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