Another event from PEOPLE FROM THE CONTINENT series is taking place on Friday, July 11th, in music clubs Dobra Karma and Radio Luxembourg. This time Warsaw is becoming Russian what involves a soirée with a Russian painter – Katia Sokołowa-Zyzak, a vernissage and an exhibition of her works, a concert by Evgen Malinovskiy – an actor, a musician and a singer, ‘trans-rosja’ (‘trans-russia’) performance and a screening of cult Russian animated films ‘Masyanya’. Besides, among the highlights of the evening are: a photo exhibition, visualisations, Russian cuisine, a DJ party.

THE CAT IN THE RUSSIAN WINDOW

The presented series of works was created as a result of diffusion of some fascinations: first of all, it’s the result of striving to reveal the unique beauty of wooden window frames of Russian cottages. Window frames that are so distinguish for Russian rural facilities. And each of them should be found unique, original and amazing as to its form and colour.

On the other hand, it was obvious the geometrical order of wooden ornaments requires showing the cat. The cat sitting on a cottage window-still – is this something what is very distinctive for Russian villages. The cat sitting and, shrewdly but also lazy, observing the world around.

The theme itself and the way it is presented is undoubtedly very Russian. It is connected with the tradition of the painting by some Russian artists living at the turn of 19th and 20th centuries, like Bilibin, Vasniecov, Vrobel – there can be found the abridgment distinctive for posters, colorfulness, iconicity and last but not least – magic and mystery.

THE CAT IN RUSSIAN ART

The motif of the cat was still present in Russian art. Special attention was drawn to Russian folk woodcuts (so called 'lubki') which undoubtedly were also one of my artistic inspirations.

The figure of the cat became very significant on the woodcuts about 17th and 18th centuries since the cat was used as a caricature representing not popular in that time Peter I tsar. The originally encoded in woodcut caricatures meaning was slowly forgotten.

But the interest and attachment for the motif of the cat was still continued in folk works. The cat appeared not only on woodcuts: cat-shaped money-boxes, folk tapestries, joyful and colourful pictures and postcards showing the clever and ingenious hero of Russian stories were created. That was the cat that was always victorious in all the adventures.

And what is also important for me personally – my name, in a meaning, is also connected with the cat. During my childhood, at home, I was called diminutively 'Catty'. It may be the reason why I like cats. They fascinate me with their suppleness, ductility of movements and independence.

[Katia Sokołowa-Zyzak]