"Orthodox traditions in the XXI century. Vladimir Mikhailov, "—an exhibition at the All-Russian Decorative Art Museum (Moscow) 20.04.16-09.05.16

Overcoming the centuries-old disagreements, search of unifying ideas, getting back to the roots, but relying on scientific achievements—these are the leading trends of modern Russia and the whole world. In particular, it is shown in the interpenetration of secular beginning and religious motives in everyday life, in light of growing interest in the National history. Orthodox holidays and traditions are its integral parts, along with Russian native handicrafts, art schools, family mode. Its revival and a new incarnation are the subjects to elucidate at the exhibition "Orthodox traditions in the XXI century. Vladimir Mikhailov" in All-Russian Decorative Art Museum (Moscow).
Vladimir Mikhailov is an artist-jeweler, who works in an ancient technique of portrayal Orthodox images, which has been originated in Pskov and Novgorod in XII-XIII centuries. By the power of his talent and hard manual labor, he managed to build an elegant but strong bridge between the past and the future; and recreate the continuity of generations. The exhibition presents the earliest artist works of stone and bone, along with products made of metal in the technique of small plastic, dedicated to orthodox holidays: Easter, Christmas, Day of memory of Saint Peter and Saint Fevronia (Day of Love, Family and Faithfulness); and sacraments—wedding, baptism.
Within the framework of an exhibition, following lectures will be organized:

April 24 (Sunday), 16:00—Andrei Borovsky Lecture (Moscow).
Andrei Borovsky is a folk costume researcher, ethnoculturologist, art critic, museologist, and a member of the International Association of Art Critics.
Subject: "Traditional clothing in Russian Orthodox culture."
What changes had occurred to the Russian people clothing throughout its lifetime—from the cradle to the grave? What the suit says about its owner and his status? How many ages Russian women's clothing had? Why was it not enough for peasant woman to have three chests of clothes, while her husband could get along with only three shirts? Was there fashion in the countryside?
Folk costume is not only a monument to the original culture, but also, the anthropological information source. It confirms that our clothes change with time more than we ourselves do.


May 3 (Tuesday) 16:00—Anna Nekrylova Lecture (St. Petersburg)
Anna Nekrylova is a philologist, folklorist, theater critic, lecturer, Ph.D. in History of Arts, researcher of the Institute of Russian Literature (the Pushkin House), Russian Academy of Sciences. She is also the author of works on the Russian traditional city festivals, folk theater, Russian folk calendar; which includes "Russian folk city festivals, amusement and entertainment. The end of the XVIII century - the beginning of the XX century"(L., 1988); "Russian traditional calendar" (SPb., 2007).
Subject: "The Orthodox holidays: Easter in the context of traditional folk culture."
Easter is the main Christian holiday. In Rus', it started to be celebrated at the end of the X century. In popular mind, Easter has united with nature's spring awakening, which seems like taking part in a joyous celebration of the greatest evangelistic event, which marks the victory of light over darkness and death. The Christian faith—deeply penetrated into people, becoming their spiritual need—has led to rethinking of agricultural pre-Christian ideas; it gave birth to a special phenomenon, called national Orthodoxy. Figurative and symbolic world view of peasants has left its mark on traditional calendar holidays, including Easter time—the Bright Week; when, along with the strict execution of religious rites, people indulged in purely earthly, rooted since time immemorial, entertainment; such were the popular games with colored eggs, swing, dance, rich tableful. Some folk customs have found a special form, becoming professional arts, e.g. the famous gift eggs (Faberge and his followers), greeting cards, and so on.
Watching the exquisite works of Vladimir Mikhailov recall Fyodor Dostoyevsky words, saying that without the rudiments of positiveness and grace, person cannot go out in life from childhood; without the rudiments of positiveness and grace, the generation should not be released on a journey. To start a new path, we have a point of reference, and the invaluable experience of ancestors, which is being revived; and the present, rich with creativity, promising us the multi-faceted future. You can make sure of it from April 20 to May 9 in All-Russian Decorative Art Museum (Moscow).

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All-Russian Decorative Art Museum
Address: Moscow, ul. Delegatskaya 3
Metro stations nearby: Novoslobodskaya, Mayakovskaya, Tsvetnoy Bul’var
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