Valeriy Gerlovin and Rimma Gerlovina

The prints appear in overall good state. Held in modern metal frames and under glass. Unexamined out of frames.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In Russian art the tradition of body decoration goes back to the Futurists, who, in their efforts to bring Futurism to the public, walked through the streets with their faces painted. The work of the important conceptual artists Rimma and Valeriy Gerlovin draws on this practice. Their work is informed by other aspects of Russian Futurism as well; their extensive use of language is related to  the Futurists' creation of a nonsensical, "transrational" language called zaum. In addition, the Gerlovins' conceptual photographic work reflects conceptual art's rejection of traditional materials.

The Gerlovins use their own bodies as both sites for art and a means to convey ideas. Describing their bodies as "human parchment for visual metaphysical formulas" and "rosaries containing prayers and spells," they write numbers, words, and symbols across their faces. Their bodies thus become subject, object, and expressive medium, the messenger and the message. The artists term their photographs "still performances," reflecting a carefully composed combination of close-up portraiture and theatrical pantomime. Their works make reference to Eastern philosophy, Christian iconography, and numerology.

The Gerlovins always begin their projects with drawings. They select the images for their photographs from hundreds of concepts outlined on paper. The resulting linguistic and numerological systems are at once scientific and mystical.