“ArtChronika” Foundation presents the biggest independent national Russian award in contemporary art – “Kandinsky Prize”.

The award was established in 2007 on Shalva Breus’ initiative, the publisher of the Artchronika magazine and the president of the eponymous foundation. We have followed a tradition of naming the award after a distinguished artist. Kandinsky is more than a painter, he is a symbol of novelty and a historical figure in our culture, his heritage has provided a solid foundation for cultural exchange in the world of art. The Kandinsky Prize objectives are: the support and development of Russian contemporary art and securing of its positions not only in Russia but also on the world stage.

The Kandinsky Prize fund is 50 thousand euros, which corresponds with international practice in the sphere of contemporary art prizes, such as the Turner Prize in the UK or the Marcel Duchamp Prize in France.

The prize is awarded in the following nominations:

- Project of the Year – € 40,000
- Young Artist of the Year (under 35) – € 10,000

Any Russian artist without exception may be the candidate for the Kandinsky Prize: the receipt of applications from the participants based on the principle of self-nomination. The winners are determined by an international jury, with the participation of the council of experts. Over the past five years the winners in the main nomination were: Anatoly Osmolovsky, Alexey Beliayev-Guintovt, Vadim Zakharov, Alexander Brodsky, Yriy Albert, AES+F and Grisha Bruskin.

Aside from monetary compensation, artists receive an opportunity to participate in exibitions. The Prize wasn’t intended to be a one-time event, but a continual working process, including not only presentation of awards, but also shows in Moscow and abroad. The Kandinsky Prize nominees’ exhibitions are among the most significant events in Russian cultural life. In 2011 the Prize exhibition at the Central House
of Artists in Moscow was attended by more than 35,000 people – an absolute record for one of the largest exhibition venues in Russia.

The works of the finalists and the winners of the Kandinsky Prize were exhibited with a great success in Riga, Berlin, London and Barcelona.

Kandinsky Prize ceremonies traditionally attract the attention by vivid performances (special performances for the cememony were presented by: Robert Wilson, Gao Brothers, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Marina Abramovic, Lev Rubinstein) and the lectures of famous art theorists -
Valery Podoroga, Boris Groys, Robert Storr, Tim Marlow and Peter Greenaway.

Along with the British Turner Prize and the French Marcel Duchamp Prize, Kandinsky Prize is considered to be one of the most important national awards in the contemporary art field.

Irina Nakhova

Born in 1955, she graduated from the Moscow Polygraphic Institute (1978). Since 1989 she has held over 30 solo shows in Moscow, London, Barcelona, Salzburg, New York, Chicago and other cities in Europe and the United States. Was longlisted for the 2007 and 2011 Kandinsky Prize in the Project of the Year category. Her works are held by the National Center for Contemporary Arts in Moscow and others.