Yuri Zlotnikov: Pioneer of Russian Abstract Art Yuri Zlotnikov (1930 – 2016) stands as a singular figure in the history of Soviet art, recognized primarily for his groundbreaking contribution to abstract painting and his unwavering commitment to exploring the intersection between art and science. Born in Moscow during the tumultuous years following World War II, Zlotnikov’s artistic journey unfolded against the backdrop of Khrushchev’s Thaw—a period characterized by a cautious liberalization of cultural expression after decades of rigid ideological control—and he quickly established himself…