Our studio in Moscow Culture House 1950

Mariam Aslamazian created this oil on canvas painting of her Moscow studio, but it has more to tell us than first meets the eye. Aslamazian has opted for a close vantage point, capturing an intimate and private moment, and one that draws our attention to the tools of her trade. In the foreground we see paintbrushes, bottles, and jars, all necessary in the practice of painting; these tools, and the hand-made art, stand in contrast to the view outside the window, of Soviet Moscow. The visible architecture is imposing, large, and permanent; by contrast, art feels intimate, small, and temporary. By framing art against architecture, Aslamazian may be asking a deeper question about the intersection of art, labor, and society. While the painting gives us a glimpse into the studio, we are made to think about the relationship between art, architecture, and modes of production.