The main vices of man. Monument "Children - victims of adult vices" on Bolotnaya Square Drug Addiction and Prostitution

“Children are victims of the vices of adults” is a sculptural composition by the artist and sculptor Mikhail Shemyakin, set in a park near Bolotnaya Square, set in 2001. List of vices (from left to right): Drug addiction, Prostitution, Theft, Alcoholism, Ignorance, Pseudo-science (Irresponsible science), Indifference (center), Propaganda of violence, Sadism, Pillory for those without memory, Exploitation of child labor, Poverty and War .
For some reason, I don’t want to talk about this monument in my own words, I’d rather give a few quotes from the artist himself and not only about his life and how this composition appeared.

"Luzhkov called me and said that he was instructing me to create such a monument. And he gave me a piece of paper on which the vices were listed. The order was unexpected and strange. Luzhkov stunned me. Firstly, I knew that the consciousness of a post-Soviet person was accustomed to urban sculptures obviously realistic. And when they say: "Depict the vice" child prostitution "or" sadism "(a total of 13 vices were named!), You have great doubts. At first I wanted to refuse, because I had a vague idea of ​​how this composition could be brought to life And only six months later I came to a decision ... "

In my opinion, this is not a monument to vices, and not a monument to "children - victims of vices", but a monument to us adults, what we become, committing vicious acts knowingly or accidentally - with donkey heads, fat bellies, closed eyes and money bags. This is a very powerful monument, serious, by no means entertaining and of course not for children, but completely for adults. Natalya Leonova, local historian.

The monument was erected not to children, but to vices ... This frightening symbolism is quite in the spirit of Masonic lodges, secret orders such as the Rosicrucians, occult sects ... Identifying themselves with them (the children from the sculptural composition), our living children will learn the psychology of the victim and will not be able to resist violence, evil...
The meaning (of the installation of the monument) is to legalize that satanic content that has always been hidden, not pulled to the surface. To him, to this satanic element, they probably want to accustom, tame people, they want to show that it is not so scary, but very good ...
The main thing is not to reconcile with evil. Is it not enough that the monument was erected? How many monuments stood, and then they were demolished, and this happened even throughout our lives. It is necessary to demand that the "monument to vices" be removed from the Russian land. Vera Avramenkova, Doctor of Psychology, one of the authors of the expertise in the Pussy Riot case. Excerpts from an interview in 2001.

Mikhail Shemyakin worked as a postman, watchman, scaffolder in the Hermitage. In the 60s he was subjected to compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital, after which he lived in the Pskov-Caves Monastery as a novice. In 1971, he was deprived of Soviet citizenship and expelled from the country.

I did not engage in any "dissidence", I was simply recorded as a dissident. And I just painted pictures and tried to see the world with my own eyes.

Shemyakin lives in Paris, then moves to New York. In 1989, the return of Shemyakin's work to post-communist Russia began.

“I serve Russia, but here today I still feel like a foreigner, an alien, because I don’t fit into this society. ...I live in Russia, which is not here, but somewhere higher. But, as they say, they don’t choose relatives, but I belong to this country in my heart and soul. I serve her and will serve her - this is my duty, this is my duty, this is my love for her, for the people, which I feel very, very sorry for.

It is better to watch Shemyakin not in Moscow, but in St. Petersburg, where his work is presented in a rather versatile way: both monuments (including the Peter and Paul Fortress), and window dressing of the Eliseevsky store, and ballets at the Mariinsky Theater. But even in Moscow there is an opportunity to get acquainted with another facet of his work - in company stores

A large, interesting and not very well-known monument is located in the very center of Moscow, in the park on Bolotnaya Square. It is called "Children - victims of the vices of adults." Although a monument, in the classical sense of the word, it probably cannot be called. This is a whole sculptural composition, a whole story that cannot be told in a nutshell.

He appeared in the capital on September 2, 2001 on City Day. Its author is Mikhail Shemyakin. According to the artist, when he first conceived the composition, he wanted one thing - for people to think about saving today's and future generations. Many, by the way, at that time were against its installation near the Kremlin. They even assembled a special commission in the Duma of the capital, and she also spoke out against it. But the then mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, weighed everything and gave the go-ahead.

