Settled in the historic district of St. Petersburg, the New Museum is the first private museum of its kind in St. Petersburg. Local businessman, Aslan Chekhoev, opened the museum from the private collection he started twenty years ago. Opened in June 2010, the museum provides an exciting permanent collection of Soviet Non-Conformist art, as well as […]

The Nevsky 8 Art Center, is an art supply shop, gift store, gallery, and café all in one. Located at the very beginning of Nevsky Prospect, just around the corner from Palace Square, Nevsky 8 has bright lime-green signs in English to draw attention. The windows are filled with conceptual art for purchase, such as painted […]

One of the things that I enjoy about the Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service is how the Russian language department there is always trying to involve the international students in cultural events.  Whether it’s a weekend trip to an archeological dig site, or a visit to the theater to see a movie about […]

Crystal Nerpa: Ice Sculpting Competition Хрустальная нерпа: Фестиваль ледовых скульптур Listvyanka, Irkutsk Oblast Entry: 200 rubles into the park with the action (including ice slides and other attractions), but free to hang out on the ice around the edges of the park and watch from there (most of the action is around the edges of […]

Mikhail Vrubel’s importance in Russian art is now undisputed, but during his own lifetime he achieved little success. He was heavily criticized for his rough, unrealistic forms, decorative use of space and strange motifs. He was a Symbolist and an expressionist at a time when most artists still ascribed to the Realist tradition of the Wanderers. […]

Irkutsk Local History Museum: Natural History Branch Иркутский областной краеведческий музей: Отдел природы ул. Карла Маркса, 11 Hours: 10am to 6pm, closed Mondays Cost: 200 rub for adults, free for university students. Special exhibits: 150 rubles. 300 rubles for a photography permit (butterfly photography free) If you’re interested in wildlife and the natural world, the […]

The Blue Rose artists represented the second wave of Symbolist painting in 20th century Russia. They followed on the heels of the World of Art, but the two groups differed in many stylistic and philosophical ways. The Blue Rose group was more strongly influenced by the French Symbolist painters and the Russian Symbolist writers, specifically […]

In early December we finally got a chance to go to the Irkutsk Drama Theater for a performance of Gogol’s comedic play, Marriage (Женитьба). It was enjoyable and funny, even if we didn’t understand about sixty percent of the dialogue. The actors were very good and made us laugh throughout the play, through both their […]

“Aistyonok” (Little Stork) Puppet Theater / Театр кукол “Аистенок” ул. Байкальская, 32    Box office hours: 10am – 2pm and 3-6pm, closed Mondays Tickets from 100-200 rubles Tickets range from 100-200 rubles and are worth every kopeck. Recently I went to see a puppet show for adults called the Divine Comedy, written by the Soviet playwright Isidor Shtok. […]