CULTURE The Minsk Times Thursday, August 18, 2011 9 Desire for unique diversity Personal exhibitions by two different artists vividly demonstrate their common ambition to be individual

By Victor Mikhailov The deep thought processes behind his works certainly at- Both Alexander Slepov and tract attention. People stand for Sergey Pyzhikov are enjoying quite some time gazing at them, personal exhibitions at Minsk’s embraced by these paintings so Palace of Arts, dedicated to their full of colour. It is his palette 60th birthdays. Each boasts huge which enables him to realise his creative experience, intentions. Allegory and symbol- borne from years ism are his tools, used to explore of research, ex- the theme of space, the Uni- perimentation verse, the Earth and our human and self-discovery attitudes to these as artists. However, the elements. two exhibitions have very different faces, distinguished in style and colour and, im- portantly, their way of thinking. Sergey Pyzhikov was born in the Minsk Region. Although he gradu- ated from the Design Department of the Belarusian Th eatre and Arts Institute, he later studied painting and drawing. He now perceives himself not so much as a design- er but as an artist. His works are immediately impressive in their emotional intensity, showing that YEVGENIYA GRIBLO YEVGENIYA he is passionate about drawing Many of Sergey Pyzhikov’s works inspired by personal observations the sky. According to Sergey, his quiet childhood living in a village Alexander Slepov worked as art plays a major role in his creativi- proach is rich in its diversity, while oft en saw him sitting on the roof a decorator for some time, hav- ty. Th ere, he uses colour and stylised encompassing Realism, the vivid admiring the night sky and stars… ing graduated from the Arts and sculptural solutions, diff erentiating boldness of Cubism, Suprematism inspiring his awe and fascination. Graphic Department of the Vitebsk within his theme in subtle ways. and Surrealism. His themes range “Pictures are born from our minds,” Pedagogical Institute. For thirty Over the last decade, Mr. Sle- from mythology to social relations. he asserts. “Such thoughts are not years, he has been a member of the pov’s creative range has signifi cantly Each artist is quite diff erent yet featureless, being borne from Belarusian Union of Artists and has expanded, adding painting to his united in spirit and in their fascina- impressions, refl ecting long specialised in decorative and repertoire of sculpture and graphic tion with their surroundings. Th ey current events in the monumental art. His sculptures and art. He is continually developing the each aim to refl ect their thoughts world: earthquakes, decorative wood carving panels are idea of fi gurative, geometric symbol- via the most expressive medium: art. Alexander the tsunami in Japan… Slepov loves to exquisite examples of using wood’s ism, as began by the Suprematists, Th eir shared ambition is obvious. all are sensed and, later, refl ected experiment in his texture and fl exibility. He has also inspired by the work of other paint- Th eir diversity, power and original- on canvas or cardboard.” art works designed installations but graphic ers and sculptors. His stylistic ap- ity are striking. Time comes to Professionals love good music watch best films By Tatiana Pastukhova Bazaar in Vitebsk Festival of Arts and, this year, was By Tatiana Pastukhova fi rst ever Belarusian nation- National Concert delighted to accompany al pavilion and Belarusian Orchestra of Belarus Belarusian Alena Lanskaya Listapad-2011 organisers fi lms are to be shown at the prioritises its support of — who won the Grand Prix prepare programme for 19th International Actors’ talented young musicians at the 20th International fi lm forum Festival Sozvezdie (Constel- On August 16th, the Or- Vitebsk-2011 Pop Song 18th International Lista- lation) held at Russian Kos- chestra launched its jubilee Contest. “Our Orchestra pad-2011 Film Festival shall troma, at the 14th Berdyansk 25th concert season. “Time supports young musicians take place from 5th-12th International Film Festival has passed quickly. It seems involved in jazz and sym- November and the prepara- in Ukraine and at the 20th hardly any time has passed phonic culture. This year, tory work is underway. Rep- Open Film Festival of CIS since we were worried about we toured a dozen Bela- resentatives of the Festival’s countries, Latvia, Lithuania setting up such a large team. rusian specialised music organising committee have and Estonia — Kinoshock We can now look back on schools, offering master visited leading European fi lm (Anapa, Russia). our achievements over the classes and lecturing on the events to gain experience Belarus’ Culture Minis- years. One of our focuses development of Belarusian and to help them decide how try has formed a Listapad today is our search for new music. These were highly best to promote this major directorate to ensure prepa- talent, supporting budding appreciated,” says Mr. Fin- BELTA Belarusian fi lm forum and rations go smoothly, while musicians and singers. In Mikhail Finberg’s Orchestra performs berg. how to select fi lms. Among fulfi lling obligatory condi- our 25 years of work, many of Maxim Bogdanovich, to say that, in recent years, The jubilee season will them was the 2nd Film Festi- tions for accreditation by the famous Belarusian pop Yanka Kupala, Yakub Ko- we’ve revived the names of be full of surprises — as is val of Young European Cin- International Federation of singers have emerged from las, Arkady Kuleshov and many famous 20th century traditional. Apart from or- ema — 3D VOICES (held in Film Producers Associations our team, later becoming Vladimir Korotkevich, Belarusian composers,” ganising the usual festivals, Russian Vologda), the 2nd — FIAPF (the present ac- People’s or Honoured Ar- among others. The Orches- notes Mr. Finberg. “Al- the Orchestra plans festive International Film Forum creditation is valid for a two tistes and winning laureate tra also initiates various though these people are sel- concerts in Minsk and Mos- (St. Petersburg), the 8th an- year period). titles,” emphasises Professor festivals. Its jubilee season dom covered by the media, cow. “We’ll then look at the nual Golden Apricot Interna- Th e FIAPF has already Mikhail Finberg, who heads includes the Jazz Music they each significantly con- results, deciding on what tional Film Festival (Arme- accredited 52 festivals and the Orchestra and is a Bela- Festival and the Hits for All tributed to the development should become our future nia, Yerevan), the 61st Berlin Listapad’s new status will en- rusian State Award holder. Times Festival. Additional- of our national musical art. focus,” explains the maes- International Berlinale Film able it (aft er a two year trial) Another branch of the ly, the team has been organ- Among them are Piotr Pod- tro. Speaking of his own Festival and international to join the most prestigious Orchestra’s work is the pro- ising smaller festivals in 15 kovyrov, Yevgeny Glebov musical preferences, Mr. fi lm events in Lithuania and international fi lm forums, motion of Belarusian music. Belarusian cities, devoted and Dmitry Smolsky.” Finberg notes that he loves Sweden. such as those in Berlin, Already, 27 programmes to the history of Belarusian The National Concert good music. “We don’t have Th e 64th Cannes Film Cannes, Venice and San Se- have been prepared — music from the 18th cen- Orchestra traditionally per- anything to do with unpro- Festival recently featured the bastian. dedicated to the artistry tury onwards. “I’m proud forms at the annual Slavonic fessional music,” he adds.