Secret life of your stuffed animals: Softening the urban streetscape

No one can doubt that modern life in the metropolis is tough, with people enslaved to material gain at the expense of peace of mind. In the rat race to become city slickers,  former friends and childhood companions are cast adrift — and maybe something pure, deep touching and tender in the soul is left behind, as well.

On the other hand, people tend to broaden their comfort zone, somehow bringing their private space to the streets of the indifferent city. Thus, residential neighborhoods turn from necessary evil into comfortable areas. As you know, sleeping quarters are rarely examples of refined architecture, so these fluffy ones help fill them with color and fun.

It can be called contemporary naive art: even its creators seem to realize that it’s more about self expression and smiles than about creating masterpieces. In Russia it goes by the name “ZhKKh-art” (housing and communal services), meaning that this kind of, well, applied art (or should it be called craft?) is closely connected to the non-romantic side of urban life. But is it really true?

These folk masterworks spring up like flowers when the severe Russian winter gives way to the warm season.

Natalia DubovikThis is probably a little hippo having a bath in an ordinary urban dooryard.

Natalia DubovikAnd this bear cub gives you all his love. Literally.

Natalia DubovikNothing extraordinary, just the mouse talking to the cat while peacefully sitting on a tree trunk.