Dmitri Prigov The Inspiring Story of a Genius
Dmitri Prigov: The Inspiring Story of a Genius
Cardboard Angels & Secret Poems – How Dmitri Prigov Painted Freedom in Every Color
From the first hush-hush poems slipped into friends’ pockets beneath Soviet street-lamps to the triumphant day his paintings hung in world-class galleries, Dmitri Prigov: The Inspiring Story of a Genius sweeps readers into the whirling imagination of Russia’s most mischievous modern artist. Born in 1940 in Moscow, young Dmitri carried a sketchbook everywhere—past frosted windows on the streetcar, into the echoing hallways of art school, and even beneath his pillow at night. Yet what made him extraordinary was not only the rapid swirl of his pencil but the fearless questions he asked: Why can’t poems have more than one voice? Must a sculptor’s chisel stay silent about freedom?
As Prigov grows, the story blossoms into a kaleidoscope of daring. He cuts cardboard into towering “angels,” recites ten poems at once to startle listeners into hearing fresh truths, and smuggles typewritten pages through a network of loyal friends when censors slam the publishing doors shut. Even police interrogations cannot quiet him; instead, they sharpen his resolve to paint, carve, and perform until every corner of Soviet life seems suddenly brighter, strange, funny, and full of possibility.
Readers aged 7–12 will laugh at his playful “milkman poems,” feel the chill of midnight typewriting by flashlight, and cheer when, at last, the Iron Curtain lifts and the world discovers his avalanche of creativity. Complex ideas—artistic freedom, courage, and the power of imagination—are woven into a vivid, child-friendly adventure. Glowing full-page illustrations burst with Prigov’s cardboard creatures, bustling Moscow streets, and sky-high puzzle-poems, inviting young dreamers to linger over every detail. By the final page, children will not only learn about a remarkable life but also feel the electrifying thrill of daring to see the world differently.
What Makes This Book Unmissable?
- Vibrant Artwork on Every Page – More than 40 fully colored illustrations ignite curiosity and help visual learners connect with Prigov’s wild creations.
- A Tale of Courageous Creativity – Shows how one artist outsmarted censors with wit, humor, and endless invention.
- Kid-Friendly Explanations of Big Ideas – Introduces concepts like “conceptual art,” “samizdat,” and “performance poetry” through lively metaphors and relatable examples.
- Interactive Extras – Hidden “Prigov Puzzles” challenge readers to spot visual riddles and decode mini-poems within the art.
- Timeline & Fun Facts – A quick-glance timeline plus surprising trivia (Did you know Prigov once wrote 24,000 poems?) deepen understanding without slowing the pace.
- Inspires Budding Artists – End-of-book activity pages invite kids to stage their own living-room performances or build cardboard sculptures just like Dmitri.
This book is a celebration of creativity and resilience, inspiring a new generation of artists to express themselves unapologetically.
You must be logged in to post a review.
There are no reviews yet.