This issue of Sreda online magazine features a new series of graphic works by Slava Nesterov, the alumni of the Institute for Contemporary Art.

“Tops&Roots” is a coloring book in which the artist embodies the peculiarities of constructing visual images in the context of cultural dialogue. The cover resembles an old Russian binding and there are 10 graphic works made by screen printing in special black pockets of the book. Stylistically, the works refer to illustrations by the Russian artist and member of the Mir Iskusstva Ivan Bilibin, who combined Russian popular prints and the coloristic variety of the Japanese artist and engraver Katsushika Hokusai in his works. In the black-and-white plots of the coloring book, Nesterov brings elements from Japanese manga, images of biomorphic creatures, non-existent plants, motifs of Chud images, modern horror aesthetics. All elements create a visual story, building a new mythological space outside of time.