Context
Rethinking the traditions of wooden architecture in contemporary art.
Preserved wooden houses with platbands in Tula
Despite the development of stone architecture, wooden buildings dominated Tula’s cityscape for a long time and defined its appearance. With the onset of industrialization and urbanization, many of these wooden houses – once owned by merchants and peasants – were converted into multi-family housing for factory workers. By the 21st century, however, many of these structures had lost their integrity, suffered from fires, or were demolished.
The technique of wooden assemblage, as a contemporary art form, plays an important role in rethinking wooden architecture. It becomes a tool for understanding its historical and cultural significance and for drawing attention to the problems of preserving architectural heritage.
In the assemblages, Alexey Luka combines traditional elements and modern artistic language, allowing viewers to perceive wooden architecture as something connected not only to the past, but also to the present. Traditional art becomes a source of inspiration for the author and a way to initiate a conversation about the meaning of the material in a contemporary context.
The technique of wooden assemblage, as a contemporary art form, plays an important role in rethinking wooden architecture. It becomes a tool for understanding its historical and cultural significance and for drawing attention to the problems of preserving architectural heritage.
In the assemblages, Alexey Luka combines traditional elements and modern artistic language, allowing viewers to perceive wooden architecture as something connected not only to the past, but also to the present. Traditional art becomes a source of inspiration for the author and a way to initiate a conversation about the meaning of the material in a contemporary context.
Despite the development of stone architecture, wooden buildings dominated Tula’s cityscape for a long time and defined its appearance. With the onset of industrialization and urbanization, many of these wooden houses – once owned by merchants and peasants – were converted into multi-family housing for factory workers. By the 21st century, however, many of these structures had lost their integrity, suffered from fires, or were demolished.
The technique of wooden assemblage, as a contemporary art form, plays an important role in rethinking wooden architecture. It becomes a tool for understanding its historical and cultural significance and for drawing attention to the problems of preserving architectural heritage.
In the assemblages, Alexey Luka combines traditional elements and modern artistic language, allowing viewers to perceive wooden architecture as something connected not only to the past, but also to the present. Traditional art becomes a source of inspiration for the author and a way to initiate a conversation about the meaning of the material in a contemporary context.
The technique of wooden assemblage, as a contemporary art form, plays an important role in rethinking wooden architecture. It becomes a tool for understanding its historical and cultural significance and for drawing attention to the problems of preserving architectural heritage.
In the assemblages, Alexey Luka combines traditional elements and modern artistic language, allowing viewers to perceive wooden architecture as something connected not only to the past, but also to the present. Traditional art becomes a source of inspiration for the author and a way to initiate a conversation about the meaning of the material in a contemporary context.
Preserved wooden houses with platbands in Tula
- Alexey LukaArtistWorks related to wood are aimed at drawing attention to the problem of disappearance of wooden architecture. It is cool to show different possibilities of using this material. Popularization of work with wood is one of the main goals of my art.
- Alexey LukaArtistWorks related to wood are aimed at drawing attention to the problem of disappearance of wooden architecture. It is cool to show different possibilities of using this material. Popularization of work with wood is one of the main goals of my art.
Assemblage details
Alexey Luka's creative vision is turned towards abstract art, he works extensively with architectural form and texture of materials, creating works in collage and assemblage techniques. Throughout his artistic career, Luka has remained committed to a restrained, predominantly warm color palette and precise approach to materials. His work does not become a natural part of the building, but gives the viewer a new interpretation of it, appearing as a kind of puzzle to be deciphered and put together.
The assemblage is called “From Old to New”. Composed of wood and plywood, it serves as a vivid metaphor for change and transformation. Each individual component in this work is not just an element, but a story that continues in the next layer. This creates a visual dynamic that draws the viewer in and encourages reflection on the interconnection between the parts.
The assemblage is called “From Old to New”. Composed of wood and plywood, it serves as a vivid metaphor for change and transformation. Each individual component in this work is not just an element, but a story that continues in the next layer. This creates a visual dynamic that draws the viewer in and encourages reflection on the interconnection between the parts.
