In 1949-m Hulot Sooster graduated from Tartu Art Institute (formerly the Higher Art School "Pallas"): there the professors studied in Europe since surrealist revolution, the views were great, Western mores. Three best graduates "Pallas" was supposed to go to practice in Paris, Berlin or Rome. The first student Hulot Sooster not willing to reconcile with the fact that in Soviet Estonia is nothing no one believes: first he simply demanded by fellow students abroad internships, and then they decided to hijack a plane to Sweden, to move from there to France or Italy. They were twenty small - boys. In general, instead of Paris, he was under Karaganda, receiving 25 years of correctional labor for the 58 th article. In the camps, he spent seven of the released him forty-six years of life. Learn Russian and met her, "anti-Soviet" Lydia Sergi. Vernissage combined with the presentation of the book of memoirs of Lydia Sooster "I'm from the streets Krasin, lavishly Illustrated works of her husband.

This strange memories, quite similar to the camp prose Eugenia Ginzburg or Elena Glinka. Strikingly optimistic. No, Lydia Sooster, otbyvshey the zone and in the references, a total of ten years (the best years - she was taken away as an American spy of the last class of the school), had no illusions about the regime of an effective manager. But while virtually every page of the book cries out that the writer has developed a happy life, because - except for a few scoundrels-screws - it is all the time are among the remarkable and interesting people: actors, musicians, writers and artists. Even the thieves have it in their own artistry. Not Karlag, and "World of Art" of some kind. And much of their basement on the street Krasin, who became one of the main cultural centers of Moscow, informal, and does look like the Platonic Academy. I could not help thinking that this portrayed in dozens of soosterovskih portraits and nude dusky beauty with a mop of curly hair, with a structure and shape of the Greek goddess, was for him - with that of its impregnable optimism - salvation. Because they collectively managed to create around himself the appearance of such a rich intellectual and artistic climate of Europe, which Hulot Sooster in the Khrushchev-Brezhnev Moscow is clearly not enough.

Freed in 1956, he was trying to return to Estonia, but it was a completely different country. Settled in Moscow, the home of his wife, where the very least flickered some informal artistic life. Here he soon became not only the authority and prestige among the authorities: Yuri Sobolev-Nolev and Ilya Kabakov, who all looked in her mouth, in turn, looked in his mouth that talked incoherently in Russian man. They tried to attach to the sustenance in the book drawing - at the exhibition gathers many illustrations, in which he, according to Ilya Kabakov, never learned any kompromissnichat, no moonlight. Underground took this alien plant, torn from their native soil, with respect and compassion. After all, if local nonconformists were inoculated contemporary Western art in small doses, through a few ottepelnye exhibition hall and a coffee Foreign women, it was Hulot Sooster offshoot of another culture and slowly wasting away without feeding.

The camp Pictures Sooster Hulot - this protracted postgraduate practice - a distinguished academic training school is not the Russian school. Impressionistic modeling forms with one touch - no lines, contour drawing, sometimes reminiscent of Picasso's neo-classical, and sometimes - Max Beckmann. Even realism - in the portraits of convicts, who sometimes made to order, five rubles thing - he's not ours, hysterically-critical, peredvizhnichesky, but rather German, impassively objectivistic coming from Adolf Menzel.

The two dozen gathered at an exhibition of paintings (for Russia this is a real rarity - after the death of Hulot Sooster widow donated most of his works to museums of Tartu and Tallinn) show that have been separated from the western tradition it is - miraculously - has continued to evolve in its bed. Portrait of father in law - a person, as if carved by some black lines on the dirty-gray background - shows that from the expressionism of Parisian high school, he went to Haydn, from Georges Rouault - to Jean Dubuffet. A pair of clean, does not mediated by any subject of abstractions - that of Dubuffet, he moved toward informel and, perhaps, by Jackson Pollock. But then focused on three subjects - the egg, fish, juniper - that is infinitely varying them, build their metaphysical model of the world. Again, this surreal organic has nothing to do with the Russian avant-garde, Pavel Filonov and Michael Matyushin. Rather visited Paul Klee, Max Ernst or Wols. In short, when in 1962 the Manege party art critics pointed to Nikita Sergeyevich at unearthly landscapes and metaphysical eggs Hulot Sooster as something profoundly anti-Soviet, they, in fact, were quite right.

http://www.kommersant.ru/doc.aspx?DocsID=1319676
_______________________________________________


Hulot-Ilmar Iogannesovich Sooster, painter and graphic artist, born in 1924 on the island of Hiiumaa, in the village Yuhtri Kyaynaskogo County, on the farm Pende.

