"My Melodia" (2023)
Sculptural work made of vinyl records from Melodiya, barbell
In his practice, Nikolay Karabinovich focuses on social histories of Eastern Europe combining historical research and collective and personal memory.
The artist’s installation for Survival Kit 14 juxtaposes records from the famous Soviet record label Melodiya which had one leg in Riga, with self-drawn covers and a barbell made from the records. His research on records of music from the countries of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, serves as a map of sorts of Soviet political tendencies through music. For example, what is an Angolan pop record that Melodiya was commissioned to produce revealing about the changing nature of political leanings and alliances?
Nikolay Karabinovych's work can also be seen in the sister-exhibition Long-distance Friendships at the 14th Kaunas Biennial.
/ Photo credit: Kristīne Madjare / Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art