Scenarist of the exhibition: B. Knoblok
The aim of the present exposition is to provide an idea of contemporary theatre life in the Soviet Union and to demonstrate the level of artistic maturity of the foremost stage designers, as well as their individual concepts of art and the world. In recent years developments in this field have been characterized by numerous enquiries into the designing aspects of productions. These researches do not have a common denominator nor a single dominant trend. The unique large stage designing schools which have developed in numerous Soviet republics, have an important role to play in this context. The work of stage designers have been broadly represented at all larger exhibitions of graphic art. Also a new tradition is being formed with the organisation of inter-republican stage design Triennials.
The modifications of various traditional stage design systems, as always, form organic wholes. The new concept of the stage as a platform which is opened up towards the audience has been established. Thus the world of drama develops before the audience, which one might say, is beginning to participate in the performance; the task of the stage designer is to provide a foundation for this action, to provoke it and organise it. Even when evident and conscious sequences are taken into account, the attitude towards certain elements of scenic compositions are changing. The stress is not on architectual or technological innovation as such, but upon a new concept of the aesthetic possibilities of various materials, the manner in which they are used, the manner of lighting, the manner in which objects are assembled on the stage. The approach to poetic metaphores has become more complex, the image of the performance is becoming poly-semantic. Certain theatres are, to a growing extent, becoming aware of the fact that stage designs form a graphic environment in which the action takes place. This requires an activisation of all graphic elements, as well as methodical control of the audience s perception, according to the structure of the performance. An active interpretation of the text is a witness to the depth of thought, not only concerning the subject of the text, but also life itself, which is reflected by the theatre. The stage designer can offer an integrated concept of the performance and thus bring forth a challenge to all other authors, to consider, with the same degree of responsibility and seriousness, the theatre as a dialogue with the audience on current problems.
- David Borovskij (David Borovsky)
* 02.07.1934, Odessa, Ukraine
Education: At the age of 14 Borovsky began working as a decorator in professional theatres in Kiev
Collaboration with theatres: Kiev: Lesya Ukrainka Theatre, Ivan Franko Theatre; Moscow: Stanislavsky Drama Theatre, Taganka Theatre, Bolshoi Theatre
Continuing collaboration with directors: L. Varpakhovsky, B. Lvov-Anokhin, Y. Lyubimov, L. Dodin, I. Horvai, О. Efremov
Additional information: Born in 1934 in Kijev. Since 1984 he has been a chief stage designer at the Sovremennik Theatre in Moscow. He exhibited in the PQ in 1967, 1971, 1975 (in the exposition awarded by the Golden Triga — the main prize) and in 1979. In 1972 at the Triennial of Stage and Costume Design in Novi Sad he received a Gold Medal for stage design.
Began to work at professional theatre at the age of fifteen, his first sets being designed for a production at the Lesya Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre in 1956. Borovsky's talent was especially fully realized in collaboration with director Yuri Lyubimov at the Taganka Theatre, at which he has been designer-in-chief for over t h i r ty years. He also worked with such directors as Anatoli Efros, Oleg Yefremov, Valery Fokin, Galina Voychek, Leonid Heifitz, Roman Viktyuk and Andrei Smirnov. He has worked with major drama and opera companies in Russia, Europe and America. His designs are held in the collection of the Bakhrushin Central Theatre Museum. He received the Gold Medal at the PQ'71. at the PQ'75 exhibited in the Soviet exhibition which was awarded the Golden Triga.
Exhibiting works
-
: (The Convoy),
MCHAT
1975
-
: (The Cherry Orchard),
Vigszínház
1973
- Sofia Junovič
Additional information: Born in 1910, an Artist of Merit of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic; a stage designer. She graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Leningrad. She works for drama and musical theatres in Moscow and Leningrad.
Among her best known designs are the productions of A Moon for the Misbegotten and Three Sisters at the Grand Academie Theatre in Leningrad and the ballet Hamlet at the Kirov State Academie Opera and Ballet Theatre. She participated in the Prague Quadrennials in 1967 and 1971.
