This is Part 2 of the description of a creative process. To read it in chronological order, please read Part 1 first.
At the end of my last post, I presented icons and Russian folktale illustrations each of which had a central image framed with secondary images that added to its meaning. Below is a detail of the center panel of my triptych The Most Exposed Terrain on Earth. It shows the way in which I used the image-frame technique to help resolve my own challenge: to convey the endlessness of the flat Russian steppes, 3,500 miles wide.
Detail: Center panel of triptych The Most Exposed Terrain on Earth
My frame is a collage of landscapes by 19th century Russian painters. These painters were collectively known as the Peredvizhniki (usually translated into English as either the Wanderers or the Itinerants). Many of their most famous works portray the Russian steppes. Through the repetition of these beautiful images of the land, I hoped to help convey the vastness of Russia’s flatness.
There is a deeper emotional level to this collage than the purely informational one. The Peredvizhniki may not be household names in the US, but they certainly are in Russia. They are to Russian art what the great Russian novelists are to the country’s literature. The Peredvizhniki are profoundly Russian. They are of the land. The Russian people feel their work deeply, and identify with it. These paintings hold all the love and sorrow and suffering of the Russian people over the long course of their history.
Detail, center panel, The Most Exposed Terrain on Earth
My own goal as well with Playground of the Autocrats is to embrace all the aspects of human life: knowledge, pain, joy, satire, humor, suffering. Close examination of many of the figures in the crowd scenes in Playground reveal attention to the many sides of human experience.
I’ve never been able to understand why the Peredvizhniki aren’t better known in the United States. Some of their paintings were shown in the Guggenheim’s Russia! exhibit several years ago. Elizabeth Valkenier, Columbia University’s Russian art expert, has published several books about them, such as the the terrific The Wanderers, Masters of 19th Century Russian Painting. And there’s a wonderful book by Mikhail Guerman, The Russian Impressionists and Post-Impressionists.
But the Peredvizhniki are much less widely known here than are the European Impressionists. My use of their paintings in my frame is my homage to their greatness.
In my next post, I’ll get to the music and lyrics of Playground of the Autocrats.
promotional products
Find a top personal promotional products currently now available in addition with reasonably pricing now only!
tub resurfacing
Find the the top bathtub refinishing companies near me that’s now available and at good rates now only!
promotional products
Get the best logo face masks that is now available in addition with reasonably pricing now only!
my review here
Get the the top gas fireplace service phoenix currently now available in addition at reasonable prices now only!
hour hands for clocks
Buy the top quality deals for clock kits that are available for you and for fast deliver and plus at a reasonabe value for today only!
water bottles with logo
Hire the best branded products that’s now available and on sale now only!
get redirected here
Hire the best gas fireplace maintenance near me that is now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
logo face masks
Find the the top printed water bottles that is now available and at good rates now only!
clock manufacture
Find the top deals for clock parts suppliers that’s available for you and ready to s and at a great value for today only!
my company
Get a top refinish acrylic tub that is now available and at good rates now only!
logo printed face masks
Find the the top promotional items that’s now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
fireplace repair company near me
Find the best gas fireplace cleaning services near me currently now available and on sale now only!
visit website here
Hire the the top custom logo design that is now available and at reasonable prices now only!
clock inserts suppliers
Find amazing deals for replacement parts for battery operated clocks that’s available for you and for fast deliver and plus at a great value for today only!
bathtub reglazing services near me
Find a top bathroom resurfacing near me that is now available in addition at good rates now only!
custom lanyards
Get the best embroidered hats currently now available and at reasonable prices now only!
fireplace maintenance gas
Find a top gas fireplace repair phoenix that is now available in addition on sale now only!
logo safety glasses
Hire the best logo safety glasses currently now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
metal clock hands
Find the top deals for clock hands that are available for you and ready to s and at a great value for today only!
tradeshow signs
Get the the top water bottles with logo that is now available in addition at good rates now only!
bathtub reglazing services near me
Hire the best tub glazer near me that’s now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
gas fireplace repair phoenix az
Hire a top gas fireplace maintenance phoenix that’s now available in addition on sale now only!
custom surgical masks
Get the the top imprinted knee pads that is now available and on sale now only!
Printed Gear
Get the best imprinted promotional gifts that is now available in addition at reasonable prices now only!
bathtub refinishing companies near me
Hire the best tub refinishing that is now available and on sale now only!
fireplace repair costs
Find the best gas fireplace maintenance service near me that’s now available in addition at reasonable prices now only!
embroidered shirts
Find the best coffee mugs that is now available and at good rates now only!
countertop resurfacing
Hire a top fiberglass tub refinishing near me that is now available and at reasonable prices now only!
metal water bottles
Hire a top business gifts that’s now available in addition on sale now only!
time movement hands
Get amazing deals for where to buy quartz clock movements that are available for you and ready to s and at a great value for today only!
fireplace cleaning omaha
Find the the top fireplace repair phoenix az that is now available and at reasonable prices now only!
reusable face masks
Hire the best tote bags that is now available in addition with reasonably pricing now only!
click to read more
Get the best shower reglazing near me that’s now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
custom logo design
Get the best imprinted knee pads that is now available in addition with reasonably pricing now only!
pendulum movements
Get amazing deals for clock movements wholesale that’s available for you and for fast deliver and plus at a great value for today only!
fireplace maintenance service
Find a top gas fireplace cleaning service that is now available and at good rates now only!
visit website here
Hire a top imprinted protective eyewear that is now available and at reasonable prices now only!
bathroom resurfacing near me
Hire the best bathtub reglazing near me that’s now available and at reasonable prices now only!
branded products
Find the best imprinted protective eyewear that’s now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
clock Inserts videos
Get the top deals for clock dials that’s available for you and for fast deliver and at a great value for today only!
gas fireplace maintenance phoenix
Find the best fireplace repair phoenix that is now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
embroidered shirts
Find a top safety kits that is now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
bathtub refinishing
Hire a top bathtub restoration that’s now available in addition at reasonable prices now only!
personalised engraved pens
Get a top tradeshow signs that is now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
clock mechanisms
Find the top deals for clock parts that’s available for you and ready to s and plus at a great value for today only!
gas fireplace repairman
Hire the best gas fireplace repair phoenix az currently now available and at good rates now only!
branded products
Hire the the top custom logo design that’s now available in addition with reasonably pricing now only!
a fantastic read
Hire the the top tub refinishing san diego that is now available in addition at reasonable prices now only!
branded products
Find the the top logo safety glasses that is now available and at reasonable prices now only!
best clock movements
Find the top quality deals for large clock kit that’s available for you and for fast deliver and plus at a great value for today only!