Events

Taras Zheltyshev, creator of the Yoomoota art universe, presented his works at the Catalog contemporary art fair. The show debuted three new paintings created in collaboration with Vashik Martirosyan: the large-scale canvas Horse, the surreal landscape Cerebral City, and the vibrant Tovarish & Soyuz — each oil on canvas, marking a new chapter in the exploration of the Yoomoota universe. The booth's centrepieces also included the Another Kingdom: Dichotomy chess set, the Old Money and Fast Money sculptures, the Humanity Ball, the Ancient Curiosity bas-relief, the Entrance to Yoomoota and Cube tapestries, the Good Design Award–winning Inflated Ass armchair and the Lymphochair. A limited clothing capsule with Tovarish & Soyuz prints — bombers and T-shirts — was unveiled for the first time in collaboration with Atomic Heart. The opening was hosted by Stargift co-founders Ilya Slutskin and Vashik Martirosyan.

Multidisciplinary artist Taras Zheltyshev showed work at the leading design fair PAD Paris, held from 8 to 12 April in the Tuileries Gardens. It was the artist's fourth appearance at PAD, introducing visitors to key and new pieces from the Yoomoota universe. The centrepiece of the booth was the debut of two new collaborations. The Chessity chess set, created with World Chess — the official partner of FIDE and organiser of the world's leading championships. The artist reimagined the classic tournament set: each piece is an individual with its own story, executed in acrylic painting and engraving on walnut, maple and ash veneer. The YRM (World Map) carpet also premiered — a two-metre piece in viscose and wool that explores the alternative Yoomoota universe. Other works at the booth included the Primordial Fountain furniture group, the Silver Stallion and Old Money: Diamond Age sculptures, and the Good Design Award–winning Inflated Ass armchair. The opening was hosted by Stargift co-founders Ilya Slutskin and Vashik Martirosyan.

Taras Zheltyshev, creator of the Yoomoota art universe, presented an installation pavilion specially conceived for the Architecture for People city festival at the Museum of Moscow. The festival features a large-scale exhibition and a cultural and educational programme. Visitors discovered Zheltyshev's Primordial Fountain — a surreal space that embodies natural harmony within a contemporary architectural environment. Furniture and lighting objects evoke shoots of fantasy plants, while fluid forms and soft textures echo the properties of living matter. At the heart of the pavilion stands the primordial fountain — a legendary source of youth and a symbol of eternal renewal. Its energy feeds the many light elements and plant-like objects and flows into every visitor, and through them — into all humanity.

Multidisciplinary artist Taras Zheltyshev showed work at the oldest and largest contemporary art fair in the United States — Art Miami, held from 2 to 7 December in Miami. The show premiered the Another Kingdom: Game of Light backgammon clutch, created in collaboration with fashion influencer Aureta Thomollari, named by Forbes among the top 50 fashion influencers in the world. Several Yoomoota works debuted as well: the painting Smiley® & Blue Laugh in collaboration with the Smiley® brand, and the canvases Pathway Curiosity and Shadow Curiosity. A new addition to Zheltyshev's chess series — Another Kingdom: Miami Vibe — was unveiled, its vivid colours capturing the spirit of Miami. The opening was hosted by Stargift co-founders Ilya Slutskin and Vashik Martirosyan.

Taras Zheltyshev, creator of the Yoomoota art universe, presented his works at the Catalog contemporary art fair. Visitors encountered the signature themes of his universe alongside new works. A new piece in collaboration with Mundfish — the Cube tapestry, referencing the studio's new game The Cube — was shown for the first time. Catalog audiences were also the first to see the Silver Stallion sculptures — the beloved chess knight reimagined in silver and precious stones. The fair featured the performance The Artist's Studio by Taras Zheltyshev, immersing visitors in the atmosphere of his studio. The opening was hosted by Stargift co-founder Ilya Slutskin.

Multidisciplinary artist Taras Zheltyshev showed work at the leading design and contemporary art fair PAD, held from 14 to 19 October in London. The international audience saw, for the first time, works from the new Diamond Age series created with the jewellery brand GASP — the Another Kingdom: Diamond Age chess set and the Old Money: Diamond Age sculpture, both using diamonds and silver. Several Yoomoota works debuted as well, including the abstract painting Saturday and the large canvas Games of Giants, which became the centrepiece of the booth. The opening was hosted by Stargift co-founders Ilya Slutskin and Vashik Martirosyan.

