Bernaskoni

MESSAGE TO KAZIMIR.

Art object.

project for a reconstruction of Kazimir Malevich's last will

“A Message to Kazimir” is an attempt to reconstruct the last will of Kazimir Malevich.
The project is represented by three spatial structures:
1. a stone sarcophagus for the coffin;
2. a cross-shaped coffin made of glass;
3. a typeface design for Daniil Kharms text “A Message to Kazimir” (1935).

Concept

A sarcophagus is made of black polished panels of synthetic stone.
The structural design is based on crisscrossed stiffening ribs.
The text of the poem by D.Kharms goes in one line along the perimeter of the sarcophagus.
The coffin is a vessel of transparent and frosted glass composed of two parts. There is a square light-absorbing battery placed at the end of the short part of the cross-like vessel; a direct red spotlight is situated at the end of the long side.
The second contact is an electrolyte that fills half of the vessel, which loops the circuit when the vessel is being closed. When the circuit is looped the black square begins to absorb the light and accumulate electricity; the spotlight projecting a red circle onto the frosted glass.

Technology

Credits

Project: MESSAGE TO KAZIMIR
Function: art object
Place: Russia, Moscow,
​Schusev state museum of architecrure
Year: 2002
Client: Corian Dupont
Size: 2000 х 2000 х 800 mm
Materials: artificial stone,
glass, electric cable,
electrolyte, solar battery,
LED light

Architects:
Boris Bernaskoni
Sergey Morey

Workscope:
Research
Historical reconstruction
Industrial design
Supervision