Alexander Rappoport

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Alexander Iosifovich Rappoport (b. 1959) was born in Leningrad during the reign of Nikita Khrushchev, who came to power immediately after Joseph Stalin. The pudgy new dictator was less disposed to harass the artistic community than his dearly departed comrade. But Western styles and modern art were still considered dangerous. It was in that uncertain milieu that Rappoport developed his very-much-un-Soviet style.

In collaboration with Igor Polyakov, he founded Battle Elephants, an underground society of artists, writers and intellectuals on the outs with Soviet officialdom. Its foundation date was 1984, a poetically most interesting choice. After years of paying his dues in concealed "apartment exhibitions," the artist exposed his work in the light of day with exhibitions all over Russia, Israel, the Netherlands and other countries. He was extremely well-received.

Recently the artist moved to Munich, Germany. Two of his paintings, Cat and Together, are on display at Vilna Gaon Jewish Museum.