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.
gas fireplace repair
Find a top gas fireplace cleaning services near me currently now available and on sale now only!
Learn More
Find the best logo printed face masks currently now available in addition at reasonable prices now only!
bathtub reglazing san diego
Find the the top tub reglazing near me that’s now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
badge holder
Find the best logo safety glasses that’s now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
gas fireplace services and repairs
Find the the top All Valley Fireplace Repair that is now available in addition on sale now only!
Click Here
Find a top personalised engraved pens currently now available in addition with reasonably pricing now only!
click to read more
Hire the the top tub refinishing san diego that’s now available in addition on sale now only!
printed water bottles
Hire the best customized water bottles that’s now available and at good rates now only!
clock making replacement parts
Buy the top deals for Large wall clock kits that are available for you and ready to s and plus at a reasonabe value for today only!
gas fireplace repair phoenix
Get the the top gas fireplace cleaning services near me that is now available in addition on sale now only!
countertop refinishing
Find the best bathroom reglazing near me that’s now available in addition with reasonably pricing now only!
best motor for clocks
Buy the top deals for clock movements wholesale that are available for you and ready to s and at a good value for today only!
Printed Gear
Get the the top water bottles with logo currently now available in addition at good rates now only!
fireplace inspection
Get a top fireplace cleaning omaha that is now available and at reasonable prices now only!
cast iron tub refinishing near me
Hire the the top bathtub reglazing currently now available and at reasonable prices now only!
clock repair parts
Find the top quality deals for clock parts that’s available for you and ready to s and plus at a good value for today only!
logo face masks
Hire a top logo safety glasses currently now available and at good rates now only!
fireplace repair service
Find the the top gas fireplace repairman that is now available in addition at reasonable prices now only!
bathtub refinishing companies near me
Get the best bathtub reglazing services near me that’s now available and at good rates now only!
custom printed face masks
Hire a top engraved pens that’s now available in addition at good rates now only!
DIY clock replacement parts
Buy the top deals for wholesale clock movements that’s available for you and ready to s and at a reasonabe value for today only!
gas fireplace maintenance
Hire a top gas fireplace repair service currently now available and on sale now only!
tub restoration
Find the best porcelain tub refinishing near me currently now available in addition at reasonable prices now only!
imprinted protective eyewear
Hire the the top logo safety glasses that’s now available and on sale now only!
logo t shirts
Get the best promotional products that’s now available in addition on sale now only!
read more
Buy the top deals for clock motors that are available for you and for fast deliver and plus at a reasonabe value for today only!
fireplace maintenance
Get a top gas fireplace maintenance near me that is now available and on sale now only!
tub reglazing
Get the the top tub refinishing near me that is now available in addition with reasonably pricing now only!
logo face masks
Hire the the top custom surgical masks that’s now available and on sale now only!
clock mechanisms
Get the top deals for clock replacement parts currently available for you and for fast deliver and plus at a great value for today only!
repair for gas fireplace
Hire the best gas fireplace maintenance service near me currently now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
bathroom resurfacing near me
Get the the top bathtub refinishing companies near me currently now available in addition on sale now only!
wholesale promotional products
Get the the top read more currently now available in addition at good rates now only!
hour hands for clocks
Find amazing deals for clock mechanism kit that’s available for you and ready to s and at a good value for today only!
chimney flashing repair
Find the the top gas fireplace cleaning services near me that is now available and on sale now only!
bathtub refinishing
Hire the best bathtub refinishing companies near me that’s now available in addition at reasonable prices now only!
printed water bottles
Get a top badge reel holder that’s now available in addition at good rates now only!
promo products suppliers
Get the best read more that is now available in addition with reasonably pricing now only!
best motor for clocks
Get the top deals for clock movement kit that are available for you and for fast deliver and at a reasonabe value for today only!
tub resurfacing
Find a top bathroom reglazing near me that’s now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
branded products
Get the best badge holder that’s now available in addition at reasonable prices now only!
luggage tags
Get a top read more that is now available in addition on sale now only!
gas fireplace service cost
Hire the the top gas fireplace maintenance phoenix that is now available in addition with reasonably pricing now only!
visit website here
Hire a top imprinted knee pads that’s now available and at good rates now only!
fiberglass tub refinishing near me
Find the best tile reglazing near me that is now available and at good rates now only!
custom surgical masks
Hire a top customized lanyards that’s now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
gas fireplace maintenance phoenix
Get a top gas fireplace maintenance service near me that is now available and at good rates now only!
DIY clock hands repair
Buy amazing deals for clock hands kit currently available for you and ready to s and at a great value for today only!
personalised engraved pens
Get a top business gifts that is now available and with reasonably pricing now only!
fireplace cleaning omaha
Find a top All Valley Fireplace Repair currently now available and at reasonable prices now only!