Press Release, Art Exhibition

Once Upon A Time, new animatronic sculptures by Yuliya Lanina

at BLACKBOX, 1017-A West Milton Street, Austin, Texas 78704

Artist Opening: Friday, May 22nd, 2015, 6-9 pm, 

Exhibiton: May 22 – June 6, 2015

Special Event: Artist Hosted Poetry Reading, May 28th, 7:30pm at BLACKBOX.

Blackbox Gallery invites the public for an exhibition of new work by Yuliya Lanina of her signature mechanical sculptures with original music by Yevgeniy Sharlat.  Also on exhibition will be new works on canvas and paper, doll sculptures and a short film, “Mishka”.

Once Upon a Time is a series of small-scale mechanical sculptures based on traditional Russian folk tales. Collectively, they examine the underlying moralistic messages and horrors of fairy tales and recreate them from a perspective of child empowerment.  Each piece is a wind-up toy complete with a painted wooden box with moving figures, as well as music clockwork that plays a custom-composed melody by Yevgeniy Sharlat, particular to each scene.  Four distinguished Austin poets, Lisa Olstein, Dean Young, Carrie Fountain, and Cecily Parks, have written verses inspired by each sculpture. On May 28th at 7:30, Blackbox will host an evening of poetry with these writers.

Please join us to experience these wonderful new inventions during the artist reception, Friday, May 22nd from 6-9 pm. If you cannot make the opening night, the show will be open from 11am-4pm on Saturdays, during the exhibition, and by appointment until June 6th.   

About the Artist

Born in Russia, Yuliya Lanina relocated from New York City to Austin, where she now lives and works.  Her works range from paintings and mechanical sculptures to animations and video.  She strives to create a multi-dimensional and interactive experience for the viewer by fusing the lines between sculpture, painting and animation. Lanina received her Bachelors of Fine Arts from Purchase College of Art and Design in New York and then her Masters of Fine Arts from Hunter College in New York.  She has exhibited extensively nationally and internationally including at the Seoul Art Museum in Korea, Moscow Museum of Modern Art in Russia and Women and Their Work in Austin, Texas.

About BLACKBOX

Blackbox  is an art space that presents contemporary art exhibitions and diverse creative ventures. Blackbox is located at the home of its facilitators, Stella and Leon Alesi, at 1017-A West Milton St, Austin, Texas 78704. Open from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, during exhibitions, and by appointment.  

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

For more information: Leon Alesi, Gallery Director, 512.460.9756 or blackboxaustin@gmail.com

Image: Red Hood, music box sculpture by Yuliya Lanina, 6”(w) x 3.5”(d) x 9”(h), 2015

Original music by Yevgeniy Sharlat, Technical development by Theodore Johnson