The monument really looks ambiguous and unusual. It is included in the top 10 most scandalous monuments in Moscow. The composition consists of 15 figures, two of which are small children - a boy and a girl of 10 years old. They are located in the very center. Like everyone at this age, they play ball, they have books of fairy tales under their feet. But the children are blindfolded, they do not see that 13 terrible tall figures are standing around, pulling their arms-tentacles towards them. Each statue personifies some kind of vice that can corrupt children's souls and take possession of them forever.

It is worth describing each in detail (from left to right):

• Addiction. A thin man in a tailcoat and bow tie, somewhat reminiscent of Count Dracula. A syringe in one hand and a bag of heroin in the other.
• Prostitution. This vice is represented in the form of a vile toad with bulging eyes, a deliberately elongated mouth and a magnificent bust. Her whole body is covered with warts, and snakes curl around her belt.
• Theft. A cunning pig that turned its back, obviously hiding something. She has a bag of money in one hand.
• Alcoholism. A fat, sugary, half-naked man sitting on a barrel of wine. In one hand he has a jug with something "hot", in the other a beer goblet.
• Ignorance. Cheerful and carefree donkey with a big rattle in his hands. A living illustration of the saying "the less you know, the better you sleep." True, here it is better to say "no knowledge, no problems."
• Pseudo-science. A woman (probably) in a monastic robe with her eyes closed. In one hand she holds a scroll of pseudo-knowledge. Nearby stands an incomprehensible mechanical device, and in the other hand, the result of the misapplication of science, is a two-headed dog, which is held like a puppet.
• Indifference.“Killers and traitors are not so terrible, they can only kill and betray. The worst thing is the indifferent. With their tacit consent, the worst things in this world happen.” Apparently, the author fully agrees with this saying. He placed "Indifference" at the very center of vices. The figure has four arms - two are crossed on the chest, and the other two plug their ears.
• Propaganda of violence. The figure resembles Pinocchio. Only he has a shield in his hand, which depicts a weapon, and next to it is a stack of books, one of which is Mein Kampf.
• Sadism. The thick-skinned rhinoceros is an excellent example of this vice, and he is also dressed in a butcher's outfit.
• Unconsciousness. The pillory is the only inanimate figure in the overall composition.
• Exploitation of child labor. Either an eagle or a raven. The bird-man invites everyone to the factory where children work.
• Poverty. A desiccated barefoot old woman with a staff holds out her hand, asking for alms.
• War. The last character in the list of vices. A man clad in armor and with gas masks on his face, holds out a toy to the children - everyone's favorite Mickey Mouse, but the mouse is clad in a bomb.

It is very difficult to unmistakably recognize a specific sin or vice in each figure, so the author signed each sculpture in Russian and English.

Initially, the monument was open permanently. But after lovers to profit from non-ferrous metal, they opened a hunt for it, the composition was fenced off, guards were put in place and visiting hours were introduced from 9 am to 9 pm.

People often come to the park on Bolotnaya Square. The newlyweds are photographed against the backdrop of bizarre sculptures, without particularly attaching importance to the meaning hidden in the sculpture. Many people scold the composition, consider it ridiculous. Probably the most ardent opponent, Doctor of Psychology Vera Abramenkova. She believes that Mikhail Shemyakin erected a monument to gigantic vices, it is they, and not small children, who are the central characters. But most people treat the monument with understanding, they call it the right one, for the place and time. The sculptor raised a problem that should not be talked about, but shouted about. Only Shemyakin did this not with the help of words, the author immortalized his views and beliefs in bronze.

Each of us is endowed with human qualities, both good and bad. I propose to get acquainted with the most unpleasant, and sometimes simply unbearable qualities inherent in some "individuals".

So, the main vices of man

1. Indifference- the worst trait of a human character, expressed in the lack of the ability to empathize, the manifestation of callousness to the sorrows and troubles of other people. It is an indifferent attitude that gives rise to a sense of permissiveness and impunity in dishonorable people. Hence a lot of murders and other crimes.

2. Deceit - or lies for the sake of their own selfish goals. Disregard for a deceived person or consider him a fool because he believes a lie. As a rule, this vice is inherent in a mediocre, gray personality.
"Having lied once, he will always lie." Stay away from these "people".

3. Sellout - a well-disguised vice of man. It manifests itself in special life situations when protection or rear is required. Such "people" are very disadvantaged in terms of morality and humanity, and NOT only, these subhumans are at a level much lower than even animals, because animals have NO venality.

