Following the Cosmoscow preview, the entire art scene decided to relax and celebrate the opening of the main Russian fair. For this occasion, after-parties took place with great fanfare across several venues. We are telling the story of how different segments of the art world are celebrating.
The original plan was to visit Kabare-Shum, see the recently opened St. Petersburg project, and drive to the Fabula gallery by midnight. However, right at the exhibition opening, we learned about the event from Zoia Galeeva, who is recognized as Cosmoscow’s collector of the year. Plans were abruptly adjusted, and it became clear that we absolutely had to see what was happening at the Geometry Foundation.
Arriving exactly at 10:00 PM, we found ourselves at a genuine social event. It was impossible to leave without greeting everyone and discussing the galleries' booths—who was represented where, and who had bought or planned to purchase what. Over the next two hours, practically all the major artists, collectors, and art figures from the fair materialized here in one form or another. Slowly but surely, this vibrant crowd moved to the foundation’s balcony and split into small groups. The intimate event eventually returned to its original atmosphere, and yes, everyone danced to Madonna and Charli XCX.
To be honest, by that point, we needed to move on to make it to the fabula gallery. We have to mention the wonderful security at Crystal House of Culture, who met us and helped us get into the gallery, simply because our legs were starting to give out. Inside the House of Culture, we were enveloped by the energy wave emanating from Cassette, who had gathered a motley crew of PR specialists, gallerists, neufs, and young artists around him. After half an hour—two drinks and a great dance—collectors and socialites, who had recently been standing romantically on the balcony of the Geometry Foundation, started heading to the dance floor. By the time Kirill Shapovalov dropped his first track, this diverse group seemed like one single entity, ready to dissolve into the techno rhythms.
For us, it ended prosaically—around 3 o’clock our legs gave out, and the tech crew couldn’t manage the rescue, so Morpheus won. We had to escape. We hope everything turned out well and the afterparty was as excellent as the pre-show of the fair.
