Images in the work include symbols of Russian hospitality--bread and salt, the “samovar”- tea “self-boiler”, and a set of informal glasses to accommodate any drink, along with depictions of Russian art and craft, doll -"Matreshka" adapted to serve as a vodka bottle. The piece’s central image of the Virgin Mother is rendered in the classical tradition of Russian religious painting. Salt vessel shaped to remind "Vostok"-the first man carrier to space. Painting is dedicated to the memory of Yuri Gagarin, the first space astronaut to orbit the earth.
This interactive, mixed media work extends the Russian ideals of welcoming, its moveable components inspired by the form and multi-purpose functionality of the Russian Mir space station. Mir, meaning “peace,” was utilized by Russian, American, and international astronauts as a research laboratory to develop technologies for the future occupation of space.
Famous AK-47, revolver and grenade shaped vodka bottles with flowers symbolize the Russian easiness in converting symbols of violence to vodka bottles and then to flower vases-symbols of Love.
© 2011 oil/acrylic/birch-wood/brass, 36”x60” (91.5cm x 152.5cm)