The idea of the contest "A spoon further" appeared in 1998 in the brainy head of a contemporary Yekaterinburg artist Oleg Yelovoy. The essence of it is very simple: to give ordinary aluminum spoons, which can be found in great amounts in obshchepit (network of state public cafes, usually associated with the Soviet times and characterized by low quality food and nondescript table-ware, made of aluminum), to professional jewelers and convince them to make something resembling pieces of art out of these spoons, i.e. to see what will happen to the spoons further.      The TAU, which is famous for its predilection for unconventional art-projects, provided organizational, informational and financial support for the activity. The promoters promised $200 as the first prize and $100 as the second prize.      The contest "A spoon further" is a logical renewal of the analogues jewelry contest "Master Nail" which took place in Yekaterinburg in May 1997, when the jewelers, inspired by the idea of the same Oleg Yelovoy, created works of art out of 200 mm nails. There were no restrictions on the methods and means (except for those imposed by the author's imagination). The participants were given exactly 15 days to finish the work. Those who took part in the contest were at the same time the judges and they themselves decided who the winner was. The results of "Master Nail" were beyond all expectations. Virtuosity of skill, marvelous, luxurious pieces of jewelry... and no nails. One and a half year later the jewelers took up aluminum spoons. The rules of the contest "A spoon further" resemble those of the "nail" competition: the artists could do with the spoon whatever his/her vivid imagination prompted (the only restriction was not to use other metals). The promoters decided that half a month will be enough to accomplish the work.

 

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