Museum of Modern Art

The Moscow Museum of Modern Art holds a special place in the cultural life of the capital. It is the first state institution in Russia entirely dedicated to the art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Since its opening in 1999, the museum has become one of the key venues for showcasing works by contemporary artists and avant-garde classics.

History and Development of the Museum

The museum was founded and is directed by the renowned sculptor and architect Zurab Tsereteli. His personal collection laid the foundation for the future museum collection. Over the years, the institution has repeatedly expanded its scope and gained recognition from both experts and the general public. Today, the museum's collection includes several thousand exhibits. The collection is constantly replenished with new works by both domestic and foreign artists. The museum actively supports the development of contemporary art in Russia, acquiring works by both established masters and emerging artists.

Architectural Features of the Main Building

The main museum building is located at 25 Petrovka Street, in a historic 18th-century mansion. This architectural landmark was designed by the outstanding architect Matvey Kazakov for the merchant Gubin. The building is executed in the style of Russian classicism and represents an example of architectural mastery of that period. Visitors are greeted at the entrance by a massive arch, symbolizing the new purpose of the historic mansion. The courtyard in front of the museum has been transformed into an open exhibition space, featuring numerous sculptures and art objects. Most of the works displayed here belong to Zurab Tsereteli.

Fusion of Eras and Styles

The choice of historic mansions for housing museum collections is deliberate. The juxtaposition of different eras and artistic movements creates a unique atmosphere, allowing visitors to travel through time. This combination of classical architecture and contemporary art reflects postmodern ideas about the interplay of styles and cultural codes.

Museum Venues in Central Moscow

The Moscow Museum of Modern Art's collection is spread across several locations in the historic center of the capital. Each building has its own characteristics and history.

Yermolaevsky Lane Branch

The museum's second building is located at 17 Yermolaevsky Lane. This building is known for previously housing the Moscow Architectural Society and later the Moscow Union of Artists. Entrance to this venue is free for all visitors.

Exhibition Space on Tverskoy Boulevard

Since 2007, an additional museum venue has operated at 9 Tverskoy Boulevard. The premises are mainly used for temporary exhibitions and special projects.

Building on Gogolevsky Boulevard

Another exhibition location is housed in a historic building designed by architect Matvey Kazakov at 10 Gogolevsky Boulevard. The venue regularly hosts themed contemporary art exhibitions.

Zurab Tsereteli Museum

The collection dedicated to the museum's founder is located at 15 Bolshaya Gruzinskaya Street. The exhibition features works by the famous sculptor and architect.

Additional Institutions

The museum complex also includes the Vadim Sidur Museum of Contemporary Sculpture on Novogireevskaya Street and the Nalbandyan Museum-Workshop on Tverskaya Street.

Museum Collection: From Avant-Garde Classics to Contemporary Artists

The Moscow Museum of Modern Art Collection represents the main stages of avant-garde art development. While the majority of the collection consists of works by Russian authors, foreign masters also hold a significant place in the exhibition.

Classics of Russian Avant-Garde

The core of the museum collection comprises works by early 20th-century artists. Many pieces were acquired at auctions and galleries in Europe and the USA, thus returning to Russia from abroad. The exhibition features paintings by Kazimir Malevich, Marc Chagall, Natalia Goncharova, and Mikhail Larionov. Visitors can also see works by Aristarkh Lentulov, Vladimir Tatlin, Pavel Filonov, and Wassily Kandinsky, as well as sculptures by Alexander Archipenko and Ossip Zadkine.

Unique Collection of Niko Pirosmani

The museum is proud of its collection of works by the Georgian primitivist artist Niko Pirosmani. This collection is considered one of the most significant in Russia and holds great artistic value.

Foreign Masters

The exhibition features graphic works by Pablo Picasso, Fernand Léger, Joan Miró, and Giorgio de Chirico. The sculpture collection includes works by Salvador Dalí, Arman, and Arnaldo Pomodoro. Among the paintings, notable works include pieces by Henri Rousseau and Françoise Gilot, as well as installations by the Japanese artist Yukinori Yanaga.

