Maxim Kantor, painter, graphic artist and writer, was born in Moscow in 1957 and studied there at the Polygraphic Institute. Since his exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 1997 at the latest, he has been one of the most internationally renowned artists with Russian roots. He lives and works on the French Ile de Ré, in Berlin and Oxford.
Philipp Blom, author, historian and journalist, curates and moderates the event series Torn Years. Discussions with international guests will examine the torn years of the last hundred years, focussing on specific topics. With Maxim Kantor and his novel Red Light, developments in the Soviet Union and Russia will take centre stage.
The event will be held in English.
Kantor's novel Red light was published in German by Paul Zsolnay Verlag Vienna at the beginning of 2018.
A portrait of Russia, a war and picaresque novel, a thriller. From the Russian Revolution to the end of the USSR, from the rise of Hitler to Putin's war in Crimea: a powerful novel of a violent century. (ISBN 978-3-552-05853-8)
The Painting Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna as a guest of the Theatermuseum is showing the exhibition from 4 October 2018 - 20 January 2019 Correspondence. Bosch & Kantor - Maxim Kantor The Last Judgement with paintings by Maxim Kantor in juxtaposition to Hieronymus Bosch's Viennese World Court.