Avant-garde performance Beyond the Mind

Elena Tamrucci (1898–1983), set design for "Coming Towards the Lightning" (ca.1960s) by Y. German

The Russian American Cultural Center celebrated their 11^th Anniversary, and the success of its exhibition “Homage to Diaghilev’s Enduring Legacy, the final in a series of exhibitions sponsored by the Harriman Institute of Colombia University, with a gala reception and auction at the Ana Tzarev Gallery, 24 West 57^th Street. The evening was a benefit for RACC’s Educational Programs, which includes an upcoming exhibit of emerging Russian-American artists, and their goal to establish a permanent museum in New York City.

Avant-garde performance Beyond the Mind

(L to R) Irina Churkina, wife of Vitaliy Churkin (Permanent Mission of Russia to the United Nations), RACC Director Dr. Regina Khidekel and journalist Natalya Belaya

Dr. Regina Khidekel, art historian, critic and curator of this extraordinary exhibition, which celebrates stage design, an often neglected major cultural movement of the 20^th Century, founded the non-profit Russian American Cultural Center in 1998 to promote international understanding of Russian art and culture among the Russian speaking population of New York City, and other cultural communities.

John Kapon of Acker Auctions and Dr. Regina Khidekel introduce the art auction

Russian stage design exhibition Homage to Diaghilev’s Enduring Legacy: Rediscovered Gems of the 20th Century at Ana Tzarev Gallery

In the Soviet Union, from the 1960’s through the mid 1980’s, the stage was the only venue where experimentation with contemporary art trends was permitted, and easier to hide. Soviet stage designers were recognized internationally, and allowed to show their work outside the Soviet Union, attracting the most progressive artists from each generation who were instrumental in the conception and development of new art movements.

Nikolai Roerikh (1974-1947), costume design for "Le Sacre du Printemps" (1910-1913) by I. Stravinsky, Le Champs Elysse Theatre

Avant-garde performance Beyond the Mind

To quote Regina Khidekel “Though Theatre Design is a vital Russian art form, it is unrepresented today, because these designs are often carried out in “light media” such as watercolor or gouache on paper. Furthermore, in many countries, such as the United States, stage design is considered a bit player in comparison to the fine arts. Therefore, it was important for me to draw attention to the significant role that stage design and Russian stage design in particular, played in the development of twentieth century art”. The exhibition, and the catalog book: “Rediscovered Gems of the 20^th Century” is the culmination of Regina Khidekel’s extensive research into works rescued from obscurity, by artists she had known, met or studied. “It was my big pleasure and an exciting challenge to find and identify the work of artists who were in small collections, some signed, sometimes not . . . artists who were unknown, forgotten or had died during the war. Not just Diaghilev, who was well known but others who had given their lives to the theater.

(L to R) Artists George Tsypin and Georgi Meskhishvili

ala guests viewing the stage design exhibition

Highlights of the exhibit included works by: Nicholas Roerich, who was influenced by his passion for archeology, ancient rituals, folk art and his love for music, 1874-1947; Boris Erdman who favored the experimental and the eccentric, 1899-1960; Lazar Khidekel, one of the most important artists and architects of the Russian Avant-garde who also contributed to the theatre ,1904-1986; Mikhail Shcheglov, a painter, stage and film director whose imaginative vision inspired many directors and choreographers, 1934-1996; Tatiana Bruni, whose set and costume designs for ballet Bolt by Dmitry Shostakovich epitomized the theatrical Avant-garde of the 1930’s as Soviet Art grew increasingly representational; Igor Vuskovich, a 1924 graduate of the Odessa Art Institute, a master of colorful costume designs, 1920-2004; Ivan Sevastianov’s whimsical and evocative set designs, 1920-2004; and Nellie Polyakova, part of the wave of 1960’s artists and three time winner of the St. Petersburg Theater for Children Festival for her puppet productions.

Nikolai Akimov (1901-1968), stage design for "The Bat" (1948) by I. Strauss, Leningrad Theater of Musical Comedy

Nellie Polyakova, stage design for Leningrad Theater of Fairy Tale

The festive evening was animated and elegant; guests mingled on both floors of the magnificent Ana Tzarev gallery as they viewed the Stage Design Exhibition, sipped cocktails and dined on a buffet of delicious Russian delicacies, bid on auction treasures, and then watched a unique, riveting and graceful art performance that combined live music and Avant-garde theatre... created and executed by up and coming composers, musicians, dancers and singers.

Art auction audience

(L to R) John Kapon, owner of Acker Auctions, RACC Director Dr. Regina Khidekel and Alec Brook-Krasny, New York State Assembly

Honored guests included: Alec Brook-Krasny, New York State Assemblyman … Vitally I. Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations …Sergey V. Garmonin, Consul General of the Russian Federation in New York …Yurly A. Sergeev, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations … prominent artists, Grisha Bruskin, George Tsypin and Georgi Alexi Meskhish.

Russian stage design exhibition Homage to Diaghilev’s Enduring Legacy: Rediscovered Gems of the 20th Century at Ana Tzarev Gallery

Gala guests viewing the stage design exhibition

“The Homage to Diaghilev” Catalog is available upon request.

For more info in future RACC events and exhibitions:

www.russianculturecenter.com 

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