How collecting works behind the scenes: an inside perspective

Each of us is attracted to art in one’s own way, and perceives it in one’s own way as well. Some sit on the couch, flip through luxuriously and not-so-luxuriously printed albums, and explore beautiful things by grinding through the lengthy interpretations of art critics. Others nurture themselves with regular trips to the museum, with time coming to limit themselves to favorite stops in a systemic display. Still others fuel their emotions as they look for pearls of modern trends in large and small galleries. But there is a special sort of people getting pleasure from art, one that is not widely known: I mean collectors.

One of Kyiv’s oldest collectors, Oleksandr Brei belongs to that last-named sort. Having chosen the uneasy path of collecting and, therefore, incessant exploration, search, communication, mutual exchange with people like himself, the subject of our story became not only an acknowledged and respected expert in his hobby, but also ensured his spiritual preservation in the “happy” era of developed socialism. “I am infinitely grateful,” he writes in his book, “to my hobby, which made my life surprisingly interesting and rich. Finally, I saw a worthy goal in front of me – to create a good collection and fulfill myself outside the official Soviet system.”

MYKOLA PYMONENKO, ON THE DNIEPER

Only part of Brei’s collection is on show in his gallery Brei-Club, but it still amazes visitors with its tasteful choices, variety of styles and names of artists, whose works are cherished by the best museums in the world which are proud to have them in their holdings. True masterpieces of Ukrainian, European, and Russian art of the 19th and 20th centuries fill this collection. Meanwhile, making a whole constellation of Western Ukrainian masters known to the world should be credited solely to Brei. But to do justice to him, one should add that in the eyes of the collecting community, Brei’s reputation is impeccable.

Just wandering through the rooms of the gallery and peering at the pictures brings a real pleasure. But the host prepared another surprise, namely the launch of his own book Amusing Collecting, the text of which is the result of a long and careful effort which enjoyed the full and enthusiastic support of the family. It is not for nothing that it is dedicated to the author’s wife Iryna. His daughter Natalia and the publishing house ArtHuss fruitfully worked on it as well.

The book’s fascinating, high-quality and very informative text captivates the reader from the first lines and immerses them into the unknown world of collectors, their communication, humor, numerous bits of knowledge, desires, virtues and flaws. Here, the “secret trails” of collecting and the unknown nooks of seemingly familiar cities and locations are revealed.

The book uses 162 illustrations, perfectly made by photographer Mykhailo Andreiev. The book has one author, but many heroes. These are the true collectors, who often become pioneer discoverers of unjustly forgotten masters...

Analyzing today’s situation, Brei writes: “Unfortunately, the current cultural policy, in my subjective opinion, is of a random, superficial character. Some sort of a well-tuned system is totally absent. Funding is much lower than it should be. Admittedly, now is not the best of times. But the authorities need to understand that without culture, no matter what they say about its secondary nature, no full-fledged nation will emerge.”

Amusing Collecting is already on sale. The print run is small. Hurry up to not only buy it, because soon it will become a rarity, but also enjoy its content.