When it was first announced that Dasha Zhukova, Roman Abramovich’s girlfriend, was opening the equivalent of the Tate Modern in Russia, I was taken by surprise. The woman used to grace the back pages of Tatler for her flawless style and, back in her native country, she’s known as a huge socialite. Suddenly, she’s owning one of the biggest arthouses in Europe.
As someone who’s witnessed many art history doctorates seek jobs unsuccessfully, and as an art Historian myself, it seems slightly unfair that the woman with no experience and no academic qualifications, should be dictating the manoeuvres of such an art institution . When she informed the art scene at the Serpentine Gallery's annual party that she would be opening The Garage Centre for Contemporary Culture, the crowds chocked on the olives in their dirty Martinis.
It makes me wonder if money really does translate to power, or whether there are actually brains and ambition behind this operation. I can’t help but imagine Abramovich sat at the breakfast table, suggesting his pretty creature do something worthwhile with her time. But maybe I’m being harsh and money only opened a door, and it was Dasha’s choice to walk through it. Many women married to successful businessmen don’t share such high ambitions. Supposedly, Dasha has a genuine passion for art, with an aim to bring art to the youth of Moscow.
To add to her new found success, she has now become Editor in Chief of POP magazine alongside the well-established fash-mag guru Ashley Heath, who recently said: "Dasha has a very strong sense of style and a strong point of view on the modern world and on magazines."Is that really all it takes to become chief editor of a highly successful magazine though? It seems most of my friends abide by this criteria, I wonder if it’s really enough to suddenly become top of the game.
Before she became this international woman of business, Dasha, now 28, had a mildly successful fashion label called Kova & T, relaxed on Roman yachts, and was known for having the biggest handbag collection in the world. The academic qualifications that are quite essential in art history to shape and develop an “eye” are nowhere in sight. When asked about her favourite artists, Dasha said she was “um, like, really bad at remembering names”.
The woman moved to L.A aged 10, a huge difference from the Russia that she grew up in during the Iron Curtain years. She is the daughter of Russian oligarch, Alexander Zhukov, who has multiple connections in Russia, most of which have helped him avoid jail for his suspicious transactions. This probably puts her in a good place to persuade the wealthy 45 and overs of Russia (generally so anti modern art) that there are investments to be made in the market. After watching a television interview with Dasha, I can’t avoid commentating that she appeared meekly enthused by the prospect, perhaps suggesting a legitimate desire to bring culture to Moscow’s younger generation.
When asked by a journalist recently, whether she felt qualified to do so, "I don't think I have to know everything about art," she sniffed. "I travel a lot, and just by default I end up seeing exhibitions. Now, I look at them from all different points of view, not just the art: the organisation, the catalogue, the walls, all aspects. Knowledge is coming to me quite organically at the moment, and I think that for my place in this organisation and what I'm trying to achieve it's not important for me to know every single date and name. I would like to curate, but only in the future. I have a vision that I want to achieve, and it hasn't been a huge problem so far for me, the fact that I don't have a formal background in art history."
It will be interesting to see what will come out of it, whether she’ll remain as head of POP for a long time, or whether it was just a fad. And Whether the Garage will end up a successful enterprise worthy of the Tate Modern. Perhaps, all you need is flair and innate apprecation for aesthetics more than a formal background in history of art, we shall have to wait and see.. As the wide eyed beauty Dasha declared in a recent TV show with a big pregnant belly emerging from her Prada maternity gown. “Money grants you freedom!” Easy for some.
