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Current Events at TMORA

Exhibitions


Monday, February 2nd, 2009 through Sunday, August 30th, 2009

Russkiy Salon: Select Favorites and Newly Revealed Works

Main and Mezzanine galleries

Russkiy Salon will feature some of the most remarkable and popular paintings exhibited at TMORA over the past six years. This unique exhibition allows art-lovers the opportunity to reacquaint themselves with the familiar masterpieces. Approximately 54 paintings will be on view including works such as the beloved Milkmaids, Novella, by Nikolai N. Baskakov, the dramatic and evocative Unmade Bed by Mai Dantsig, and many other outstanding works of 20th century Russian art. The exhibition will also include pieces that have not been previously displayed. Among them is an epic work by the eminent Soviet artist Yuri Pimenov First of May Celebration. This piece is part of TMORA's permanent collection, and will be on display for the first time in the US.

Saturday, March 7th, 2009 through Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Postage Stamps: Messengers of the Soviet Future

Lower gallery

This exciting exhibition spans nearly 100 years of illustrative history, tracing the evolution of a country through the impactful images contained on postage stamps. The stamps, rich in artistry and visual eloquence, communicated the Soviet Union's aspirational utopian vision to the people of the USSR and around the world. On exclusive display through September 20, 2009, this original exhibition features approximately 300 rare stamps on loan from a private collector.

Coming this Fall, September 28, 2009 through February 28, 2010

Photographer to the Tsar: Revealing the Silk Road

Lower gallery

The fabled Silk Road spanned several thousand miles, connecting East and West, stretching from China and India to Central Asia, Afghanistan and the Mediterranean Sea. For two millennia, exotic goods, as well as artistic styles and cultural traditions migrated in both directions leaving a lasting impact on civilizations across vast expanses. The Silk Road became a symbol of economic and cultural exchange between East and West.

A land of ancient oases and sun burnt deserts, Central Asia became the possession of the Russian Empire through conquest in the second half of the 19th century. To conduct a visual survey of these far reaches of the Empire, Tsar Nicholas II commissioned the innovative chemist and photographer Sergei M. Prokudin-Gorskii to travel there by rail in the early years of the 20th century. He documented an amazing scope of subjects: ancient ruins and vivid street scenes, local clothing and housing, beggars, merchants, horsemen, and khans imprinted on color slides of unprecedented quality. Photographer to the Tsar: Revealing the Silk Road features 26 photographs, presented in custom-made light boxes, bearing witness to the region's fascinating past.

Image: Fabric Merchant, Samarkand. c. 1910. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Public Programs


Thursday, July 9th, 7pm

A Midsummer's night of Rachmaninoff with Pianist Denis Evstuhin

Tickets: $10 (members and non-members) for this very special event.

One night only! Denis Evstuhin has performed in major cities and venues in Germany, Austria, Spain, Russia, France, Switzerland, Finland, Poland, Estonia, and the US. He is a laureate of numerous international piano competitions. Mr. Evstuhin is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at the University of Minnesota.

Thursday, July 30th, 7pm

Lecture: The Life and Art of Fedot V. Sychkov

Presented by TMORA Curator Maria Zavialova, Ph.D.

Sychkov's work is featured in the current exhibition Russkiy Salon: Select Favorites and Newly Revealed Works. Dr. Zavialova will discuss the artist's career and present samples of traditional Russian clothing. The image is Sychkov's Friends, 1930. Oil on Canvas

Thursday, August 13th, 7pm

Lecture: The Engraving & Printing of Postage Stamps

Presented by Serik Kulmeshkenov

Award-winning graphic artist Serik Kulmeshkenov, a native of Kazakhstan, discusses the art of engraving and printmaking in conjunction with the current exhibition Postage Stamps: Messengers of the Soviet Future. To learn about the artist's unique background and see samples of his work, visit his website: serik.webs.com

Thursday, August 20th, 7pm

Book Club Discussion: Nikolai Gogol's "The Overcoat"

Facilitated by University of Minnesota Professor of Russian Language and Literature Gary R. Jahn

"We've all come out from under Gogol's "Overcoat" --Fyodor Dostoevsky, referring to himself and his fellow Russian writers. One could argue that modern Russian literature begins with Gogol's 1842 novella "The Overcoat." With satirical humor, Gogol tells the story of a lowly civil servant's quest to procure a new overcoat in the harsh Russian winter. Professor Jahn will facilitate the discussion of the English translation. Come with questions and ideas for discussion! Editions of Gogol's works are available in the museum shop, The Izba.

With the exception of the piano concert, all events and lectures are free for TMORA members. Non-members are welcome with regular museum admission.

*Sorry, library passes not valid for event admission. Space is limited. RSVP to Lynda Holker at 612-821-9045 or lholker@tmora.org.

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