Graffiti selfie: Why not emblazon your portrait onto city architecture?

Vladimir Abikh

Do you know what mascaron is? Don't confuse it with mascarpone cheese. Mascaron is an architectural decorative element that looks like the head of a human or animal, and it has nothing in common with frightening gargoyles. Quite the opposite, they often have a romantic or comical significance.

Vladimir Abikh

Russian artist Vladimir Abikh decided to revive this tradition of putting faces on facades, which was popular in 18th century Russia. He puts his gypsum snapshot on St. Petersburg's buildings, without hiding the fact that egoism is often an artist's main driving force.

Vladimir Abikh

“But committing this act in the present time doesn't seem to be possible. The historical process turned into super speed level,” Abikh says in his manifesto, adding that new technologies, the Internet and selfie addiction don’t allow bigger historical trends and the major senses to form.

Vladimir Abikh

“Large-scale historical layers, preceding the post-industrial era, have given way to Instagram history.”

Vladimir Abikh

According to the artist, the best possible route to immortality is by imitation and leaving a face on a city’s architectural ensemble.

Vladimir Abikh

Read more: The Cyrillic script is conquering the world thanks to Russian artist Pokras Lampas

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