Art of Nonconformism

A substantial section of the exhibition is devoted to the works of nonconformist artists from the 1960s-1980s. Here, visitors can see works by Ilya Kabakov, Anatoly Zverev, Vladimir Yakovlev, Vladimir Nemukhin. The collection also features works by the duo Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid, as well as pieces by Oscar Rabin, Dmitry Krasnopevcev, Leonid Shvartsman, and Oleg Tselkov.

Contemporary Art

The museum shows great interest in current artistic trends. Exhibitions regularly feature works by contemporary authors, including Oleg Kulik, Andrey Bartenev, Viktor Pivovarov, and Boris Orlov.

Exhibitions and Cultural Programs

The museum halls house many fascinating exhibits. Some are quite unusual, such as a dark room with installations made from wooden construction kits and three-liter jars. Alongside experimental works, the museum displays traditional pieces by avant-garde classics.

Temporary Exhibitions

The permanent exhibition is complemented by regular thematic exhibitions. They showcase works by both emerging artists and recognized leaders of contemporary art. All presented works date from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Educational Programs

The museum is not only an exhibition space but also a creative hub. It runs a contemporary art school, "Free Workshops", and a children's studio "Fantasy". Educational programs are organized for visitors of all ages.

Events and Activities

In addition to exhibitions, the museum regularly hosts symposia and academic conferences. Overview, composite, and thematic tours are organized, as well as programs for high school and university students. Special lectures are offered for young children and school-age visitors. Creative meetings, festivals, and other cultural events are also held.

Practical Information for Visitors

Opening Hours

Most Moscow Museum of Modern Art branches are open from Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00–21:00. Monday is closed. The Vadim Sidur Museum of Contemporary Sculpture and the Nalbandyan Museum-Workshop are open from Wednesday to Sunday, 14:00–21:00. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Ticket Prices

Visitors can purchase tickets for individual venues or a single ticket for all museum buildings. Every third Sunday of the month is free admission. Tickets for the Petrovka or Gogolevsky Boulevard branches cost 350 rubles for a full ticket and 150 rubles for a discounted ticket. Entry to the Vadim Sidur Museum or the Tverskoy branch costs 150 rubles, with a discounted ticket at 50 rubles. Admission to the Yermolaevsky Lane branch is free. A single ticket for all venues costs 800 rubles, with a discounted version at 400 rubles. Combined tickets for two or three venues are also available, ranging from 200 to 400 rubles.

How to Get to the Main Building

The Petrovka Museum is conveniently located in central Moscow. The nearest metro stations are Chekhovskaya on Strastnoy Boulevard (6 minutes on foot) and Trubnaya on Petrovsky Boulevard (9 minutes on foot). Bus number с511 goes to the "Petrovskie Vorota" stop.

Transport to Other Venues

The Yermolaevsky Lane building is best reached from Mayakovskaya metro station, 600 meters away. Nearby is the "Malaya Bronnaya Street" bus stop, served by buses 239, B, and с369. The Tverskoy Boulevard museum branch is a 10–15 minute walk or accessible by bus to the "Nikitkiye Vorota" stop. Nearest metro stations are Tverskaya and Pushkinskaya. The Gogolevsky Boulevard branch is 300 meters from Kropotkinskaya metro station. Nearby is the "Sivtsev Vrazhek" bus stop on route m5.

The Museum's Significance in the Cultural Life of the Capital

The Moscow Museum of Modern Art, often abbreviated as MMOMA, is one of the most active participants in Moscow's art scene. The museum's exhibition venues are among the most sought-after in the city. The organizers successfully combined historical architecture with contemporary art, creating a dialogue between eras and styles. The museum continues to grow, constantly expanding its collection and exhibition activities. Thanks to its diverse programs and projects, the institution attracts a wide audience and promotes contemporary art in Russia.