On November 24 the Carré Doré gallery in rue Princesse Caroline, Monaco, hosted an exhibition of photographs - "Symbols that surround us" - by the Russian artist Olga Kisseleva. Born in St Petersburg (at that time Leningrad) in the same month and year as Princess Stephanie of Monaco, she describes herself as "a mirror" of the Princess. One born of a Prince and a Hollywood movie star; the other to brilliant but poor Russian scientists working for the Soviet military.

This enigmatic theme is reinforced by the photographs on display. Each comprises a collection of objects, mainly food items, grouped together as a still-life. The viewer is required to make his or her own decision as to the significance of each grouping, but by way of assistance, under each tableau hangs a panel listing the objects with words that convey the historical and current significance of each. For example, see the picture below and its explanatory panel. The picture is entitled "Chausettes" (Socks) for reasons which may be difficult to understand. Nevertheless, you don't need to understand, the photographs have a matter-of-fact, take-it-or-leave-it appeal. It's something like being an observer of a parlour game with inexplicable or unexplained rules. You are compelled to search each exhibit in the hope of cracking the code, but failure doesn't diminish the enjoyment of the exercise.

Carré Doré  - The Contemporary Art Gallery - specialises in Russian and other contemporary art; in particular that representing science and technology, both physical and abstract, transforming it into sensory forms. The gallery opened in early 2010 and is owned by Ludmila Arsenieva, who is passionate about her vision for the gallery. The gallery could be described as an art catwalk, where the works of artists can be far-fetched allowing the viewer to stop, reflect and appreciate. Ludmila's aim is to promote and raise the profiles of established and up-and-coming artists. Ludmila can be seen below talking with me.

Ludmila Arsenieva and Anna Fill - The Riviera Woman