At
the time of change, uncertainty, and instituting new traditions it is
important to be able not to negate history and social cohesion. What if
one day you wake up realized there is no more literature, music,
painting, or any other art form? Will you still feel confident without
heritage? Art can be an escape from what makes you insecure. Something
calming, bringing you full circle, giving some time to think.
From
this perspective, you can understand the value of conservation and
restoration of art. The longer the life of a masterpiece, the more
meanings it has, and the more people feel its influence. In the Japanese
language there exists a special term - kasugai. This word currently has
a comprehensive meaning of the link between generations and cultures
although initially, it was just a connecting peace in architecture.
Therefore painting is becoming a metaphor of connection by binding
together civilization since the beginning.
History
has witnessed many schisms and conflicts, times when society suddenly
turned separated and confronted, but the art always held its position. A
lot of people had to leave their countries only during the last
century. Let us take USSR as an example: Shalyapin, Nabokov,
Solzhenitsyn, Brodsky, Dovlatov, and countless others are on the list.
All of them continued their work in exile notwithstanding the
difficulties of language and entirely new circumstances. The last huge
wave of emigration happened in the 1990s when the collapse took place.
Not only the political issues but instability and wishing a better
measure of living had its impact. Fortunately, a large number of expats
became decent citizens and did their best to fit in. Sergey
Konstantinov, a Ukrainian-born artist producing classical and
contemporary murals, restoration, and conservation decorative arts,
paintings, and sculpture, shares his story and art view.
I
came from Ukraine, a small town called Zhmerinka, and I have only warm
memories of it. It made my DNA: friends, school, sports, the very
beginning of my art career was also there. Then I joined the art
college, where I was exploring Ukrainian folk art, which helped me to
understand the wealth and the history of our nation. After that, I
continued my way and enrolled in the Lviv National Academy of art to
study the world culture, but, you know, from a Soviet view. Since
freshman year of Academy I have been participating in exhibitions of
Artists’ Union. Another step - my moving to Baku for my first work. We
had some State assignments, exhibitions, and also creative works. The
first commission was from the Ministry of Culture and Exhibitions
Division in Moscow. In the 90s there were many conflicts between Armenia
and Azerbaijan, so I asked for refugee status and came to San
Francisco. Now, for almost 30 years, I have family, my studio, and the
work of my life here in America.
Once
I was commissioned a mural of a room. The building was constructed on
the designer’s sketch, and my task was to visually combine and harmonize
the interior using colors. I had to find a color that could connect all
the items: golden sconces, mirrors, and other furniture. It was hard
but exhilarating. I like a challenge, it gives me satisfaction. It took
me 2 months to finally depict what was on my mind. The routine practice I
had that days was to take pictures in the morning and to plan my
tomorrow work - the system helps you to keep it in check and to avoid
any mistakes.
During
the lifetime experience you are searching for explanation, finding
nuances, and changing your perspective. That is where creation has its
source - you cannot force yourself to art but it begins from within
ourselves. I just can’t help the overwhelming desire I have at these
moments, but it is a painting giving me the reason to create and not
vice versa.
There are no failures in the path. Even
an unsatisfactory result is your experience. You can give a fight to
your weaknesses, it will make you stronger, so you will have a better
outcome next time. It is never too late to fix the situation.
Paintings Bookshelves. The creative proposal for this painting originated from Ann Getty, who
desired a painting of a bookshelf. I designed a composition of two
bookshelves side-by-side in a diptych style. Each bookshelf is divided
into four parts, exhibiting disciplines of the humanities: theatre,
literature, and art. The masks displayed at the top shelves are
recognized as a symbol of theatre and drama, and originate from Greek
mythology. I sketched the masks to determine the placement of the comedy
and tragedy character. Old but precious books line the middle shelves,
with each book presenting a title of Getty’s favorite author. The
delicate art of blue and white Porcelain Delft pottery is displayed
below the literary works. Painting Bookshelves. Oil/board. 15/39in. 24 Karat Gold frame. 1999.
Forbes. Preserving The Future: Art And Artistry Of Sergey Konstantinov.
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