Alexander Sokurov Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition

Alexander Sokurov, Gospel of Saint Luke, Chapter 15, The Return of the Prodigal Son, at the Venice Art Biennale 2019

Alexander Sokurov The Russian Pavilion exhibits Alexander Sokurov's works presented in front of excerpts from his films and paintings and sculptures he created especially for this exhibition.

This artistic performance was made with the help of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

Alexander Sokurov's works are offered in a dramatic atmosphere in front of excerpts from his films with apocalyptic images.

The theme of this exhibition of sculptures and paintings by Alexander Sokurov is the prodigal son's return.

According to Saint Luke, the parable of chapter 15 of the Gospel is here put into images and sculptures.

Alexander Sokurov

“A man had two sons.

The youngest said to his father, “Father, give me the share of property that is due to me.”

And he shared his assets with them.

A few days later, the youngest son, having gathered everything together, went to a distant land, and he dissipated his property, thereby leading a life of a prodigal.

When he had spent everything, there came a great famine in this country, and he began to feel the need.

And he went to work for an inhabitant of this land, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

And he would have liked to fill his belly with the carobs that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.

Alexander Sokurov Then, returning to himself, he said, “How many of my father's servants have too much bread, and I am starving here! ”

I will rise up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy of being called your son: treat me as one of your servants.”

And he got up and went to his father. As he was still far away, his father saw him, and, moved with compassion, he ran, threw himself at his neck, and covered him with kisses.

The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy of being called your son.”

But the father said to his servants, “Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on; put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf, kill it; and let us eat, let us feast:

Alexander Sokurov For this, my son was dead, and he is alive again; he was lost and has been found.”

And they started to feast.

Her eldest son was in the fields. When he returned, when he approached the house, he heard music and choruses.

Having called one of the servants, he asked what it could be.

The other said, “Your brother has arrived, and your father killed the fatted calf because he found it well again.”

So he got angry, and he didn't want to go in. Her father went out to pray to her.

And he answered his father:

Alexander Sokurov “For so many years, I have served you without ever having transgressed an order from you, and you have never given me a kid to feast with my friends.

But when your son came back, who devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him! ”

He said to her: “You, my child, are always with me, and everything that is mine is yours.

But we had to feast and rejoice, for this your brother was dead, and he came back to life; he was lost, and he was found.”
Gospel according to Saint Luke, Chapter 15