In 1948 he graduated from the State Art Institute in the city of Tartu.

December 28, 1949, was arrested and convicted under Article 581-a period of ten years. Time served near Karaganda, Branch Dolinka, Karlag camp.

Released under the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 24 March 1956.

Hulot was arrested along with a group of close-minded students who dreamed of after graduation probation in Paris or Italy.

Yulo was confident that he will definitely go for an internship abroad, but the trip never took place. The Soviet government eliminated that possibility. In this regard, students pursued debates, drawing and posted the cartoons. For this and took it. They accused the group is that they have, ostensibly, was the plane on which they were going to fly to Paris.

There were five of us. Five artists: Valdur Ohakas, Esther Roode, Henn Roode, Heldur Viyres, Hulot Sooster. Among them there was no one who managed to at least bring the aircraft to the airfield. Everyone - the term of ten years, treason.

Our age is woven from the incredible stories and lived fate, events that never should have happened. But history decided otherwise. We all ended up in a swirling spiral spring of this century. So in my life unbelievable happened. Could I, the Moscow Jewish girl, to assume that will pass through the camp, deprivation, the nightmares and sorrows together and fall in love with a man whom I would not have met under different circumstances. However, like everything else in this crazy age, it happened exactly what happened. Try from the beginning.

Reading lesson

My first impression of the exterior Hulot was very flattering. He says not very clearly, probably from the excitement, rashristanny view, dangling cords on unpolished shoes, torn, scorched clothing. At long, not very well-groomed chestnut hair, tattered, once-elegant, blue beret. The only good impression produced amazingly beautiful sky-blue innocent eyes.

It seemed to me that he was to me a strange look. I turned away from him.

When we finished execute the exposure of our achievements, we grew weak at home, at camp.

Meeting with Hulot, I completely forgot. But a week later I got a letter explaining in love. "I thought that I forget you, but, unfortunately, I can not. Your image haunts me day and night" - wrote Hulot. Who gave me this piece of drawing paper with a ragged outpourings of love, I asked the postman. "I do not know - he said - a young man."

Then I started receiving letters with a postcard-charming drawings, spiritualized his pen or pencil. Dreams, dreams, dreams in every line of the connection, about the suffering of men, long and hard living away from the women's society.

Soon letters began to arrive daily. Our camp was very interested in this correspondence. After working all prisoners quickly washed, dressed and ran to dinner, where we waited for oatmeal soup and began reading aloud from my novel in letters. I read his companions letters which now come in the mail. Hulot wrote to me about his love of the outbreak, about his dreams of our freedom. I read these letters to all our reckless disadvantaged women. They were happy that I deliver to them this pleasure. Readings continued for a long time, my confidence has passed all bounds of decency, when I resolved to consider the intimate pictures, which Hulot draw for both of us. Suddenly everything stopped. Day two, week - no letters. Everything went dark in our area. The girls began to speed me that we should go to Dolinky and find out what is going on. Yes, and I'm very bored, when to stop the flow of worship. Even my boss cultural and educational part of the Nina, felt sympathetic and allowed me to go to Dolinky in the House of Education, to bring books to our library.

Upon arriving, I went upstairs to the studio, where he worked Hulot. Seeing me, he turned pale, his hands trembling and stammering, he told me that he heard rumors that I read his letters throughout the camp. He said that it is unworthy of me. "I succumbed to your charms, I love you madly, but I'm forcing myself to throw your way out of his heart, from his life. I will not allow to laugh at himself," - said Hulot.

