“On Seven Hills,” an exhibition of urban landscape painting. Tvorchestvo Exhibition Hall, Moscow, August 14–29, 2012.
“The first hill is the Kremlin and Kitay-Gorod, whose highest point is occupied by Ivan the Great; the second, the most extensive, includes the Myasnitskaya and Sretenskaya districts and even part of the Yauza district; the third hill is Tverskaya, stretching from Truba to Presnya; the fourth is Three Mountains; the fifth is Shvivaya Gorka; the sixth is Lefortovo; and finally the seventh, unnamed, lies on the right bank of the Moskva River, the ridge where Neskuchnoye is located, whose continuation forms the Sparrow Hills…”
Alexey Alexandrovich Martynov, Moscow archaeologist (1820–1895).
Moscow: A Detailed Historical and Archaeological Description of the City (Moscow, 1865; 2nd edition 1875, text by Snegirev)
On Seven Hills
On the eve of Moscow’s 865th anniversary, a group of Moscow artists prepared a gift for the capital’s residents and visitors: an exhibition of urban landscape painting with the symbolic title “On Seven Hills.”
Contemporary art has deeply penetrated the virtual space and taken a worthy place there, not only as an object of visual pleasure and financial interest, but also as a reason for intellectual discussion and debate. All the artists presented in the exhibition have long been recognized masters of the cityscape. Most members of intellectual online communities and social networks are well acquainted with their work. Many information and news agencies often use their paintings to illustrate websites, articles and editorial materials. Major government and business organizations hold works by the artists of this informal association in their collections.
Exhibition participants:
Anna Charina — A romantic, feminine and tender image of the capital, as if washed by rain, is embodied in her works.
Alexander Starodubov — A mystical transformation: an image of Moscow’s past enters his canvases as if through a time machine.
Alexey Shalaev — This artist brings to canvas a vivid and memorable image of his native city. His “Colorful Moscow” is sometimes rainy, sometimes sunny, but always warm and inviting.
Vladimir Gerasimov — His paintings are marked by light symbolism and an airy image of the beloved city, with subtle coloristic nuances.
Oleg Trofimov — The master’s free, broad manner of painting gives the imagination room to roam. On his canvases the city seems to shimmer with colorful strokes, like flashes of sunlight.
Ramil Gappasov — A light sense of understatement and the ability to emphasize what is essential in a composition are characteristic of this artist. His city is dynamic and filled with the living light of color.
Visitors will see a substantial selection of more than 60 canvases. A thematic exhibition of paintings by masters of this level is not a frequent event, even for a capital audience accustomed to a rich cultural life. Each artist in the group is an established, independent master. By uniting for this exhibition, they have multiplied the artistic power and visual appeal of the exposition.
Tvorchestvo Exhibition Hall is open daily from 11:00 to 19:00 (Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00), with no lunch break; closed on Monday.
Address: 31/22 Taganskaya Street, Moscow, 109147.
Phone/Fax: +7 (495) 678-55-78