- Eduard Kočergin
Additional information: Born in 1937. Artist of Merit of FSRSR. Since 1972 he has been a chief stage designer at the M. Gorky Grand Academic Drama Theatre in Leningrad. He is a chief of Stage Design Studio of the I. J. Repin Institute of Painting, Architecture and Sculpture in Leningrad. He exhibited in the PQ in 1967, 1971, 1975 (in the exposition awarded by the Golden Triga — the main prize) and in 1979. In 1978 at the Triennial of Stage and Costume Design in Novi Sad he received a Gold Medal for stage design.
Obrázky z katalogu
Exhibiting works
-
: (Monologue on Marriage),
Akademičeskij těatr komedii
1973
-
: (Boris Godunov),
Oblastnoj dramatičeskij těatr im. A. S. Puškina
1973
-
: (The Wrestlers),
Akademičeskij Bolšoj dramatičeskij těatr im. M. Gorkogo
1974
- Valerij Levental
Additional information: Born in 1938. National Artist of FSRSR. He has been a stage designer
at the State Academic Grand Theatre in Moscow. He is a chief of the
Stage Design department at the MKHAT School-Studio. He exhibited in
the PQ 1967, 1971, 1975 (in the exposition awarded by the Golden Triga —
the main prize) and in 1979.
Obrázky z katalogu
Exhibiting works
-
: (The Gambler),
Akademičeskij Bolšoj těatr SSSR
1974
-
: (The Marriage),
Těatr dramy na Maloj Bronnoj
1975
-
: (The Dawns are Quiet Here),
Akademičeskij Bolšoj těatr SSSR
1975
-
: (The Cherry Orchard),
Těatr dramy i komedii na Taganke
1975
- Marina Sokolova
Additional information: Born in 1939; a stage and film designer. She graduated from the State Film Institute of the USSR. She has worked at the Sojuzmultfilm Studios and also collaborates with various musical, drama and puppet theatres. She has designed
costumes for productions at the Komische Oper in Berlin, where she collaborated with set designer V. Levental. Among her best stage designs are The Girl From the Mountains at the Small Opera and Ballet Theatre in Leningrad, The Tribunal at the Malaya Bronnaya Theatre in Moscow and Panic Among the Girls at the Operetta Theatre in Moscow. She participated in the Prague Quadrennials in 1967 and 1971.
Obrázky z katalogu
- Enar Stenberg
Additional information: Born in 1929; a stage designer and graphic artist. He graduated from the Surikov Institute of Arts. He collaborates with various musical and drama theatres and is now the chief stage designer at the Mayakovski Academie Theatre in Moscow. Among his most important works are the sets for The Seagull at the Moscow Artistic Academie Theatre /the MKhAT/, Masquerade in the Mossoviet Theatre, The Life of Galileo at the Taganka Theatre and Cinderella at the Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Academie Musical Theatre in Moscow. He participated in the Prague Quadrennial in 1967 and 1971.
Obrázky z katalogu
- Josif Sumbatašvili
Additional information: He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tbilisi. He is the chief stage designer at the Vakhtangov State Academie Theatre and also collaborates with other drama and musical theatres. For the stage sets for The Death of Ivan the Terrible, produced at the Central Academie Theatre of the Soviet Army, he obtained a Gold Medal at the Prague Quadrennial in 1967. He also participated in the Prague Quadrennial in 1971.
Exhibiting works
-
: (The Steelmen),
MCHAT
1973
-
: (The Front),
Akademičeskij těatr im. J. Vachtangova
1975
- Alexandr Vasiljev
Additional information: Born in 1911, a National Artist of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic; a stage designer, painter and industrial designer. He studied at the Memory of 1905 Art School in Moscow. He has designed the stage sets for more then 200 productions in various cities in the USSR. He participated in the création and design of the Soviet Pavillion at Expo in Brussels in 1958 and at Expo in Osaka in 1970. Among his most important stage designs are the sets for Russian classical drama, such as The Fruits of Enlightenment at the Moscow Artistic Academie Theatre /the MKhAT/, Petrograd
Dreams and A Last Sacrifice at the Mossoviet Theatre. He participated in the Prague Quadrennial in 1967 and 1971.
