A Date with Mikhail & Mario

                                             Merce My Way - Mikhail Baryshnikov

Struggling to entertain ourselves on a 17 hour train journey from Riga to Moscow, my friends and I resorted to doing lame impressions of Carrie Bradshaw's Russian lover, Aleksandr Petrovsky, to pass the time ("Is that a banana in your purse or are you just happy to see me?", "Call me Bob" etc. - continue ad nauseum for hours and you get the picture). Yeah, we were pretty bored and going slightly insane as the crazy Russians around us plied us with vodka and red caviar. If this kept us entertained, you can imagine our excitement when we encountered Aleksandr himself on our last night in Moscow. Well, not Aleksandr himself exactly, but an exhibition of photographs by legendary ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov - who, as well as doing a nice sideline in arrogant Russian lovers on TV, is also a fine photographer. The exhibition, "Merce My Way", consists of colourful, blurry images that manage to capture both the movement and stillness in the work of choreographer, Merce Cunnningham. 

The show took place at Winzavod, an amazing collection of galleries, shops and bars housed in a renovated 19th century winery. The centre is now at the heart of Moscow's art scene. On our way in, we bumped into an uber-friendly Mario Testino, in town for Russian Vogue's 10th anniversary party, who greeted me like a long lost friend even though I have clearly never met him in my entire life. If Mario approves, it really must be the place to be in Moscow.

                                         Natalia V in Red Sq  - Mario Testino