MEDIA CENTRE

FIRST MAJOR RUSSIAN ART EXHIBITION IN MIDDLE EAST IS EXTENDED

Art Russe’s exhibition in Abu Dhabi, Art Russe Collection of 20th Century Russian and Soviet Art: War and Peace, has been extended until 29 February due to significant interest from the public. Over 3500 people have visited the exhibition since it opened on October 7th


This unique exhibition became the first major exposition of Russian art in the Middle East and is held under the Patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al-Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development. Initially planned to run until 10 December 2015, it includes over 120 works, created in different genres and reflecting several distinctive styles of Russian art that have developed over the past century.


The exhibition was opened with a private view at the Emirates Palace, which previously displayed artists such as Pablo Picasso. His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al-Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development cut the ribbon, launching the exhibition in the presence of Alexander Efimov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the United Arab Emirates, and members of other diplomatic missions. Among the guests of honour was also the renowned architect Jean Nouvel, designer of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.


 

According to Rena Lavery, Director of Art Russe, a keen interest in the works of Russian art in a country that today hosts a significant number of cultural projects and that confidently occupies the position of a global hub of culture, demonstrates a growing popularity of Russian art across the world. Rena Lavery, Director of Art Russe, said: Rena Lavery said: "We are extremely pleased with the success of the exhibition. Thanks to Art Russe's project, for the first time ever the audience in the Middle East was able to experience the scale of the works of Russian masters. It was decided to extend the exhibition to give an even greater number of visitors a chance to getacquaintedwith Russian art."


The exhibition is divided into four sections – the Legacy of War, Nature and Beauty, Contemplation, and Endeavour – that will unite the artworks from different generations. Many artworks became iconic for Russians, but until recently were not displayed outside of the country. In particular, the audience will see the legendary sculptures by Evgeni Vuchetich and Vera Mukhina, the celebrated paintings such as Fedor Reshetnikov’s “Low Marks Again”, “Chess Problem”, and Nikolai Reorich’s “And We are Not Afraid”. On display are works that represent the best of Russia’s art school, by artists such as Alexander Gerasimov, Alexei Gritsai, Nickolai Andronov, Semeon Chuykov, Nickolai Baskakov, Arkady Plastov, Tahir Salahov, Vladimir Stozharov, the Tkachev brothers, and many others.


The visitors can explore entirely unknown elements of Russian art history. With a wide range of styles, showing outstanding mastery, intense degree of expression, and enormous energy and individuality, Russian and Soviet artists have created a unique, multifaceted phenomenon – the Russian artistic language of the XXth century. The artworks from Art Russe’s new exhibition illustrates different aspects of life in XXth century Russia: from the legacy of war and revolution to themes such as peace, family and work. Because of the universal significance of the chosen themes, the exhibition is accessible to the widest audience, including those who have not previously seen Russian art before.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


Dates: October 7th to February 29th

Admission: 10am to 10pm

Address: Emirates Palace, Gallery 1, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi