The dialogue with artist Nikas Safronov for mk.ru reveals a remarkable story about a legendary chansonnier, Willy Tokarev, and a one‑of‑a‑kind chess set crafted by prisoners. The eyes of memory focus on a gift that bridged worlds: a chess set wrought in a single original copy, born in the penal colony where Tokarev once performed. Safronov explains that the pieces are Gothic in their form, and that time itself seems to have lent them character as he aged them, giving them the appearance of artifacts from the 15th century. He still keeps the set close, a tangible trace of a moment when two artists crossed paths through unlikely channels.
Safronov recalls another intimate gesture tied to Tokarev’s life—a loan extended during the singer’s heart surgery. He notes that many were hesitant to lend money, worried about repayment or the volatility of the moment, yet Tokarev returned every kopeck with punctual honesty. For Safronov, this established a portrait of the performer not merely as a public figure but as someone trustworthy and decent in private life. The painter also voices a personal wish: a monument to honor Tokarev’s legacy should stand as a quiet reminder of his contribution to art and culture, without ostentation, but with sincerity.
According to Safronov, Tokarev preferred modest recognition over grand shows of wealth. He lived with simple, grounded values and avoided pretentious display, which only deepened the respect Safronov holds for him. The artist insists that Tokarev was unmistakably not driven by material gain; his character was about honesty, generosity, and a steadfast sense of integrity that went beyond fame.
In a separate note, Safronov mentions Evelina Bledans once drawing attention to pieces from Lyudmila Gurchenko’s wardrobe, illustrating a broader cultural milieu in which these artists moved. The anecdote underscores how personal histories, clothing, and artifacts weave together to form a larger tapestry of memory surrounding Soviet and post‑Soviet entertainment life. It is a reminder that objects—whether a chess set, a loan repaid with integrity, or a cherished garment—carry stories that outlive their materials.
Safronov’s reflections paint Tokarev as a figure who influenced others through quiet acts of kindness and a consistent, unshowy commitment to human values. The chess set itself stands as a symbolic bridge between art, punishment, and redemption, a physical object shaped by labor and intent, then transformed by time into something that looks centuries old. Such artifacts invite contemplation about what art can preserve: memory, character, and the ethos of a life spent in music, performance, and a certain austere generosity toward friends and fellow artists.