4. Boring - inability to build relationships with people and even with oneself. Because of their "limited" soul and mind, such people, even being alone with themselves, cannot find a worthy occupation for themselves.

5. Animals - "life", to please their whims and animal instincts, namely; spectacle, food, sex, self-interest, alcoholism, idleness, sleep, etc.

6. Greed - an uncontrollable thirst to save, to own as many material values ​​as possible and unwillingness to share one's wealth with anyone. From people with this quality, one should not expect even the slightest gesture of generosity.

7. Hypocrisy - the ability of a person who does not have a drop of sincerity to take a position that is outcast for himself. It manifests itself in the ability to put on a suitable “mask” of pretense at the right time in order to look better in the eyes of others than it really is, without exposing its own base essence.

8. Envy - the manifestation of a negative attitude in the form of hostility and hostility towards people who have reached greater heights than the envious person himself. Someone else's well-being overshadows the mind, giving rise to a sense of one's own inadequacy.

9. Cruelty - a terrible personality trait, expressed in the need to inflict suffering on living beings (people, animals), both moral and physical. Moreover, at the same time, a cruel person experiences a sense of satisfaction at the sight of other people's suffering.

10. Malice - hostile manifestation of anger, irritation and hostility towards someone. Often accompanied by not quite adequate aggressive behavior.

11. Cunning - the ability to pretend, dodge and dodge in any situation while achieving personal goals in all sorts of ways, regardless of generally accepted canons.

12. Selfishness - overestimation of the importance of one's own person. It is expressed in a disdainful attitude towards the interests of others, one's own interests are above all.

13. Insolence - a manifestation of disrespect, contempt for the interlocutor, accompanied by frank attempts to provoke him to a scandal. It can be expressed in the form of unpleasant rude gestures (waving sticking out fingers), an increased tone in conversation, a piercing impudent look in order to confuse the interlocutor, the use of lies. It is characteristic of self-confident types who feel their impunity.

14. Vanity - the tendency to attract the attention of others, to impress even with negative actions. The desire to hear laudatory flattering speeches addressed to one's person is due to the desire to be a famous and revered person. Often expressed in the excellent ability to brag.

Here are perhaps the most common immoral qualities of human nature. Although, nevertheless, this is not the whole list of existing vices inherent in many human beings.

An unusual monument is located in the city of Moscow and was made by sculptor Mikhail Mikhailovich Shemyakin. Its name contains the very essence of the sculptural ensemble - "Children - victims of the vices of adults."

Fully installation work on the installation of sculptures was completed in 2001.

In the center of the raised pedestal-platform there are sculptures of a boy and a girl, whose eyes are covered with a bandage. The plasticity of the figures is made in such a way that it seems that they are moving forward by touch with uncertain steps. Under the feet of the children - a book and an impromptu ball.

In a semicircle around the center of the composition there are sculptures of human adult vices in an ominous amount - 13:

• Addictionpresented in the form of a thin man dressed in a tailcoat and flaunting a bow tie. In one hand, a bag with a dose of the drug, and a syringe is clamped in the other.
• Prostitutionappears in the form of a sort of vile toad with an elongated mouth, bulging eyes and a huge bust. Her decrepit body is dotted with warts, and poisonous snakes curl around her waist.
• Theftrepresents a cunning pig with its back to the children, hiding a bag with a ringing coin in its paw.
• Alcoholismassociated with a half-naked man with a sugary physiognomy. He sits on a barrel of cheerful wine, holding a snack and a beer goblet in his hands.
• Ignorance appears in the form of a donkey - a kind of merry and carefree personality. There is a big rattle in his paws.
• Pseudo-science is represented by a sculpture of a woman in a hoodie and a blindfold draped over her eyes. In one hand she holds a scroll with some pseudo-knowledge, and on the other is a two-headed dog - the product of a false idea about science and its application.
• Indifference is the central figure of adult vices from which the rest are placed on either side. The sculpture has four arms, a pair of which covers the ears, and the second is crossed on the chest.
• Propaganda of violence somewhat reminiscent of Pinocchio, beloved by many children. Only this is not a good fairy-tale hero, but a vice that holds a shield with a weapon in its hand. Next to this figure is a stack of books, among which you can see Hitler's Mein Kampf.
• Sadism is represented by a thick-skinned rhinoceros dressed in a butcher's uniform.
• Forgetfulness was sculpted in the form of a pillory, probably not finding an animated image for it.
• Exploitation of child labor appears as an image of an ominous bird with a human face, luring children to its factory.
• Poverty is represented by a withered old woman holding a staff in one hand and holding out the other for mercy.
• War is a certain person in a gas mask, dressed in armor. He hands the children a Mickey Mouse doll chained to a bomb.

