Fw: RACC is proud to announce

[Mourka]

Just forwarding an interesting message if anyone is traveling to Moscow or will be in Moscow at this time.

Margarita Meyendorff


----- Original Message ----- 
From: RussianCulture at aol.com 
To: undisclosed-recipients: 
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2005 10:50 PM
Subject: RACC is proud to announce


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             

WORLD FAMOUS FABERGE TREASURES ON PUBLIC DISPLAY
IN RUSSIA FOR THE FIRST TIME, AT THE MOSCOW WORLD FINE ART FAIR, SEPTEMBER 19-26, 2005 AT THE MANEGE

Over 100 pieces of objects by Carl Fabergé, the great Russian jeweler, will be on public display in Russia for the first time at the Moscow World Fine Art Fair, September 19-26, 2005, a the Manege, the newly restored cultural complex.  These timeless art treasures, formerly owned by Malcolm Forbes, are part of a much larger collection of Fabergé objects, which were purchased at auction last May by The Link of Times, a cultural-historical foundation founded by Viktor Vekselberg, the prominent Russian industrialist.  

According to Andre Ruzhnikov, who was instrumental in the sale of the Fabergé Collection to Vekselberg’s foundation, which is dedicated to acquiring historically significant works of art and returning them to Russia, this occasion marks the first time that these pieces will be on public display in Russia. “We are very pleased to make these rare pieces available for visitors to see and appreciate at the Moscow World Fine Art Fair,” he said. “This is a very important collection and we are happy that it is back in Russia, where it was created.” A large selection of decorative objects including boxes, cigarette cases, cane handles, desk pieces, clocks and jewelry will be on view

Ruzhnikov, a managing partner of Aurora Russian Fine Arts Investments, will feature a number of important and rare Russian objects that will be for sale. Among them are late 19th to early 20th century Russian paintings, Imperial porcelain palace vases, silver, enamels, and Fabergé pieces.

Fifty-five international dealers -- covering a wide range of specialties including furniture and works of art spanning the 16th through 19th centuries, sculpture, Old Master paintings, Impressionist and modern masters, drawings, tapestries and carpets, Asian art ceramics, and porcelain, and jewelry -- are expected to participate.   Among the exhibitors are: The Marlborough Gallery, Feigen-Aaron Ltd., David Morris, and Bernard Shapero, Koopman Rare Art, Helly Nehmad, Anthony Marks all from London; Maurice Segoura, Bernard Steinitz, Boccara, Flore de Brantes, Frederic Landsberg, Franck Laigneau, Cazeau-Beraudiere, Sarti, Aveline, Ratton,Ladriere, Galerie DeJonckheere, Galerie Eric Coatelem, Galerie Schmit, Minotaure, Omagh, and Trigano, from Paris; Jan Krugier from Geneva, Berko from Belgium, and Andre Ruzhnikov who will bring a selection of objects from the Link of Times Foundation. Among the sixteen jewelers are: Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Bucellati, Golconda, Chaumet, David Morris, Chatila, Golay Fils et Stahl, Gilbert Albert, Moussaieff, Zadora. A distinguished committee of European and Russian experts will vet the fair.

This year Mr. and Mrs. Juan Pablo Molyneux will co-chair the Friends of the Moscow World Fine Art Fair.  Among those joining them on the committee are designer and collectors including Lars Bolander and Nadine Kalachnikoff, Robert Couturier, Joanne De Palma, Brian McCarthy, Alexis Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. David Hamilton, Laura Hunt, John Loring, Ketty and Francois Maisonrouge, Joyce Lasky Reed, Olga Rostropovich, and Mrs. Lawrence Copley Thaw.

The Moscow World Art Fair will take place in one of the city’s most treasured and beautiful neo-classical buildings.  According to Sixtine Crutchfield, the fair’s general manager, the Manege resembles the Grand Palais in Paris in terms of its beauty and spectacular architecture.  “Other than the Grand Palais, there was no other building like 
it in the world ,” she said. “It will serve as a splendid backdrop for our exhibitors.”  
Patrick Hourcade will create the mise-en-scene.

The Manege was built in 1817 in honor of the 5th anniversary of the victory of the Russian troops over Napoleon.  Engineer Augustin Betancourt used a method unique for that time period – not one single supporting column was used in the structure and all the wooden beams were exposed.  The façade and interior decoration were designed by the renowned French architect Ossip Ivanovitch Bovet (also known as Joseph Beauvais), who also designed the Bolshoi and Maly Theaters in Moscow.

The Manege has gone through several transformations.  It was originally built for military purposes including parades, military reviews and exercises, and was large enough to hold an entire infantry regiment of more than two thousand soldiers, as well as viewers and guests.  Over time, however, the Manege switched from its military functions to becoming a center for cultural activities and as a concert hall.

The 20th century brought about more changes for the Manege.  After the 1917 revolution, the building was used as a government garage and in the 1930s, the space in front of the building became Manege Square.  In 1957, it was re-constructed into a Central Exhibition Hall.  At the beginning of the 90s, the building underwent extensive reconstruction and an underground shopping mall was built and the Manege was used as an exhibition hall for all sectors of art and industry.

In 2004, a fire broke out in the wooden rafters and beams of the Manege’s roof, causing it to cave in.  The walls withstood the flames and over the past year, the building has undergone extensive restoration returning it to its original splendor. Located near the Kremlin, the building opened in April 2005.

The Moscow World Art Fair opens on Tuesday, September 20,and closes on Monday, September 26.  The Manege is located in Manezhyskaya Square. Hours are
2:00 to 9:00 P.M.  Admission is $20.00 (U.S.)

For more information contact ArtCultureStudio 011 41 22 906 1566 or visit
Moscow-faf.com.
You can also contact RACC at russianculture at aol.com






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