Curator Dmitri Ozerkov says that the main subject of Dmitri Prigov's art is "to create and develop objects as phenomena…language is a vehicle - egocentric, fragile, transparent and international - designed to store and communicate multiple meaning." Dmitri Prigov. Video and Sound Installation. Venice Biennalle 2011. Photos by Aditi Kulkarni.

You walk through several rooms parting curtains, each more disconcerting than the next. The last room of the installation is shown above. Repeating symbols such as the wine glass filled with blood and the 'void' also appear in his paintings, shown below:

Dmitri Prigov. Untitled [Idol] Paper, ballpoint pen. 42X29.5cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. [Scanned postcard].

Dmitri Prigov. Series of Compositions with Tablets. Paper, ballpoint pen. 20.9 X 29.6 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. [Scanned postcard].

Dmitri Prigov. Series with the names of artists. Paper, ballpoint pen. 20.9 X 29.6 cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. [Scanned postcard].

Dmitri Prigov. Series with windows. paper, acrylic, ballpoint pen. 21X30cm. The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. Untitled/Chairs/1996

The Hermitage is a Russian museum that chose the 54th Venice Biennale to introduce it's modern image by showcasing Dmitri's work. "The Hermitage 20/21 project's goal is to collect, exhibit and study art of the 20th-21st centuries. We want to create a collection of works that will become historic. Art can be viewed as a mirror of modern culture that reflects us all. Therefore, the Hermitage 20/21 is addressed to those people who want to be up to date, both amateurs and professionals, savvy connoisseurs and the youngest of viewers." [M. Piotrovsky, Director of the State Hermitage Museum].

Notes: Press Release. Dmitri Prigov: Dmitri Prigov. From the State Hermitage Collection. Hermitage Project 20/21. Dmitri Alexandrovich Prigov (1940-2007).