“Your Grasping, Scheming V.I.P.s:” Artist talk at Blue Door Gallery

June 27th, 2012

Recently, I gave an artist talk at Blue Door Gallery in the Artists’ District of Yonkers, NY.  I spoke about the newest painting in my PLAYGROUND OF THE AUTOCRATS series, which tells stories about Russian history in pictures.  Below are some photographs of the talk.

Bobroff-Hajal painting, sketches of Ivan the Terrible face

Right: Audience teases “When did you shave your beard?” as I show them my sketches for Ivan the Terrible’s face, because I posed for it myself in my bathroom mirror. Left: My final painting of Ivan (Detail of “Your Grasping, Scheming V.I.P.s.”)

Bobroff-Hajal artist talk: Ivan the Terrible

Responding to an audience question about my  process of creating this panel, “Your Grasping, Scheming V.I.Ps.”

Your Grasping, Scheming V.I.P.s is the first panel in what will become a 5-paneled work – a pentaptych – entitled Darling Godsonny Stalin (Ivan the Terrible Advises the Infant Stalin).  The completed pentaptych will playfully tell the tragic story of Russian rulers’ recurring terror against their own people, from Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible) to Stalin, who caused the deaths of upwards of 20 million innocent Russians.

I believe the past is godparent to the present, and that landscape and environment are godparent to all.  One way I visualize this in my art is via my fantasy of Ivan the Terrible as one of Stalin’s godparents.  You can see Ivan singing to the infant Stalin in the top of the panel above.

Your Grasping, Scheming V.I.P.s is about Ivan the Terrible’s relationship to his nobility before he began his terror against them.  (For more, see Ivan the Terrible: Madman or Crazy Like a Fox?)

Detail Bobroff-Hajal: Ivan the Terrible & noble clans

Ivan the Terrible lived within a “spider’s web” of noble clans, whose “aristocratic pretensions could not fail to come into conflict with the autocratic aspirations of the first Russian tsar.”

To become a true autocrat, Ivan had to cut his way free of a “spider’s web” of powerful aristocratic clans.

Russian Nobility under Ivan IV

Russian noble clans sometimes formed marriage alliances and sometimes fought each other as they vied for influence with the tsar.  Detail of my painting “Your Grasping, Scheming VIPs.”

Sweet dreams, baby Stalin….

Bobroff-Hajal painting: Ivan the Terrible & Stalin as infant

Stalin’s godfather, Ivan the Terrible, flies on a broom topped with a severed dog’s head – both Ivan’s symbols of his Terror against his own people.

1,828 Responses to ““Your Grasping, Scheming V.I.P.s:” Artist talk at Blue Door Gallery”

  1. Vaseagisa says:

    Everyone can benefit from consuming a food regimen wealthy in whole foods It s additional helpful to attenuate consumption of processed meals, such as foods containing sugar, flour, and vegetable seed oil While there isn t any best food plan for everybody, this golden rule of diet can help any person get extra from their meals Some research has found a connection between low water intake and a larger risk of hyperglycemia This is most likely because less water in the physique means the concentration of glucose within the blood is larger Experts are nonetheless learning about all the factors that may contribute to high blood glucose order fertility pills online

  2. Keep on working, great job!

  3. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The words in your post seem to be running off
    the screen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to
    let you know. The design and style look great though!
    Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Cheers

    my web blog :: january calendar 2023 free printable

  4. Good answers in return of this matter with firm arguments and explaining all about that.

  5. Здесь можно по выгодной цене и безопасно EXTREME NEURON FREEZE в России!

  6. 3x says:

    Greate article. Keep writing such kind of info on your blog.
    Im really impressed by your site.
    Hello there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I will certainly
    digg it and in my opinion suggest to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this site.

  7. Peltedict says:

    PMID 19211055 Review another name for lasix com 20 E2 AD 90 20Efek 20Samping 20Viagra 20Gold 20Usa 20 20Viagra 20Feminino 20Em 20Gotas viagra feminino em gotas On the earnings front, hotel, energy and financialservices conglomerate Loews Corp posted a jump insecond quarter profit as revenue from its insurance arm, CNAFinancial, increased nearly 13 percent

  8. sbobet says:

    Amazing! Its really remarkable piece of writing, I have got much clear
    idea regarding from this post.

