Giant

Caring in its various forms is the theme of the final season of the public art program «Tales of the Golden Apples». Caring for loved ones and oneself, dialogue with the outside world, about what remains after us, and about those who have to live on. The team of the «Tales of Golden Apples» wants to preserve these motives, as well as the meanings and values invested in the work in Almetyevsk, to metaphorically transfer everything that has been done to the residents, who can continue to change the city.

The concept of the sculptural group by Andrei Lyublinsky is based on the belief that the Almetyevsk lands were once inhabited by oly-batyrlar (translated from Tatar as a giant protector). These big and powerful beings protected local residents from various evils. The sculpture is located in a park in the Alsou microdistrict. A small version of the giant sits on one of the benches created by Lublinsky. Not only does it emphasize the scale of the large sculpture, but also allows you to feel closer to this character. In the interpretation of the public art project team, it also exemplifies a small person who is protected by a giant. The new art object is dedicated to the theme of taking care of yourself and your loved ones, a sense of safety and security.




Residents of the Kichuchatovo village recalled the stories of old-timers about the giant people – oly-batyrlar – who once inhabited these lands. They were so tall and powerful that the trees dug into their legs like needles. Oly batyrlar are positive characters, protectors of ordinary people.

Analytical report «Local texts of the city», 2018




The visual language of Andrei Lyublinsky was formed under the influence of avant-garde art. The artist repeatedly created homages to paintings by Kazimir Malevich, one of the key figures of the avant-garde. The Italian group Memphis are the most prominent representatives of postmodernism in design. According to Lublinsky, they inspired him with an unusual combination of simple geometric shapes and open colors. The «Giant» sculptural group combines geometry and bright simple colors that evoke positive associations in the passers-by. Thus, the minimalistic image of the «Giant» and its coloristic solutions refer to avant-garde art.

Little man on Andrei Lyublinsky's bench. Photo: Vladislav Matveevsky.

Michele de Lucchi (member of Memphis), Flamingo coffee table, 1984. Photo: memphis.it/en/.

Andrey Lyublinsky, «Suprematist Mickey Mouse», 2020. Photo: luchgallery.com/andrey-lublinsky.

Geometric shapes in the art object by Andrei Lyublinsky. Photo: Vladislav Matveevsky.

In 2022, before creating the sculpture, Andrei Lyublinsky traveled to Almetyevsk for research purposes – to choose the site for his art object. This approach is unique to the «Tales of the Golden Apples» public art program: the artists create their works after carefully preparing and studying the local culture.

Square near 63 Stroiteley Prospect.

Shortly after the installation of the sculpture, on June 24 and 25, fairy tale guides conducted special tours. They talked about the origins of the «Giant», the artist's sources of inspiration, the principles of the avant-garde and local legends that were reflected in the sculpture.

On these same days, master classes were held in the park at 63 Stroiteley Prospect on creating your own giants based on the sculpture by Lyublinsky. Using paper models of the «Giant» prepared by the artist, the master class participants created their own giants, which became personal amulets for their creators. After the masterclass, everyone drank tea and ate baursaks (fried local donuts); this became a good tradition for these summer get-togethers.

Masterclass participants with their amulet giants. Photo: Olga Danilova.