Thousand flowers. Tapestry in glass.

Fused glass. Frit painting. 2013. 39 x 54 cm.

This work is a fused glass re-creation of the famous 15th century tapestry from the series Lady and the Unicorn

Original work: 

Ornamental Fantasy.

This is my own design and idea. 

Idea: Philosophical and Lyrical

There are small cubes flying in the sky. They represent the human souls and other pieces of the Universe. They are flying in the sky and sometimes falling to the earth, forming a beautiful ornament consisting of human lives. In this ornament one can see different orders and various patterns. They represent different human connections and different life paths. Souls are leaving from the earth and returning back to the sky and in time they will fall back down. This is the process of reincarnation, the process of a continuous life cycle in the Universe.

Idea: Optical Effects

1)To create an optical 3D illusion of volume in the sphere and in the rhombic base.

2) To achieve movement in the composition (in the sphere, in the sky, overall).

 Size 84 x 124 cm. 

 Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 2012

Ways of imagination.

Ways of imagination (inspired by A.Durer's woodcut "Rhinoceros", 1515).

2012. Mosaic glass on glass. 91 x 61 cm 

Genius Albrecht Durer made his drawing of the Rhinoceros in 1515 based on a verbal descriptions. He has never seen a real Rhinoceros. He was curious. 

This image of the Rhino has been famous for almost 500 hundred years now, and has inspired many other artworks including the beautiful sculpture of the Rhino made by Salvador Dali.

I used his drawing as a base for my own study of human imagination.  What makes the story in this mosaic? What do you see in this mosaic?

Is this a baby Rhino or a strong and mighty adult warrior?  Do you see aggression, joy or curiosity? A pool of blood or … cranberry juice from the bamboo forest? Is it just a curious animal smelling something red or a champion looking at the blood after a colossal fight? Is the Rhino wearing a strong shield or a fuzzy sweater made by the Rhino’s grandma?

The central part of the composition is the Rhino, no doubt about that. But for story behind the piece, you have to change your perspective and start from the bottom corner…

It is amazing how one small piece of unique red and green glass can change the whole story. Depending on the interpretation of the red puddle, you can imagine completely different things. It is amazing how one piece of glass or one little touch can adjust your feelings and will make you smile or frown.

Durer said in his work that the Rhino’s skin resembles a turtle’s shell and that the Rhino is a very joyful animal. These thoughts pushed me to wonder which colors Durer would use for this mighty piece.

  

Unique and rare glass was used in this mosaic. Some of the glass is out of production and is nowhere to be found today. This work is a tribute to the beauty of stained glass, to the genius of Durer and to the intricacy of human imagination.

UPD. 28.06.2021 Glass Herd of Durer's Rhinos. 2020-2021+2012 - here

Prophet Elijah in the desert.

The work is the most detailed, technically difficult and large in size so far. This is  the copy of the XVII century Greek icon, called Prophet Elijah in the desert. It shows prophet Elijah sitting in the cave and raven bringing him food.

Prophet Elijah in the desert.
Fused glass. Frit painting. 2013. 

Leo. 2011

Back in 2005, I visited Cloisters in New York for the very first time. I came across a 13th century fresco of a lion. This fresco reminded me of someone whom I owe my developmental progress as a person. I worked under his supervision for many years including the time when I worked as a geologist in the Russian Arctic. He had a unique charisma, a unique alloy of energy, a willingness to succeed, a hard character and a special kind of charm. His name was  Leo A. Savostin. He was a person with a quite astounding biography and he lived a remarkable life. This work is my tribute to him.

What happens when you come into contact with a completely unknown environment? You don't know how to behave, act or what to expect, you know nothing. Yet you possess an inner strength, charisma, a willingness to win, to go on... You have your personality.

What I did, was I gave my 13th century lion "Leo" a time machine. All of a sudden he is swept to the modern world. Now he is stuck here forever. What to do?

In my mosaic there is a powerful contrast between a 13th century lion "Leo" and a very intense and bright pattern. You can see him walking with a goal of getting out. The walls start to crumble before him. Where they lead, nobody knows, but "Leo" will succeed anywhere.   

The colors used in this mosaic were the main challenge. I wanted to create a very dynamic, very contrasted and a extremely modern environment. Not just Black and White, but insane! The colors chosen put a heavy yet energetic feel on the surroundings of "Leo". This 13th century lion was meant to look very much like the fresco in Cloisters yet at the same time retaining the look of a real person.

This mosaic required a lot of saw work to create the delicate pieces of "Leo". This is my very first glass mosaic. I used a special transparent glue to attach the pieces to the glass base and afterwords grouted with black grout. This mosaic can be seen with light coming through and without it.  

Size 45 x 60 cm. 

Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 2011.  

Broken Infinity, 2012

Thousands of years ago there were unknown civilizations.

People were able to do things which now seem impossible to us.

They were able to fly and travel using just mental energy; they are superhumans to us.

They were granted Higher Knowledge and Supreme Power.

They were also complete with love, families and kids, and thought this would last forever.

All of a sudden everything collapsed. Everything that appeared to be infinite and immortal, was gone at once.

The moment shown on the mosaic is the fall of the Higher Knowledge and the civilization of Supreme Beings.

In spite of all their Knowledge and Power they are doomed to disappear.

In the mosaic they are shown as a diagonal line heading toward the huge whirlpool.

As this is occurring, New Supreme beings and new Gods are coming out…

They will be Gods for other great civilizations but will be also doomed to fade away and disappear.