Exhibiting works
-
: (The Forest),
Akademičeskij Malyj těatr SSSR
1973
-
: (Tsar Feodor Iovannovich),
Divadlo na Vinohradech
1975
- Nikolaj ZOLOTARJEV (Nikolaj Zolotarev)
Additional information: Born in 1915, an Artist of Merit of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic; a stage designer and painter. He graduated from the Repin Institute of Painting, Architecture and Sculpture in Leningrad. He is the chief stage designer of the State Academie Grand Theatre of the USSR /the Bolshoi/. Among his most important stage designs are The Story of a Real Man at the State Academie Grand Theatre, Boris Godunov at the Paliashvili Opera and Ballet Theatre in Tbilisi and Virinea and Carmen at the Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Academie Musical Theatre. He participated
in the Prague Quadrennials in 1967 and in 1971.
Exhibiting works
-
: (The Dawns are Quiet Here),
Kirzinskij Akademičeskij těatr opery i baleta
1974
- Zaven Aršakuni
Additional information: Born in 1932; a painter and stage designer. He studied at the I. Repin Institute of Painting, Architecture and Sculpture in Leningrad. He works for various musical and drama theatres in Leningrad. He participated in the Prague Quadrennial in 1971.
Obrázky z katalogu
Exhibiting works
-
: (Gayané),
Leningradskij akademičeskij Malyj těatr opery i baleta
1972
- Oleg Kočakidze
Additional information: A. Slavinskij, born in 1935, together with Oleg Kochkaidze /born in 1935/ and Jurij Chikvaidze /born in 1934/ are an Artists of Merit of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. All three are stage and film designers, architects and painters. They all studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tbilisi. They began to work for the theatre in 1960 and since then are active in drama theatres in Georgia, Moscow and Leningrad. They also specialize in monumental painting and ammated cartoons. From among their stage design the sets for a production of Robin Hood at the Russian Young Audiences
Theatre in Tbilisi should be mentioned, as well as The Exile at the Rust'aveli Theatre in Tbilisi and Don't Worry Mamma, at the Malaya Bronnaya Theatre in Moscow. O. Kochakidze participated in the Prague Quadrennial in 1971.
Obrázky z katalogu
- Jevgenij Lysik
Additional information: Born in 1930, a National Artist of the Ukranian Soviet Socialist Republic. He graduated from the Art Institute in L'vov. His most famous sets were designed for the ballets Spartacus, The Legend of Love, and Notre-Dame de Paris. He participated in the Prague Quadrennial in 1971.
Obrázky z katalogu
- Simon Virsaladze
Additional information: Born in 1909, a National Artist of the USSR, laureate of the Lenin Prize. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tbilisi and at the All-Union Institute of Applied Arts in Moscow. He began to work for the theatre in the twenties. His best stage designs were made for the ballet productions of Heart of the Mountains, The Stone Flower, The Legend of Love, all at the Kirov State Academie Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Leningrad and Spartacus, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker Suite at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. He also designed the costumes for the films Hamlet and King Lear. In 1971 V. Vansalova published a monograph on S. Viriladze at the Sovetski Khudozhnik publishers. He participated in the Prague Quadrennial in 1971.
Obrázky z katalogu
- Christiane ZEUMER
Additional information: Born in 1928 in Nikolai near Osnabrück. From 1950 to 1953 she attended a school of artistic crafts in Cologne. She was an assistant to Franz Merz in Darmstadt, to Teo Otto in Düsseldorf, to Toni Businger, Ekkehard Grübler and others. She now works as a free lance costume designer. For the Ruhr Festivals she designed the costumes for Sartre's Clockwork.
Obrázky z katalogu
- Minas AVETISJAN
Additional information: Born in 1928, died in 1975. An Artist of Merit of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; a painter, graphic artist and stage designer. He studied at the I. Repin Institute of Painting, Architecture and Sculpture in Leningrad. He worked for theatres in Yerevan and Novosibirsk. Among his most important stage designs Cinderella, the sets for one-act ballets and for Gaiane should be mentioned. In 1974 the Leningrad publishing house Aurora published a monograph by G. Igityan on M. Avetisyan.
