The “Blue Noses” are Vyatcheslav Mizin and Aleksandr Shaburov. They started working together in 1999. According to legend, the group got its name after one of their first performances, when Mizin and Shaburov put blue plastic bottles covers on their noses.

Scandalous glory found “Blue noses” in 2007, when their works were selected for the exhibition “Socialist-Art. Political Art of Russia” in Paris: the then-Culture Minister Aleksandr Sokolov fell into strong criticism of their work “The Era of Mercy”, featuring two kissing policemen. Sokolov named it “pornography” and “shame for Russia”. At the time the artworks were detained at customs so that the “shame” would never be seen abroad. However, after a while the situation was resolved and “Blue Noses” were seen in the French capital.

Earlier, in 2003-2006, the group’s personal exhibitions were held in world’s major cities, such as Munich, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Milan, Paris, New York, Sao Paolo and Kiev, along with participating in different international art forums and exhibitions. The “Blue Noses” also took part in the Venice and Moscow Biennale for Contemporary Art. Their works are often exhibited in the capital-based Marat Gelman private gallery. They’ve scooped the glory of those fruitful artists, who regularly present new works to the eyes of the art lovers, and they participate in all significant events.

The exhibition is on at the St.Petersburg Modern Art Center until November 26.