Soviet 7 days left to visit Russia!

[Christophe]

Don't be misunderstood. And here, nothing to see with awards or medals... but art !!! I hope this won't shock anyone ...

Russia! is a wonderful exhibition taking place in the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao (Spain) from 29 March to 10 September 2006, after being presented in New York.

I paid this exhibition a visit during my summer holidays in Spain and Portugal.

Russia! , as said by the Museum, is "the most comprehensive and significant exhibition of Russian art sent abroad since the end of the Cold War. Including more than 300 artworks, many of which have rarely or never traveled outside Russia, this innovative presentation features the greatest masterpieces of Russian art from the 13th century to the present, as well as a selection of first-class Western European paintings and sculptures from the imperial art collections assembled by Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, and Nicholas I in the 18th and 19th centuries, and later in the early 20th century by the Moscow merchants Sergei Shchukin and Ivan Morozov."

It is really great!!!!

The first section is devoted to the age of the icon from the 13th through the 17th centuries. Following sections deal (not exhaustive) with the royal art collections of the 18th and early 19th centuries, the art of the 1930s and 1940s (and the Socialist Realism)... Is also presented art produced during the Great Patriotic War. The last section focuses on art produced after Stalin?s death.

If you are in Spain in the coming days (holidays or business), please have a look at this exhibition; it is more than worthwile!!! And the building itself is a "must see" for all architecture lovers (what I am...) !!!!

Cheers.

Ch.

Pic : Guggenheim Museum bilbao.

Edited September 3, 2006 by Christophe

[Christophe]

There are hundreds of art items presented, but the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is especially fortunate to be able to present Repin?s Barge Haulers on the Volga (1870?73). It is one of my preferred russian paintings...

Ch.

Pic : Guggenheim Bilbao Museum website.

[Christophe]

Pics inside were not allowed. Several artworks showed orders and medals. But not easy to display them. I have tried to take pics... but the quality...

The exhibition catalogue is a real book showing many of them. I bought it as its printing quality is excellent.

Ch.

PS : I just hope no-one has been disturbed by this art intrusion...

[Christophe]

Example of Socialist Realism artwork.

Ch.

[Christophe]

Another one.

Ch.

[Christophe]

They even sell Soviet style magnets at the Museum shop.

Ch.

[Bryan]

I like Socialist Realism artwork!

[kimj]

Looks like a good exhibit. But i live too far away for this one.

By the way I recognize the Stalin painting from an exhibit in Stockholm: "Agitation for happiness". It's called The great oath (Stalin's speach at The Second All-Union Congress 26 january 1924). You just got to love those titles ) The size is just as impressive: 235cm x 175cm !!!

/Kim