Obrázky z katalogu
- Ilmars Blumbergs
Specialization: set designer, costume designer, painter
Additional information: Born in 1945; a stage designer. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic in Riga. He works in Latvian drama theatres.
Obrázky z katalogu
Exhibiting works
-
: (Joan of Arc),
Těatr russkoj dramy
1972
- Jurij ČIKVAIDZE
Additional information: A. Slavinskij, born in 1935, together with Oleg Kochkaidze /born in 1935/ and Jurij Chikvaidze /born in 1934/ are an Artists of Merit of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. All three are stage and film designers, architects and painters. They all studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tbilisi. They began to work for the theatre in 1960 and since then are active in drama theatres in Georgia, Moscow and Leningrad. They also specialize in monumental painting and ammated cartoons. From among their stage design the sets for a production of Robin Hood at the Russian Young Audiences
Theatre in Tbilisi should be mentioned, as well as The Exile at the Rust'aveli Theatre in Tbilisi and Don't Worry Mamma, at the Malaya Bronnaya Theatre in Moscow. O. Kochakidze participated in the Prague Quadrennial in 1971.
Obrázky z katalogu
- Mart KITAJEV
Additional information: Born in 1925. National Artist of FSRSR. Since 1974 he has been a chief
stage designer at the A. S. Pushkin State Academic Drama Theatre in
Leningrad. He participated in the PQ in 1975 and in 1979.
Obrázky z katalogu
Exhibiting works
-
: (The Adventures of Chichikov or Dead Souls),
Akademičeskij těatr dramy im. A. S. Puškina
1974
- Mari-Lijs KJULO-PANSO
Additional information: Born in 1924; a stage and film designer. She studied at the State Art Institute of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic in Tallinn. She has been working in drama theatres both in Estonia and the Russian Federation. She is the chief stage designer of the Kingisepp Academie Drama Theatre. Among her most important stage designs are the sets for Hamlet, The Black Comedy, Ivanov and The Tragedy of Man.
Obrázky z katalogu
Exhibiting works
-
: (Last Summer at Chulimsk),
Akademičeskij těatr dramy im. V. Kingiseppa
1974
-
: (Fiesco, or The Conspiracy of Genoa),
Těatr junogo zritelja
1972
-
: (Man and Man),
Akademičeskij těatr dramy im. V. Kingiseppa
1972
- Jevgenij KUMAŇKOV
Additional information: Born in 1924, an Artist of Merit of tne Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.He is a stage and film designer and a graphic artist. He graduated from the State Film Institute of the USSR. At present he is the chief stage designer at the Small State Academie Theatre of the USSR. He also collaborates with various drama theatres throughout the USSR.
Obrázky z katalogu
Exhibiting works
-
: (Tsar Feodor Ioannovich),
Akademičeskij Malyj těatr SSSR
1973
-
: (The Russian People),
Akademičeskij Malyj těatr SSSR
1975
- David LIDĚR
Additional information: Born in 1917, a laureate of the State Prize of the USSR; a stage designer. He graduated from the I. Repin Institute of Painting, Architecture and Sculpture in Leningrad. He collaborates with various musical and drama theatres in the USSR. He was formerly the chief stage designer of the I. Franko Ukranian Theatre in Kiev.
Obrázky z katalogu
Exhibiting works
-
: (The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui),
Oblastnoj ukrainskij muzikalno-dramatičeskij těatr im. G. I. Petrovskogo
1975
-
: (Such a Long, Long Summer),
Akademičeskij ukrainskij dramatičeskij těatr im. I. Franko
1974
- Vladimir MAKUŠENKO
Additional information: Born in 1936; a stage and industrial designer. He graduated from the Memory of 1905 Art School in Moscow. He collaborates with a number of musical end drama theatres throughout the Soviet Union. Together with Olga Tvardovskaya he received in 1975 at the International Stage Design Exhibition in Novi Sad a Gold Medal for the costume designs for the production of Thyl Ulenspiegel at the Leninist Komsomol Theatre in Moscow. He participated in the Prague Quadrennial in 1975.
