goldennero.blogg.se

So these are important audiences we focus on.

We are located about one hour from Boston, and our current public includes the local and regional communities, as well as the more urban communities in Boston and Worcester. How do you see your place on the US art map? What audiences do you primarily work for? Of course, fundraising for the collection’s expansion is part of my job as well. We also intend to incorporate in it contemporary art inspired by icon painting. One of my goals is to refine and fill the gaps in our collection. It offers a comprehensive overview of Russian icons from the 15th to 19th century, with a particular emphasis on the 19th century. The core of our museum is the private collection of Gordon Langton which numbers over 1,000 pieces. How do you plan to work with the permanent collection? We also plan to showcase Greek and Ethiopian icons to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the rich history of Eastern Christian art. An upcoming exhibition, for instance, will draw comparisons between Russian icons and Mexican retablos. In the future, we want to focus more on situating Russian icons within various contexts to highlight unexpected parallels with other cultures. It’s interesting to observe the twist and turns of history: whereas in the Soviet Union religion was considered “opium for the people” and reduced to a relegated state, in modern Russia, the Orthodox Church holds significant power. One example is the recent exhibition dedicated to Soviet anti-religion propaganda posters. Over the past fifteen years, the museum has primarily focused on Russian icons and related aspects of Russian culture. I have taken on my role last May after the retirement of founding director Kent Russell, and we are now working on the development strategy and new ways of engaging audiences. The museum is currently undergoing a rebranding process, which was initiated two years ago following the passing of Gordon Langton, the museum’s founder and a great enthusiast and collector of Russian icons. And my role as the new executive director is to get this message across to our audience.ĭo you focus on specific historical aspects and artistic features of Russian icons in your exhibition and educational practices? Russia’s rich culture and history, including its orthodox art tradition, are remarkable. ​​I have worked with Russian icons all my life and for me, it is a vast and fascinating world. Indeed, promoting a niche museum is challenging, but at the same time, the uniqueness of the cultural experience that comes with it gives us a distinct advantage, which attracts visitors. Simon Morsink: We hold a unique position on the American cultural map as the only specialized icon museum in this country. What are some of the challenges related to managing a museum dedicated to a specific cultural or artistic tradition, such as Russian icons? The Museum of Russian Icons: Ancient Art in the Modern Context Fine Art Shippers spoke with Simon Morsink, the executive director of the museum, about its mission, unique position on the US museum map, and the ongoing rebranding.

It illustrates the evolution of the Russian icon from its early Egyptian and Byzantine origins to the establishment of its own tradition. The Museum of Russian Icons located in Clinton, Massachusetts, houses and displays one of the Western world’s largest collections of Orthodox Christian icons, religious artifacts, and Slavic folk arts.