  9. You made some first rate factors there. I seemed on the internet for the problem and found most individuals will go along with along with your website.

  10. agen slot says:

    Hi there, every time i used to check weblog posts here in the early hours in the
    dawn, because i love to find out more and more.

  11. daachka.ru says:

    I am really happy to read this web site posts which carries plenty
    of valuable information, thanks for providing these data.

  12. Здесь можно по выгодной цене и безопасно EXTREME LIME PARADISE в России!

  13. Peltedict says:

    lasix and breastfeeding Acknowledgments We gratefully acknowledge Linda Norton for secretarial assistance and Hyman Muss, MD, for advice during preparation of this manuscript

  14. Howdy are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog
    world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you require
    any html coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would
    be greatly appreciated!

  15. Dicycloverine may cause drowsiness or blurred vision. If affected, do
    not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need
    to see clearly. Other side effects include any of.

  16. lecislot.org says:

    Hi there, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar
    one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam comments?

    If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can advise?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.

  17. slot online says:

    First of all I would like to say terrific blog! I had a quick question that I’d like to
    ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before writing.
    I’ve had a difficult time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out.

    I truly do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend
    to be wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips?
    Many thanks!

  18. Hudson says:

    Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this blog.

    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness
    and visual appearance. I must say you have done a great job with this.

    Also, the blog loads very quick for me on Firefox.
    Outstanding Blog!

  19. So who knows what the word 토토사이트 means?

    i would appreciate it if you leave a comment in my page as well

  20. My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was entirely right.
    This post actually made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this info!
    Thanks!

  21. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after going through many of
    the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow,
    I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back frequently!

    http://www.geati.ifc-camboriu.edu.br/wiki/index.php/Usu%C3%A1rio:ZaidaFlood13

  22. kingreceh says:

    Quality articles or reviews is the key to be a focus for the
    people to pay a visit the site, that’s what this site is providing.

  23. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.

    You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away
    your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could
    be giving us something enlightening to read?

  24. Nice respond in return of this matter with solid arguments and explaining the whole thing concerning that.

    Here is my web page :: agen slot online

  25. On this site u can buy EXTREME FRUIT VIBES for very good price!

  26. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog
    and was wondering what all is needed to get set up?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% certain. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly
    appreciated. Thanks

  27. sex machine says:

    Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you
    wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a
    few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog.

    An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.

  28. Dövmeci kızın şaşırtan arzusu! Siyah Beyaz Aşk 5.
    Bölümde Ferhat, soluğu dövmeci kız Yaprak’ın yanında alıyor;
    Aslı ile evlendiğini açıklıyor! Fehat’ın gizemli yaşamına girmeyi başarmış olan dövmeci kız Yaprak, ona karşı duygularını
    her fırsatta dile getiriyordu. Ferhat, evine geldikten sonra Aslı
    ile konuşmak.

  29. HenryAbnor says:

    187 Gratuito da Cellulare

    Codice Promozione Lottomatico

  30. Zenci Erkekler Kökleme Sert Porno. wattmin 1 sene ago. 0 Views 0 Comments 3 Likes.
    yerli kara çarşaflı kadın olgun alman izle küçük cariyeler porn götten taytlı Zenci Erkekler Kökleme Sert Porno /oğlum üvey anne mom yalama nu
    İzle zayıf çıtır anal karısını kumarda kaybediyor
    sikiş dayan baba liseli.

  31. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about slot jackpot.
    Regards

  32. coursework questions coursework on a resume coursework plan buycoursework.org

  33. Asking questions are in fact fastidious thing if you are not
    understanding anything entirely, however this paragraph provides pleasant understanding even.

  34. togel online says:

    Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely wonderful.
    I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re saying
    and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart.
    I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a wonderful site.

  35. On this site u can buy snus killa for very good price!

  36. site says:

    Excellent blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers?
    I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
    Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there
    that I’m completely confused .. Any tips?

    Kudos!

  37. coursework help university coursework resume
    example coursework or research coursework plagiarism checker

  38. Thank you for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for
    your next write ups thanks once again.

  39. You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write.
    The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how
    they believe. At all times follow your heart.

  40. cpa coursework coursework for business administration coursework english language coursework mark

  41. leci 123 says:

    Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve
    really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write
    again soon!