It is worth noting that the monument "Children - Victims of Adult Vices" appeared in Moscow on the initiative of the then Moscow Mayor Yuri Mikhailovich Luzhkov. They say that he showed great interest in this work by Mikhail Shemyakin and even became a co-author of the image of "Sadism" (a thick-skinned rhinoceros), spontaneously and on emotions in one of the discussions of the project, took the appropriate pose, which the sculptor, in the end, performed in metal.

Previously, access to this unusual sculptural exposition was open around the clock, but after it was damaged by vandals, the pedestal was surrounded by a fence with gates that open at strictly defined hours.

Sculptural composition "Children - victims of adult vices" - a rather rigid, but poignant monument, erected in the public garden on Bolotnaya Square in 2001. Since its installation, it has become one of the most famous and popular sculptural objects in Moscow.

The composition is dedicated to the influence of adult vices on the personality and life of children who are born completely pure, but then, getting into the adult world and finding themselves helpless in the face of its dangers, become their victims or grow up as vicious as their parents. The plot is conveyed with the help of 15 sculptures located on a large semicircular pedestal.

Children are depicted in the center of the composition - a small boy and a blindfolded girl; they sneak by touch with their hands out in front of them. Under their feet are books and a ball. The figures of children with all their appearance show that they need an intelligent guide, but he is not there - only human vices inherent in adults surround them. At the head of vices, Indifference rises above the children, which tries its best to ignore what is happening.

A lot of symbolism has been invested in the figures of vices, they are the living embodiment of troubles and dangers awaiting children. In total, the sculpture depicts 13 vices:

1. Drug addiction;
2. Prostitution;
3. Theft;
4. Alcoholism;
5. Ignorance;
6. False learning;
7. Indifference;
8. Propaganda of violence;
9. Sadism;
10. "For those who are without memory" (pillory);
11. Exploitation of child labor;
12. Poverty;
13. War.

The author of the sculptures did a good job, putting a lot of symbolism into them: for example, Drug Addiction and War, which begin and close the circle of vices, are made in the form of angels of death - the first, dressed in a tailcoat, offers a syringe with a courteous gesture, the second is chained in armor and is preparing to release from hands an air bomb. Prostitution is depicted in the form of a vile toad, spreading its arms in an inviting gesture, and Ignorance is represented by a kind of joker donkey with a buffoon's staff, who, judging by the clock in his hand, does not feel the limits and spends time on insignificant trifles. Pseudo-scholarship is shown as a robed and hooded "guru" who preaches false knowledge, Alcoholism is a disgusting pot-bellied man sitting on a barrel, and Theft looks like a richly dressed pig, furtively moving aside with a small bag. Sadism demonstrates a rhinoceros-man, at the same time a butcher and an executioner, Poverty - a withered old woman, the sculpture "For those who are without memory" is made in the form of a pillory. The figure dedicated to the propaganda of violence, with a false smile, offers children a wide choice of weapons, and symbolizing the exploitation of child labor, is made in the form of a sleek raven, with imaginary benevolence inviting them to their factory.

Indifference is at the head of vices with closed eyes: it is given as many as 4 hands, with two of which it closes its ears, while the others are folded on its chest, standing in a characteristic protective pose. The figure tries its best to move away and not notice anything.

The space around the composition is never empty: to look at it, whole crowds often gather. For some, "Children - Victims of Adult Vices" is approved, others, on the contrary, say that the composition is too harsh, and the sculptures of vices are simply terrible, and they need to be removed from sight - one way or another, no one remains indifferent. Having made a lot of noise in the past, the composition remains rather ambiguous even now, thanks to which it has not lost its popularity and has been considered one of the most significant informal sights of Moscow for the second decade.

Sculpture "Children - victims of adult vices" located in the park on Bolotnaya Square (Repinsky Square). It can be reached on foot from metro stations. "Kropotkinskaya" Sokolnicheskaya line, "Tretyakovskaya" Kaluga-Riga and "Novokuznetskaya" Zamoskvoretskaya.