Taras Zheltyshev, creator of the Yoomoota art universe, presented his works at the Cosmoscow International Contemporary Art Fair. Visitors encountered the signature themes of his universe alongside new works. The new Diamond Age series — chess and sculpture in diamonds and silver, created with the jewellery brand GASP — was shown for the first time. Cosmoscow audiences were also the first to see the Another Kingdom backgammon set. The fair featured the performance The Artist's Studio by Taras Zheltyshev. The opening was hosted by Stargift co-founder Ilya Slutskin.

For the second year running Beeline joined the Chess & Jazz festival, continuing to support culture, music and art. Through the collaboration between the brand and the Yoomoota art project by Taras Zheltyshev (Taras Yoom), contemporary art at the festival has taken on an international dimension. Integrating the Another Kingdom chess set, known worldwide and held in the collection of the Red Dot museum, was a winning move for the city's headline event of the final weekend of July. Taras's international success — covered by Financial Times, Harper's Bazaar and GQ — continued in the Beeline zone, where an interactive art space featured chess-piece installations. Guests could touch art, take part in masterclasses, receive limited-edition merchandise and play a game of chess.

On 29 June the Solomonhelp foundation hosted the musical event Jazz on the Roof. The evening featured a charity auction, with all proceeds directed to children and adults in urgent need of help. Stargift contributed exclusive lots themed around jazz and international music — autographs of jazz legends Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, a record hand-signed by Dave Brubeck, and guitars autographed by world-renowned musicians. The headline lot was a sheet of the song Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic autographed by Sting. It sold for 500,000 rubles.

Together with artist Taras Zheltyshev, Stargift took part in an exhibition project dedicated to International Chess Day. Chess Code. Game. Science. Art at the Zaryadye Park Underground Museum brought together materials about outstanding chess players whose achievements shaped the development of the game as a competitive discipline. A dedicated section explored the evolution of chess piece design. The Another Kingdom: Dichotomy set by Taras Zheltyshev took its place alongside the ancient Indian prototype of chess and the sets played by world champions Mikhail Botvinnik and Boris Spassky.

Multidisciplinary artist Taras Zheltyshev made his debut at Korea's leading contemporary art fair Art Busan, held from 8 to 11 May in Busan. During the artist's debut visitors encountered the signature themes of his universe alongside new works. A painting featuring one of the Yoomoota universe's central heroines — Candy Lady — was shown for the first time; familiar works on display included Labyrinth, the diptych Sweet Girl and Sweet Boy, and installations dedicated to the fundamental human emotions. The opening was hosted by Stargift co-founder Vashik Martirosyan.

On 23 April Moscow's Gimenei Mall hosted the grand opening of the new Stargift gallery. The Stories of the Great exhibition brought together more than a hundred pieces — personal items and autographs of celebrities, works of classical and contemporary art, and a rare artifact from the Leninka Development Foundation. Thematic zones formed the heart of the show — from items connected to fashion and cinema to artifacts from the worlds of science, history and space. The display featured Steve Jobs's personal computer, Soviet banknotes signed by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, unpublished letters by Marc Chagall, a Coco Chanel dress, and archival sketches by Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. The event was supported by Peshi restaurant, Golubitskoe winery, the gastronomic brand Ipatov, the YTS concierge service and the jewellery company Diamonds GASP.

Multidisciplinary artist Taras Zheltyshev showed work at the leading design fair PAD Paris, held from 2 to 6 April in the Tuileries Gardens. It was the artist's second appearance at the annual PAD design fair, introducing visitors to key and new characters from the Yoomoota universe. Collectible furniture included the Long Chair, the Lymphochair and the Lymphosofa, alongside the Good Design Award–winning Inflated Ass armchair. Other works included the Another Kingdom: Light Stage chess set, which in autumn 2024 entered the permanent collection of the Red Dot Design Museum in China. The opening was hosted by Stargift co-founders Ilya Slutskin and Vashik Martirosyan.

On 1 December the major charity auction ACTION! took place. The evening raised approximately 85 million rubles, which were directed to the beneficiaries of 20 different foundations. The charity gala had a cinematic theme. Directors shoot short films, and guests acquire the rights to them in exchange for donations. The headline lot was a set of handwritten notes by Andrei Tarkovsky for the film Stalker, contributed by Stargift. It sold for 1.5 million rubles.

