Fine Arts and Public Arts in Russia!

As good customers of the tour people we use (Abercrombie and Kent) we are well looked after at each destination. We are not only kept safe, booked into the best hotels but also are accompanied by the best guides. But of course we pay for all of that!!! But the best thing has been that we meet the locals. In this case we spent the afternoon with Yury Petrochenkov and his wife in St. Petersburg. Yury is a fine arts graduate of many years standing and I hope his Journalist/Theatre designer and Critic son will take the trouble to show this short screed to his father. They both have my card with my blog address.
Yury has specialized in fine art for years, specializing in overglazed painting, ceramics and porcelain. His apartment is a treasure trove of artistic pieces. I could have spent days roaming but my good manners stopped me from photographing anything too personal, in fact anything at all. Instead we were introduced to some sweet tasting Russian pastries and coffee or tea and some stimulating conversation.
Yury does visit other countries in Europe in promotional visits. But, his curiosity, as to how we felt about Russia now that we had spent some weeks here and there, became his leading question to us.
As you can see his symbolic representation of Russia as a Nation lies close to his heart. So, he was a little upset when I mentioned that in the West President Putin is not presented as some Russian citizens would like to believe.
In Russia a strong independent leader is wanted and desired. In the West the leader must be able to be scrutinised openly and his Human Rights Credentials to be intact. And so the difference lies!

However Art of a more public kind had occupied
our Moscow visit in the weeks before.
Mosaics appeared to be a most popular technique.

 This particular one above, was the pool, a part of a children's
themed fountain.

The colorful tiles depicting animals of many kinds I found in the biggest Paleontology Museum
in the world, also in Moscow. Interestingly enough the volunteer scientist who took us through spoke not only English but was hoping to finish her PhD in Melbourne... specialising in cockroaches. She had spent some time previously in Melbourne.
 But when it comes to Public Art weekend exhibitions and festivals seemed to interest many

 with unusually creative methods.

 So from the Ancient methods of Religious paintings on wood in C10+ churches and monastries, the mosaic method can still be seen to persist particularly in museums and older churches.
Click on the photo to enlarge. Further, engraving Religious scenes on metal is also a tried and lasting method.

 The World Sand Castle Competition is also a popular exhibition, this time found on the beach of St.Petersburg. These creations are leftover examples...much better samples can be found at the competition times I am sure.

 And this example of young love says it all...Russian or English...it doesn't matter...the sketch says it all...the artist and her/his partner live south of Moscow in Susdale.
But Mr. Putin, it is young love. And imprisonment or fining will only leave you short of two votes...two, you could be sure of otherwise! Perhaps a scholarship to Art School would be a better idea.