"The Desert of Forbidden Art" film screening and reception at the Zimmerli Art Museum

[Irene Rybalsky]

Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University
The Desert of Forbidden Art
A documentary film by Amanda Pope and Tchavdar Georgiev
Date of the event: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Venue: Zimmerli Art Museum. Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New 
Brunswick, New Jersey 08901  
Description:  
How does art survive in a time of oppression? During Soviet rule, artists who 
stayed true to their vision were imprisoned or executed. Their plight inspired 
the Russian painter, archeologist and collector Igor Savitsky, who daringly 
rescued 40,000 fellow artists' works and created a museum in Uzbekistan's 
desert – far from the watchful eyes of the KGB. The Nukus Museum of Art (in 
full, The State Art Museum of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, named after I.V. 
Savitsky) has been described as "one of the most remarkable collections of 
20th century Russian art." It is located in one of the world's poorest regions, 
yet holds paintings that are worth millions today, including those by Russian 
avant-garde artists. 
The Zimmerli Art Museum offers a screening of the film on the Nukus Museum 
of Art in conjunction with a visit of Savitsky’s successor and the museum’s 
current director, Marinika Babanazarova. After the film the audience will have 
an opportunity to discuss the film with Ms. Babanazarova.
Amanda Pope is Associate Professor in University of Southern California School 
of Cinematic Arts. Pope received her B.A. from Wellesley College and has 20-
year background in writing, producing, directing and editing documentary, 
dramatic and advocacy programs. Amanda Pope’s award-winning 
documentaries include: Jackson Pollock Portrait, Stages: Houseman Directs 
Lear and Cities for People, all aired on PBS.
Tchavdar Georgiev is a graduate of the University of Southern California 
School of Cinematic Arts and holds an undergraduate degree from The School 
of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has edited a number of award-winning 
fiction and non-fiction films as well as television programming for HBO, PBS, 
History Channel, National Geographic, Channel 1 Russia and MTV Russia.
The Desert of Forbidden Art won the Cine Golden Eagle Award and Best 
Documentary at the Palm Beach International Film Festival and will be 
broadcast on PBS Independent Lens in 2011.
Outline of the event:
5:30 – 6:15	Reception
6:15 – 6:20	Introduction
6:20 – 7: 40	Film screening
7:40 – 8:00	Q&A section
 
RSVP to irybalsky at ad-art.rutgers.edu

Parking:
Free parking is available immediately behind the museum and in the Kirkpatrick 
Chapel lot across from the Zimmerli (entrance is located at the corner of 
George and Somerset Streets). Metered parking is available on the street.  

Special arrangements: Bus from NYC and back. Bus leaves at 4:00pm from 
Penn Station, NY (by the green awning: 31st Street between 7th & 8th 
Avenues).  
Return trip: bus leaves at 8:15pm from Zimmerli Art Museum.  

Fee is $15 per person with advance reservations 
(http://www.zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu/file/Credit_card_payment_form_for_1
0-13-10.pdf); $20 on location if space is available. Free passes to the 
museum will be distributed on the bus.

Program is free with general museum admission. Admission is FREE to members, 
children under 18, and Rutgers students, faculty, and stuff with valid ID.

This program is supported by the Avenir Foundation Endowment Fund. 

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