Bases 

Editor: Konstantin Korobov's oil painting, "Bases", presents us with quite the striking image. I'm immediately drawn to the contrasting textures – the smooth hide of the bull juxtaposed against the almost fossilized skin of the fish-like creature. What strikes you as you view the artwork? Curator: The formal interplay between these two figures immediately suggests a hierarchy or symbiosis structured through vertical composition and variations of light and shadow. Notice how Korobov renders the forms with a stark tonal range. The chromatic intensity draws the eye towards the apex – the luminescent red gemstone above the bull. The forms suggest not merely juxtaposition but superimposition. Editor: So you’re saying the way the artist has arranged these shapes and the gradations in colour aren't just for aesthetics, but hint at a more complex relationship between these elements? What do you make of the composition choice with the bull perched on the fish-like creature? Curator: Precisely. We observe a dynamic layering, moving from the archaic fish form to the bull – terrestrial virility - culminating in the almost divine gem. It forms a pyramid-like hierarchy within the canvas. Editor: The pyramid composition definitely anchors my understanding. So it’s less about ‘what does it mean’ and more about ‘how does the structure inform its meaning’? Curator: Yes, focus on the intrinsic organization of the artwork. Korobov masterfully directs our perception through strategic distribution of form and tonality. Note the details—the ridges on the fish and how that textural component contrasts with the bull, yet also supports the composition as a whole. Editor: It definitely enriches our experience when you detach the historical context from the viewing! Thank you! Curator: The artist expertly created a visually rich and thought-provoking art experience by arranging shapes.