Taras Zheltyshev, creator of the Yoomoota art universe, presented his works at the Cosmoscow International Contemporary Art Fair. Visitors could see over 40 pieces: the Another Kingdom: Light Stage chess set, already part of the Red Dot Design Museum collection in China; the Fast Money and Pillman sculptures. Furniture was represented by the Inflated Ass armchair, which entered the collection of the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. The audience also saw the collaboration between Taras Zheltyshev and the game Atomic Heart. The opening was hosted by Stargift co-founder Ilya Slutskin.

Multidisciplinary artist Taras Zheltyshev showed work at the leading design fair PAD London, held from 8 to 13 October in London. For the exhibition Taras Zheltyshev presented more than thirty works, including, for the first time, pieces at the intersection of art and jewellery in silver — the Pill Jewelry pendant and the Magnum Opus decorative pillbox — alongside the previously shown Candy Lady sculpture and the Lymphochair. The opening was hosted by Stargift co-founders Ilya Slutskin and Vashik Martirosyan.

On 3 July, aboard the nuclear icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy, the exhibition Preserving the Arctic: Stories of Great Voyages opened. The display featured 15 artifacts — personal belongings of pioneers of space and geographical exploration including Thor Heyerdahl, Alexander von Humboldt, Ivan Papanin, Yuri Gagarin and others — alongside Arctic expedition memorabilia and antique editions of the magazine Vokrug Sveta. Spanning the 18th to 21st centuries, the exhibition was held as part of the Polar Travelers' Club expeditions in cooperation with Stargift.

Cyprus hosted the opening of a temporary exhibition of works by Taras Zheltyshev, featuring the brightest pieces from the Yoomoota universe. Visitors could see the Another Kingdom: Light Stage chess set, the Fast Money, Thymus, Pillman and Red Fear sculptures. Furniture was represented by the Lymphochair and the Curiosity Lamp. The opening was hosted by Stargift co-founder Vashik Martirosyan.

The Stargift collection was presented at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, held from 5 to 8 June. Forum participants could see letters by Sergei Korolev that had been aboard the ISS, photographs signed by Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, a jersey signed by Lionel Messi, sneakers hand-painted by Viktor Tsoi, Yoomoota universe pieces and much more — more than 30 artifacts in total. The collection drew particular media attention — coverage and interviews with Stargift co-founder Ilya Slutskin can be found in the Press section.

Multidisciplinary artist and designer Taras Zheltyshev presented collectible works in Brussels in the main section of Collectible, the leading international fair of contemporary collectible design. For the show Taras Zheltyshev presented more than ten works, including, for the first time, the new Another Kingdom: Light Stage collectible chess series, the Don't Play With Food table, the Homo Erectus cabinet, the Chloroplast chair, as well as the Candy Lady sculpture and the Lymphochair. The opening was hosted by Stargift co-founder Vashik Martirosyan.

The Stargift collection was presented at the anniversary Gas Forum, held in St. Petersburg from 5 to 8 October. Forum participants showed particular interest in the hazmat suit used on set for the series Breaking Bad, photographs signed by Dmitry Medvedev, a helmet signed by Vladimir Putin and an original 1980 Olympic Games torch.

On 25 May the Stargift gallery-boutique hosted an evening dedicated to boxing and combat sports. The special guest and speaker was the legendary Russian athlete and undisputed world boxing champion Konstantin Tszyu. Konstantin shared the secrets of his success and spoke about his future plans. The talk was followed by an autograph session. During an intellectual auction, guests had the chance to test their boxing knowledge. The grand prize was one of the artifacts — a photograph signed by Mike Tyson.

On 14 April the Stargift gallery hosted a private collectors' club event dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the first human spaceflight. The lecturer was cosmonaut and Hero of Russia Anton Shkaplerov. Guests had a unique opportunity to meet someone who had been beyond our planet and hear stories of the conquest of space. During the intellectual auction guests showcased their deep knowledge of space. The winner received one of the artifacts — a photograph signed by Gherman Titov.

The lecturer for the literary evening was journalist, director and TV presenter Fekla Tolstaya. Guests had the unique opportunity to meet a direct descendant of Count Leo Tolstoy and hear stories about the great writer. During the event guests enjoyed live music, a reception, and the gallery's now-traditional intellectual auction, the grand prize of which was a book signed by Yevgeny Yevtushenko.

