 13, 1987. The founder is Alexey Parygin. Location: Top floor of Kazan Cathedral House. Leningrad, Nevsky Prospect, 25 & Kazanskaya street, 1.

Nevsky-25 Poster. 1989

Quotes

• The double front doors were skillfully camouflaged, barred up with meter-long sheets of old partially rusted tin with inch-thick boards nailed across them. Thick curved nails (glued with epoxy resin) stuck out of wood and iron. Everything was well thought out and the scenery looked convincing. To the right of the door frame, an inhospitable wire with two bare contacts was hanging. You needed to close them to make the bell ring in the depths of the apartment. In case everyone left the workshop, there was a way to securely close the entrance. For this purpose, a strong and heavy inter-door hook and a system of levers were used. The door could be opened and closed by means of two external rope ends tied to the latch. Seeing this mechanism in action always made an indelible impression on newcomers.
  • Alexey Parygin Богема (записки художника) // Volga. Saratov. 2022, # 7-8 (499). — P. 141. (Rus)

• The works create new poetry, which involuntarily rivals with habitual esthetic stereotypes. For instance, we accept as a common notion to worship joyously the classic beauty of St. Petersburg, its harmony and stately grandeur. This exposition does have variations of that sort. But observe “Night Nevsky” by Parygin. Rough to the touch texture, dark abyss. In the darkness urgent lights explode. They bring forth immediate spiritual angst. One does not regard the regal magnificence of the urban landscape-it is neither cast aside, nor left behind the curtains, as dramatism of modern perception takes over. One regards not a city museum for curious crowds, but one beholds the habitat of our days where we seek, love, fight, suffer. That art defines perception.
  • Aleksandr Kamensky Что значит быть современным? Ответ на этот вопрос ищут молодые художники. — Правда, 9 сентября 1988. (Rus)