This week’s adventures lead me to the Russian Art Museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The museum is located on Stevens Avenue near I35. The Russian Art Museum is the only museum in North America that is dedicated only to Russian art. The museum is even showing for the first time 18 different paints that have never been in the United States before.

I found this museum really interesting and educational. The structure of the building and design is set up as a church. The outside of the building is gorgeous and very detailed. Once you walk into the museum you are greeted by a very nice elderly Russian lady.

If you tell the lady at the desk it is your first time visiting she will explain the museum to you and give you a little information at the end. Once you have completed your visit there is a survey. I recommend filling out this survey. If you decide to fill the survey out the lady will give you a “Photographer to the TSAR,” broacher. This broacher will have all the photos that are from the TSAR gallery downstairs in it with information about them. It might not sound like much but trust me, it is cool!

As for the museum, once you walk into the museum you are viewing a room that is dark. The colors that were chosen for all the galleries gave the rooms more of a relaxed feeling as well as drawing all the attention to the paintings and photos. Out of all the gallery’s I have posted previously, this was the gallery I feel was well thought out on getting the viewers attention and engagement into the work of arts. I found it very hard to continue to look around at all the other works while looking at one specific works of art.

I mention this because sometimes when viewing one work of art another one will grasp your attention and you are no longer being engaged into the piece you were previously looking at. This is a problem I encounter when walking into a bright room that has a bunch of different works of art located in the room. I sometimes find it very difficult to look at only one work of art and getting the full feeling the piece is trying to give me; although, I did not encounter this problem at the Russian Art Museum.

I noticed while looking at all the paintings the majority of the paintings were of people and workers. The photography as well as the paintings revolved around the Russian culture and different struggles the people had to overcome.

That’s enough about the building and atmosphere if I tell you too much you may decide on not attending.

The first gallery I encountered was Russkiy Salon. The Russkiy Salon is where all the paintings were located. This gallery has a main floor as well as an upstairs contains many different paintings with a verity of landscapes and Russian people.

I found myself engaged in three different paintings the most. These three paintings were “The Seer, 1900’s, Iron Workers, 1930 and Unmade Bed, 1986.” All paints were done with oil and canvas except for The Sheer, this painting was oil and paper.

The Sheer created by Fillipp Andreevich Malyavin caught my eye because of the peasant’s facial reaction and eyes. Fillipp embraced philosophy into his paintings and he often painted pictures of peasant’s capturing both human and economic values. The detail and colors that went into this painting gave me a feeling of satisfaction; however, I do not feel the peasant was satisfied. He almost looked sadden and disturbed. The eyes were a little on even but yet it was as if he was looking straight into your eyes with a look of emptiness. The colors that were used to create this picture had a lot of impact on me when I was looking at this painting.

The second painting I found myself most engaged in caught my attention because of the background colors. This painting used a lot of red and orange to create different colors and affects. As I looked at this painting I was able to depict what the painting was about before reading the side clip next to it. I was very amazed that I knew what was going on before reading what the artist was trying to create.

The painting I am talking about in the previous paragraph is called The Iron Workers by Olga Dmitrieva Yanovskaya. Olga emphasizes the workers forceful and movement to perform urgent tasks. Olga lived in Moscow and took art classes to become a member in the Revolutionary Russia.

I found this painting very strong and powerful. The picture is of 5 workers that are just a black bold image mining iron for heated furnace behind them. The colors used in this painting are eye catching. The bright reds and oranges will draw anyone’s attention in and engage a viewer.
The third painting I am going to mention happened to be my favorite and is located on the second level. This painting grasped my attention from the lower main level and brought my eyes right up stairs. I would have to say this painting will never be forgotten by me. I will add this painting into my book of favorites.

The title of this painting is Unmade Bed painted by Mai Volfovich Dantsig. Dantisig’s talent was first noticed by his father and teacher. He started to develop his paintings when he and his fellow students romanticized the harsh realities of life.

Unmade Bed is a beautiful painting that draws the viewer into the bedroom. When standing in front of this painting you really are looking at the room as if you are in the room. The angles of the objects are painted correctly as well as the images. The colors the painter used are very vibrant and bold. With that said the color is what I feel depicts the image.

After viewing the Unmade Bed I’d adventured my way down stairs where I was now entered the TSAR Hall or also known as the photography hall. This room was incredible the set up of the room was extraordinary. The room had dark blue walls with pictures randomly placed on the walls that lit up. Once again as a viewer you are drawn into the photos. In fact the only lighting within the room is created from the photos.

The photos that are being displayed are of Russia’s culture, people and landscape. When entering this room I recommend taking one of the Photographers to the TSAR broachers. This book will explain the photos and the meaning behind them. Without the broacher you may find it difficult to understand and learn about Russian photography.

I found the number 7 to be one out of three of my favorite photos being displayed in this gallery. Number 7 “Gates to the Tomb,” 16 knockers of brass and silver decorate the brightly green and red doors. Behind these doors are gardens sacred tombs and medical springs.

Number 13, “Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar,” this building was built in the 12th century on the Silk Road of Oasis City. This building is believed to be the largest city in the world. This building holds a very interesting belief that is associated with love.

The third photo I really enjoyed was number 26 “Baiga,” this picture is of the dessert with many people on camels and horses. I am not sure of the history behind this photo. The caption gave me the perspective of some kind of event occurring however it is unknown.

Before leaving the museum you will have to see one more room, this room is right before the steps to the exit and has six different photos hanging on the wall. The photos are done in an old print and will give you an illusion of the 50’s photography.

The six different photos all represent something different but yet very meaningful. The photos are: Water Carrier, Darvishes, Details of Ulugh-Bek Madrassah, Dances of a Baccha, Start School, and Barber in the Registan. Each photo represents the Russian culture and takes place outside.

When entering this room on the left hand side will be a guide, please take this guide and read along while viewing the photos. This book will explain what each photo is about and represents as well as the clothing and environment that is taking place.

As I have said before, you must visit this museum. History and art always coincide with each other and by viewing the art and learning the history one will be able to have a better understanding of the past.