Sergei Alipov has been among Russia’s leading sculptors since his first exhibits in the late 1970s. Among his many widely-praised works are his 1991 monument to Alfred Nobel (St Petersburg) and his 2016 monument to the poet Nikolai Klyuev in the poet’s hometown, Vytegra (Vologda region).

Alipov will talk about the highly contentious erection of new and removal of old public statues across the former Soviet Union – a process which has, in the last two decades, been one of the most visible signs of the ongoing disputes about history, responsibility, nationality, and identity. His talk will provide the opportunity not only to reflect on these processes in the post-Soviet space, but also on somewhat analogous issues that are proving to be very contentious in the United States today.

Light refreshments will be served.