|
||
| Aleksandr Zhdanov arrived in Washington from Moscow three years ago, already a legend in Russia for his superb artistry and his fiery independence. At departure from his homeland, Zhdanov, then 50, had produced some 1,500 original, catalogued works of art - oil paintings, graphics, watercolors, enamels, mixed media, collage sculptures and drawings. | ||
| Seven television networks from the United States, France and Japan had interviewed and videotaped the artist and his work in his studio, capturing his thoughtful commentaries on contemporary art and life in the Soviet Union (ABC, CBS, CNN, BBC and others). | ||
| Zhdanov's battles to join his daughter in the United States began in the first two, fragile years of perestroika and glasnost in the Soviet Union. They were marked by KGB secret police harassment that included the arrest and brutalization of his wife. One "interrogation" in December 1986 left her with broken logs. See the painting "PERESTROIKA." For these two years, the artist and his wife endured many libelous articles published in the mainstream press of the Soviet Union. See the painting "GLASNOST." | ||
| At the center of the exhibition itself are the conceptual works, "FIRST SHOT FROM THE 'AURORA' " and "GORBACHEV'S RUSSIA." The two paintings symbolize Russia's path from the October 1917 Revolution to the uncertainties of today. | ||
| On the left of the mantel is the painting, "KGB JUNGLE," and, under it is "DEMONS WANDERING, DEMONS WINDING," a visualized paraphrasing of Pushkin's poem. | ||
| On the right of the mantel are two self-portraits, The larger one, entitled "SELF-PORTRAIT IN THE FOREST," contains many symbols referring directly to the Gorbachev era. The symbols in the central portion of the exhibition involve the entire cosmos, on one side the planet "SATURN* symbolizing the tragic destiny of Russia and its path of suffering and, on the other, "SIX-WINGED SERAPHIM" covering and protecting Russia from total destruction. | ||
| Zhdanov then begins to move Out of the gloom of a dismal Russia in this central context of the exhibition. We see his "FAREWELL, RUSSIA I"and FAREWELL, RUSSIA II" and his "HELLO, AMERICA!" The colors of parting are sad and bleak, the colors of now life in America are buoyant and hopeful. Even the reference to Savrasov's famous painting in 'THE RAVENS HAVE ARRIVED" leaves the sad tonalities behind. | ||
| The symbolic painting, "ARIES & PISCES, SELF-PORTRAIT AND WIFE", expresses the complex and difficult destiny the artist shares with his wife-, Galina Mstislavna. It is a conceptual bridge to the avante-garde portraits, "ELENA ANDREEVNA KAMKINN and "GALINA MSTISLAVNA," both painted in a bright, brash tonality. | ||
| The painting, "KAYA," provided the artist with a different portrait subject, a Husky pup from Minnesota. Kaya, 75 percent wolf, is linked in the artists mind to the romance, adventure and almost endless spaces of Jack London's "White Fang." London's stories enjoy enduring popularity in the Soviet Union. | ||
| The oil painting, "PAN," related in spirit to Russia's painter Vrubel, explores the Spirit of the forests, the moon, unspoiled nature and man in bright, joyful colors, while the mixed media construction, "PAN," employs humor and irony to convey the spirit of the woodland god of the ancient Greeks. | ||
| In "HOKUSAI," a portrait of the Japanese artist and poet, in "PORTRAIT OF LERMONTOV" and in "VIETNAM (SNARE-TRAP)," Zhdanov reflects on the history and culture of Russia and other nations. | ||
| This is the artist's eighth exhibition since he left Russia. It is his second solo exhibition in the United States. The first was in 19139 at the Van Brahler Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia (SALE). Other showings have included: | ||
|
- Vienna, 1987. Fourteen paintings on the theme, "Immigrants." - New York, 1988, Autumn. 64 works. SALE. - New York, 1988, Autumn. The Slavic Center, in commemoration of the Millennium of Christianity in Russia. 12 paintings. - Boston, 1989. 100 works . SALE. Early Spring, - Washington, 1990, Summer. The Alla Rogers Gallery, Washington, D.C. - Washington, 1990. Arena Stage Auction, "Artists and Politics." |
||
|
|
||
|
The Piazza in Canal Square · 1054 Thirty-First Street NW · Washington, D.C. 20007
Telephone (202) 342-1054 · FAX 1-202-342-0973 |