Alexey Luka's creative vision is turned towards abstract art, he works extensively with architectural form and texture of materials, creating works in collage and assemblage techniques. Throughout his artistic career, Luka has remained committed to a restrained, predominantly warm color palette and precise approach to materials. His work does not become a natural part of the building, but gives the viewer a new interpretation of it, appearing as a kind of puzzle to be deciphered and put together.
The assemblage is called “From Old to New”. Composed of wood and plywood, it serves as a vivid metaphor for change and transformation. Each individual component in this work is not just an element, but a story that continues in the next layer. This creates a visual dynamic that draws the viewer in and encourages reflection on the interconnection between the parts.
The assemblage is called “From Old to New”. Composed of wood and plywood, it serves as a vivid metaphor for change and transformation. Each individual component in this work is not just an element, but a story that continues in the next layer. This creates a visual dynamic that draws the viewer in and encourages reflection on the interconnection between the parts.
Assemblage details
Process
Art object form: assemblage
Style: abstract
Material: different textures of wood and plywood, paint, varnish
Style: abstract
Material: different textures of wood and plywood, paint, varnish
The two-meter-high assemblage structure was created in Alexey Luka's workshop in Moscow. The assembly process took several weeks, after which the work was installed in Tula in one day. The basis of the composition is a wooden frame, on which elements of different sizes and shapes are strung using special fasteners.
A distinctive feature of Alexey Luka's work is the use of pastel colors that harmonize with the natural texture of wood. However, in this piece, the artist boldly steps beyond his usual palette by introducing a vibrant yellow – a deliberate experiment and a move outside his own creative boundaries.
Under the main structure is a functional metal chair, the back of which continues the lines and forms of the assemblage composition. This element enhances the sense of three-dimensionality and engages the viewer in interaction. The work also involves tactile interaction: viewers are welcome to touch the assemblage, explore its texture, and take photos of the details.
Under the main structure is a functional metal chair, the back of which continues the lines and forms of the assemblage composition. This element enhances the sense of three-dimensionality and engages the viewer in interaction. The work also involves tactile interaction: viewers are welcome to touch the assemblage, explore its texture, and take photos of the details.
The two-meter-high assemblage structure was created in Alexey Luka's workshop in Moscow. The assembly process took several weeks, after which the work was installed in Tula in one day. The basis of the composition is a wooden frame, on which elements of different sizes and shapes are strung using special fasteners.
A distinctive feature of Alexey Luka's work is the use of pastel colors that harmonize with the natural texture of wood. However, in this piece, the artist boldly steps beyond his usual palette by introducing a vibrant yellow – a deliberate experiment and a move outside his own creative boundaries.
Under the main structure is a functional metal chair, the back of which continues the lines and forms of the assemblage composition. This element enhances the sense of three-dimensionality and engages the viewer in interaction. The work also involves tactile interaction: viewers are welcome to touch the assemblage, explore its texture, and take photos of the details.
Under the main structure is a functional metal chair, the back of which continues the lines and forms of the assemblage composition. This element enhances the sense of three-dimensionality and engages the viewer in interaction. The work also involves tactile interaction: viewers are welcome to touch the assemblage, explore its texture, and take photos of the details.
Author
- Alexey Luka (Moscow)ArtistMoscow-based artist, engaged in street art for over 20 years. Luca works a lot with architectural form and texture of materials, creating works in collage and assemblage techniques and using various media, whether painting, graphics, objects, installations and site-specific projects.
Moscow-based artist, engaged in street art for over 20 years. Luca works a lot with architectural form and texture of materials, creating works in collage and assemblage techniques and using various media, whether painting, graphics, objects, installations and site-specific projects.
Mural on the shop floor in Vyksa, 2019
Reading Houses, St. Petersburg, 2022
Wooden assemblage for a residential house in Nizhny Novgorod, 2014
Border Line, 2016
People who worked on the assemblage
Alexey Luka
Artist
Anna Koltyrina
Executive Producer
Victor Dyuzhev
Technical Director
Maria Kochneva
Executive producer of the project
Maria Ushakova
Creative producer of the project
Polina Ej
Project Manager
Yulia Bulygina
Communications Manager
Ivan Fiev
Development Director
Anton Seleznev
Photographer
Roman Vlasov
Videographer