Global Studies Goes Graphic: Talk about my art for UC Riverside’s Global Studies Program

June 3rd, 2022

I was delighted to be invited to speak about my art for the University of California at Riverside’s Global Studies Program on May 25, 2022.

UCR’s Global Studies Goes Graphic

Global Studies Goes Graphic: Picturing Russian/Ukrainian History

Anne Bobroff-Hajal’s comical but deadly serious mixedmedia polyptychs about Russian autocracy portray hundreds of 3-inch-high individuals of all classes, striving and struggling with each other, within hierarchies and governments shaped by the riches and dangers in their particular environments – the same dynamics from which the current war in Ukraine arose.  Her talk will describe new dimensions her art brings to academic history by conveying the compelling human motivations – joy, greed, grief, and fury among rivals and allies – together with power dynamics and geography, so viewers can better understand the cumulative choices made by countless individuals within their own historical and social contexts.  Bobroff-Hajal will also describe her complex practice of layering painting over digital images of her own paintings and of historical pictures, and her artistic process, influenced by animation storyboards, icons, graphic novels, and political cartoons, all powerful ways of telling stories in pictures.

I super enjoyed conversations with Susan Ossmann – who is about to begin an exciting new job at NYU Abu Dhabi – and with Perry Link and Rob Clark.  I learned a lot from them and their students, and enjoyed seeing the gorgeous UCR campus as well.

Youtube link for Davis Center at Harvard University’s program about my art

February 18th, 2021

“Painting ‘Playground of the Autocrats,’” a February 11, 2021, presentation about my art for Harvard University’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, in conversation with Alexandra Vacroux, Davis Center Executive Director, is viewable on youtube.  This presentation combines my artistic process and thinking with the Russian history it contemplates.

New Museum of Russian Icons online video presentation of my art

December 7th, 2020

I’m delighted that the Museum of Russian Icons has posted on their youtube channel their recent zoom presentation by MIT Russian historian Elizabeth Wood and me:

“How do artists convey complex ideas about society through visual means? In a two-part discussion, artist Anne Bobroff-Hajal and professor Elizabeth Wood explore this question by examining Soviet imagery and contemporary representations of Russia’s leaders.”

My own presentation begins at about 31:30.

Columbia University-Harriman Institute exhibit of my art: Clans, Peasants, and Effervescent Absolutists!

September 7th, 2018

Columbia University’s Harriman Institute for Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies is currently exhibiting my art about Russia, in PEASANTS, CLANS, AND EFFERVESCENT ABSOLUTISTS!   Sept. 4-Oct. 18.

Please join us for the exhibit reception Sept. 20, 2018, 6-8 pm in the Harriman Institute Atrium.  More information is here.

I will give an artist lecture in the Atrium Oct. 2, 2018, at 6 pm.  More information is here.

My Working Women in Russia Under the Hunger Tsars recommended on Library of Congress website for readings about 1917

August 8th, 2018

What do you recommend reading for the centenary of the Russian Revolution?

I was delighted to find my book, Working Women in Russia Under the Hunger Tsars, was recommended on the Library of Congress website last year:

“This year there will be an outpouring of writings on the Russian Revolution – many of which will, unfortunately, downplay the role of ‘ordinary’ peasants and workers.

“Here’s a place to list readings that tell the real history of the revolution. What would libcommers recommend?

“To start us off, here’s some writings on the February Revolution – which began on 8 March, International Women’s Day, 1917:

“Choi Chatterjee, Celebrating Women; Gender, Festival, Culture and Bolshevik Ideology, p43-54.

“Temma Kaplan, ‘Women and Communal Strikes in the Crisis of 1917-1922’.

“Jane McDermid and Anna Hillyar, Midwives of the Revolution, especially p147-157.

“Anne Bobroff-Hajal, Working Women in Russia under the Hunger Tsars: political activism and daily life

“… Also check out https://socialhistories1917.wordpress.com/ for recordings of recent talks on the revolution.”

 

My upcoming exhibit at Columbia University: “Peasants, Clans, and Effervescent Absolutists!”

July 13th, 2018

Columbia University’s Harriman Institute for Russian, East European, and Eurasion Studies has announced their upcoming exhibit of my art about Russia: Peasants, Clans, and Effervescent Absolutists!

The reception will be held September 20.  I will also lecture about the art and its Russian history content on October 2, at 6 pm, Harriman Institute, 12th Floor, Columbia University International Affairs Building (420 W 118th St).

Please join us!