Obrázky z katalogu
- Vitalius MAZURAS (Vitalis MAZURAS)
Additional information: Born in 1934; a stage director and designer. He graduated from
the Vilnius Art School. He is now the chief stage designer and
superintendent of the Vilnius Puppet Theatre. He designs sets
both for drama and puppet theatres in Lithuenia. Among his most
important designs are those for productions of Egle - The Snake
Queen by S. Neris /at the Puppet Theatre in Kaunas in 1968, directed
by S. Ratkiyavichus/, The Ash Duckling by V. Palchins -
kaite /at the Puppet Theatre in Vilnius in 1971, directed by
V. Mazuras/ and A Fairy Boy's Tale by S. Geda /at the Puppet
Theatre in Vilnius, 1974, directed by V. Mazuras/.
Obrázky z katalogu
- Alexej SLAVINSKIJ
Additional information: A. Slavinskij, born in 1935, together with Oleg Kochkaidze /born in 1935/ and Jurij Chikvaidze /born in 1934/ are an Artists of Merit of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. All three are stage and film designers, architects and painters. They all studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tbilisi. They began to work for the theatre in 1960 and since then are active in drama theatres in Georgia, Moscow and Leningrad. They also specialize in monumental painting and ammated cartoons. From among their stage designs the sets for a production of Robin Hood at the Russian Young Audiences
Theatre in Tbilisi should be mentioned, as well as The Exile at the Rust'aveli Theatre in Tbilisi and Don't Worry Mamma, at the Malaya Bronnaya Theatre in Moscow. O. Kochakidze participated in the Prague Quadrennial in 1971.
Obrázky z katalogu
Exhibiting works
-
: (Kvatchi Kvatchantiradze),
Gosudarstvennyj Akademičeskij dramatičeskij těatr im. K. Mardžanišvili
1974
-
: (Before the Cart Overtuned),
Dramatičeskij těatr im. N. V. Gogol
1973
- Olga TVARDOVSKAJA
Additional information: Born in 1941; a stage designer. She studied at the V. Surikov
Institute of Fine Arts in Moscow. She works together with V.Makushenko
for musical and drama theatres. Together with him she
received in 1975 a Gold Medal at the International Stage Design
Exhibition in Novi Sad for costumes for the play Thyl Ulen -
spiegel at the Leninist Komsomol Theatre in Moscow. She participated
in the Prague Quadrennial in 1975.
Obrázky z katalogu
Exhibiting works
-
: (La Boheme),
Akademičeskij muzykalnyj těatr im. K. S. Stanislavskogo i Vl. I. Němiroviča-Dančenko
1973
- Gunars Zemgals
Specialization: set designer
Additional information: Born in 1934; a stage designer and painter. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Riga. He is the chief stage designer at the Upits Academie Drama Theatre in Riga. He also collaborates with various other Latvian drama theatres.
Obrázky z katalogu
Exhibiting works
-
: (Lorenzaccio),
Akademičeskij těatr dramy im. A. Upitse
1973
- Boris Messerer
* 1933, Moscow
Specialization: architect
Additional information: Born in 1933. He graduated from the Architectural Institute in
Moscow. He is active in graphics, painting and stage design .
Among his best known designs are those for productions of A Suite
from Carmen and Lieutenant Kizhe and the stage designs for
various ballets. He participated in the Prague Quadrennial in
1967 and in 1971.
Exhibiting works
-
: (The Good Soldier Schweik),
Dramatičeskij těatr im. A. S. Puškina
1973
- Andris Freibergs
Specialization: set designer
Additional information: He graduated from the Latvian Academy of Arts and currently works as stage designer and art director of the Latvian National Opera and also as Head Professor of the Stage Design Department of the Latvian Academy of Arts. He worked as a stage designer at the Leninist Komsomol Theatre in Riga. He also designs sets for theatres in other Russian cities and for theatres in Poland.He exhibited at the PQ in 1975, in 1979 and in 1995 - in 1995 he won the Silver Medal.