In the mosaic the new gods are represented by the Fish, the Eagle and the Snake.There are different parts of Higher Knowledge shown from shallow to deep (light blue to dark blue).

The moment shown is the change of epochs, and the “quantum loop” of human history; the broken infinity of history of any civilization.

Every one of these civilizations was certain of their own immortality.

Size 61 x 61 cm

Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  2012

Size 61 x 61 cm

Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 2012

Mozarabic style. Early Spanish manuscripts.

Christ in Majesty. Moralia in Iob. A.D. 945. Spanish manuscript.
Fused glass. Frit painting. 2013

The Dragon gives his power to the Beast.
 Facundus Beatus. 1047. Spanish manuscript. 
Fused glass. Frit painting. 2013

Music. Stained glass panel. 2013.

The stained glass panel called "Music" is meant to work as a "curtain" so you can slide it back and forth on the window sill. "Music" is a philosophical work. Our life, every moment of it contains multiple bits and pieces, different people, happiness and sadness, rhythm and rain, sun and moon, sounds and silence. It changes every moment and every time the picture will be different and this is indefinite. Is it possible to create a continuous flow of life? Is it possible to make it dynamic and changing? You can find patterns and dejavu, you can see how the flow goes in different directions and you can see that this flow will continue even out of the stained glass itself.

Music. 
Stained glass. 2013. 120 x 90 cm. 

Just for Fun. 2013

I tried to create a funny variation, based off a Japanese painting. It is called Geisha and the Giraffe. When you think of a Japanese woman, you would most likely imagine someone very miniature in size. What will happen if I put together small woman and tallest land animal in the world? What will you see if I make the tallest animal smaller then the miniature woman? Would this woman "grow" in your mind or you will try to think about a "baby giraffe"? :-) 
Here is the story of the geisha and the giraffe. The geisha was walking in a beautiful garden with Cherry blossom trees. All of a sudden, she heard the sound of a branch snapping. When she turned around, she saw a giraffe. Original work by Utamaro (c.1793) .

Alphabet of the Universe.

Fused glass. Frit painting. 2013

 I created the periodic table of elements and there some cartoon characters involved. These characters are from famous Russian and American cartoons. 

Merlin and Archimedes. 

Fused glass. Frit painting. 2013

Tiger. Fused glass. Frit painting. 23 x 24 cm.  2013

Harmony of the World.

There are two different approaches to the Idea of Harmony: Lyrical and Symbolical. 

Symbolical part.

The Harmony of the World is a philosophical project. The initial idea was that rose-windows from medieval Europe and spiritual mandalas found in Asia would probably have the same symbolical meaning. So I decided to create my own design of a rose-window, using symbols which are commonly found in different cultures and teachings.

The central part design is taken from a 14th century rose-window from a French convent.

The surrounding circles are divided into three major groups: the Duality group, the group of Elements, and the Movement group. 

The Duality group is represented by four circles which are made with only two colors of glass. The yellow glass represents Yang (male) energy while the purple represnts Yin (female) energy. I intentionally avoided black and white colors. The purple night and the bright yellow day is an excellent example of universal duality. the Duality group includes the Vitrouvian man, Yin and Yang, Compass and the Cross.

The group of Elements is represented by four circles: Fire (red), Water (blue), Earth (green) and Air(yellow). 

The Movement group is represented by four circles. They are slightly larger compared to the others. They represent all the different types of Universal movement: in and out, clockwise and counterclockwise and evolution (gradual) and the quantum loop (sudden jump) movement.

All the symbols are grouped into different systems: pentads, triangles, hexagons etc. The Harmony of the World is constructed as a multileveled system of symbols and meanings.

It contains meditative structures, so it's meant for healing, meditation, calming and relaxation.

Lyrical Part.

This story was initially written in Russian. To the best of my abilities, I translated it to English. I hope I kept the rhythm of it :)

Dance of Harmony

The Night Sky was glowing

Reflecting lights from other magical Worlds

 There were many stars in the sky

 They were quietly whispering to each other

 They liked to appear in the night sky

 They knew that they are beautiful

 They also knew that their beauty attracts all

 And all the people, young and old, man and woman

 Watched the starry sky

Stars saw different emotions

Very different emotions

They saw laughter and tears, smiles and sadness, anger and apathy

They heard songs and silence.

The Stars were amazed

They were glowing in the night sky for limitless years

They saw many people

And everything was the same

Nothing changed.

They saw the same emotions as hundreds, as thousands of years ago

Sometimes the stars were dreaming

They wanted to see something new

And their dreams came true

New people, new eyes appeared

To watch the starry sky

This is the Order of Harmony. 

God smiled

Everything was is order

God loved the order

When the Universe was created, the order was there

It is called the Order of Harmony.

  

Stars in the night sky

Were meant to calm and soothe the soul

This rule of the Order of Harmony never changed.

  

The night sky is home to the dance of Harmony

Calm and proud, gentle and vivid, charming and elegant

Look in the center -  
It breathes.

Like a crystal ball, pulling you in.

  

The Order of Harmony has a sacred formula

It does not matter if you know it or not

From the tiniest atom

To the largest Galaxy

From a newborn baby

To the final breath

From the bottom of the sea

To the tips of the world

Everything follows the rules.

Some people can hear the music of Harmony

And acknowledge the Beauty of it

Some people are grasping 

Some people are clueless

But all of them are watching the starry night sky.

Size 110 x 150 cm.

Calgary, Alberta - Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 2006-2008.