What whispers from behind closed doors at 103 Trongate? It is the whirring and clicking of Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre/Gallery. Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre/Gallery is not your typical theatre. Here, the stage is alive with a unique spectacle. Sculptor-mechanic Eduard Bersudsky, theatre director Tatyana Jakovskaya, and light and sound designer Sergey Jakovsky have woven together a captivating world of kinetic sculptures. “Sharmanka,” the Russian word for “hurdy-gurdy,” perfectly captures the essence of this mesmerizing space.
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre/Gallery was born in St. Petersburg in 1989. Driven from Russia by economic hardship and a lack of artistic support in the mid-90s, Sharmanka found a new home in Glasgow. Their journey led them to the Scottish Borders village of Blainslie. Then, a pivotal moment arrived. Julian Spalding, the then Director of Glasgow Museums, recognized the unique brilliance of Sharmanka. He acquired three kinemats for the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art and invited them to exhibit at the McLellan Galleries. This marked the beginning of Sharmanka’s love affair with Glasgow. In 1996, the Sharmanka Kinetic Gallery and Workshop opened in Glasgow’s Merchant City. They eventually settled in their current Trongate location in 2009.
Eduard Bersudsky, a self-taught artist, began creating his “kinemats” in the 1970s. These kinetic sculptures, powered by electric motors and intricate mechanisms, incorporate repurposed scrap metal and old furniture, brought to life by grotesque carved figures. Initially, his creations were only seen by a select few in his Leningrad flat. The Sharmanka team even crafted the Millennium Clock Tower for Edinburgh’s Royal Museum in 1999. This remarkable timepiece now resides in the National Museums of Scotland. Bersudsky’s artistic contributions were further acknowledged with the prestigious “Creative Scotland Award” in 2005. While Sharmanka has traveled the world, showcasing their captivating art, Glasgow proudly remains their home. At Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre/Gallery, hundreds of these carved figures dance to a symphony of haunting music and synchronized light.
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre/Gallery isn’t just a performance; it’s an experience. The whirring of motors, the clicking of gears, the haunting melodies, and the interplay of light and shadow create an atmosphere unlike any other. The grotesque figures, carved with intricate detail, tell stories of life, death, and everything in between. As the performance unfolds, you’ll find yourself drawn into their world. You’ll marvel at the ingenuity of the mechanisms and the artistry of the figures. Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre/Gallery offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Step inside, and let the magic of Sharmanka transport you to a world where art, mechanics, and imagination collide.