On 2 October 2020 Russia's first gallery-boutique of celebrity autographs and memorabilia, Stargift, officially opened its doors. The event drew Moscow's society and business elite. A real Batmobile greeted guests at the entrance, while actors portrayed world legends to set the atmosphere. The owners of the Stargift collection held the traditional intellectual auction, with the winner taking home a Yuri Gagarin autograph.

In December 2019 Stargift took part in a Warhol Factory party organised by the international event agency ART SECRET at the new space The DOM. The show featured autographs of Andy Warhol and his famous contemporaries — Mick Jagger, Madonna, Grace Kelly, Muhammad Ali and many others.

In November 2019 Stargift became a partner of the central cigar event of the year, organised by the Moscow Cigar Club. The exhibition of pieces from our collection was warmly received by the club's honorary members: Nikas Safronov, Maria Zakharova, Nikolai Svanidze and many others. The evening also featured an intellectual auction, in which an autograph of Sylvester Stallone — a well-known cigar enthusiast — was won.

On Wednesday 20 November celebrity guests and the society and business elite of Rublyovka gathered at the luxurious Zhukoffka Plaza for the private New Year gala Silver and Gold New Year. Stargift was a partner of the event, presenting unique pieces from our collection. The evening also featured the now-traditional intellectual auction.

On 17 October Omega Rooftop hosted BCS High Level, organised by Stargift's partner BCS Premier bank. We were delighted to take part in the evening and show part of our collection to the bank's guests and clients.

Stargift took part in the 2019 St. Petersburg International Gas Forum. We were glad to present a small part of our collection and to provide an exclusive gift for the forum's gala dinner. The display sparked great interest among forum participants.

Stargift became a partner of the Captains' Cup 2019, held on 24 August. Guests took part in an intellectual auction in which they guessed secret pieces from the Stargift collection. The winner received a photograph of Kevin Costner on the golf course, autographed by the actor.

Stargift partnered the State Duma Football Cup, held with the support of the Committee on Physical Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth Affairs and the Moscow Department of Sport and Tourism. Representatives of various factions and ministries settled scores on the football pitch and got acquainted with selected pieces from the Stargift collection.

The golf club hosted a private event for the tenants of PFC CSKA VIP boxes. Stargift presented a small part of the collection, and guests gladly took part in an intellectual quiz. Proceeds from the sale of one of the pieces were directed to the football club's youth academy.

On 6 July Stargift and Rohini Gallery partnered the Gentleman's Evening №5, organised by the Art Secret team. The idea of private gentlemen's clubs was born in London, where men could escape prying eyes, light a cigar and exchange the latest news over a glass of fine whisky. Following successful club evenings in Moscow, London and Monaco, for the second year running the Art Secret team organised this unique event in Repino.

Stargift partnered an event held by the investment bank BCS Premier. Guests enjoyed exploring selected pieces from the collection. One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the intellectual auction, whose participants competed for the grand prize — a photograph signed by Keanu Reeves.

Co-founder and collector Vashik Martirosyan joined the jury alongside renowned figures from showbusiness and sport. The grand prize in the Super Beauty category was a photograph signed by the inimitable Sophia Loren.

The Stargift collection was presented at the Surrounded by Stars exhibition. Guests could see the finest pieces and enjoy the evening thanks to the activities organised by our partners.

The Stargift's Hall of Fame private collecting evening at The Kisa Bar brought together intellectual and discerning representatives of Moscow's bohemia. To the sound of live music, guests explored more than 50 pieces from the Stargift collection. The culmination of the evening was the intellectual auction. Its participants could put their knowledge to use to win the grand prize — one of the artifacts.

An old mansion in the centre of the city hosted a private collecting evening organised for the clients of a leading private bank. The evening featured a display of more than 30 unique artifacts. Guests also took part in an intellectual quiz, the prize of which was one of the pieces from the collection.

Organised by Stargift at Rohini Gallery Barvikha, the From Chaliapin to Ronaldo exhibition became a major event in Moscow's social calendar. The show featured more than 80 unique pieces from the founders' personal collection. The exhibition received broad press coverage, and Elle, Glamour, Cosmopolitan and The Vanderlust included the opening in their lists of the top events of December 2018.