Story No. 2: Room 49

During his life in Kharkiv, Vitalii Kulikov occupied two studios. The first, on Nimetskyi Entrance (formerly Pushkinskyi Entrance), “passed” to the artist Oleksii Borysov. The second, on Kultury Street, became the master’s final refuge, where he created his last works.

However, it is the first studio that has almost completely preserved its “Kulikov appearance.” In Room No. 49, just as during the artist’s lifetime, there are stacks of papers and books, neatly arranged vinyl records, easels and stretchers leaning against the walls, while brushes and dried flowers reign among posters and rolled-up canvases…

Vitalii Kulikov was a night-owl artist; he loved working at night. At those hours, the deserted long corridor between the studios would fill with the barely audible echo of either jazz or classical music – constant companions of the creative process. He rarely let anyone in – he did not like others seeing his unfinished works. When he received guests, he hid unfinished works behind a special curtain.

So, if someone knocked on Kulikov’s door at night, he would open it just wide enough to pass cigarettes, tea, or dishes to fellow artists who had asked for them. Then, along with a beam of light, distinct sounds of music would escape through the crack in the door. Most often, it was Schnittke.

More about the personality and work of Vitalii Kulikov in the next story.