I admit that this performance frightened me. I was so confident of his love. I told him that this is all gossip that someone just wants to embroil us. I said something else. I felt so sorry for him. We made it up, and I again began to receive messages, but had to stop reading.

Sooster LI My Sooster. - Tallinn: Avenarius, 2000. - 176 pp.

He painted with photographic precision portraits of prisoners and sold them for five, and those, if possible, they sent them home. Sometimes it could pee portraits in oils, sometimes ink to paint zone. However, this is a threat of great trouble, but Hulot could not live without art, he knew his purpose in life, he - the artist.

Learn Russian, you could find a job more interesting - a trusty. So called hardworking people who worked at various jobs - accountants, work assigner, economists ... So got Hulot to the House Education.

In Dolinka Hulot often thought of Estonia. Estonians, told Hulot, people deliberate, thoughtful, but energetic. In the camp were all wondering why the Estonians, and all the Baltic states, so hard and work well. "Because we are afraid to forget how to work. That would leave home on their farms, but there is not a slipshod work" - they said. Hulot often thought of this when we released, came to Estonia.

 

FARM TO Hiiumaa

 Recalled bitterly Hulot on his farm Pende on the island of Hiiumaa. There was a huge two-story house. The house was well maintained. Around the house - a wonderful orchard, who put great-grandfather, but still - the garden. On the farm it was all his own: sauna, stables, barn, smokehouse - the subject of the greatest love Hulot.

When we had no money to buy a piece of bread, Hulot often recalled his delicacies, which always hung in the smokehouse. At the farm, and brewed beer, which highlights all the birthdays, holidays, weddings, birthday, memorial service. Hulot always loved to eat and relish thanked his mother, sister, me or my friends who loved him to entertain.

In memory of little Hulot crashed the death of his beloved grandfather. Hulot remembered how entertaining his grandfather, as he liked to tell him stories and all sorts of unheard stories. My grandfather was a Protestant, very religious, but then, for unknown reasons, changed his faith and joined the Baptists. He built a chapel for their co-religionists and became a very respected preacher. He lived long and died at age ninety. He died on the evening in the garden near his house, and a small Hulot, who was with him, held next to the dead all night, hugging him and crying. In the morning they could hardly have found. The wound from the loss remained at Hulot rest of his life.

The memory of the ancestors is sacred, and the present great-grandchildren rebuild this church.

Father Hulot, Johannes was a poor peasant. General, the male line of the family took little interest in farming. They can say, were the lyrics, but not Pahari. In contrast to the female line, where were these peasant, very energetic and hardworking, Johannes was inclined to music, had perfect pitch. On the island he organized a choir, who always took part in the song festival.

What has not changed a party to the choir in his youth and his mother was Hulot, Be'er. Hulot very much loved and revered her mother. "I want to protect his mother from adversity, I dream to give it a rest," - he wrote to me, but was poorly managed. First war, then the camp, life in Moscow, always away from home.

Mother was a sovereign mistress of the farm Pende. She was a bright blue-eyed brown-haired, statuesque, a peasant firmly shot down, with a sweet smile. All his life she has given the village, to take on all the burdens of this vast economy. In the end, her health was undermined, and the last years of her life she was sick a lot.

His father gave all his time to the production of guitars, violins, Kannel, mandolin, and (completely lost interest in farming, and for the weaker sex was the buzz, and the lives of parents cracked.

"Well, I, too, - said Hulot, - tried to get away, hide behind a bush to pee sketch or draw a landscape. And I had to mow the hay and harvest. From the sale of the crop bought for the long winter clothes, dishes, and most importantly - the book. The family was educated and tried to give children a good education and upbringing.

Dear sister Meedi Hulot called "my angel". She was a caring, sweet, witty, loyal and generally being the most adored Hulot. Three year old girl she had cared for his brother five years, helped him as best she could. When the children grew, their friendship continued. Meedi sometimes offended when Hulot ran paint landscapes or read a book instead of mow hay. She, her mother and aunt Zina could not then understand his craving for creativity.


I got to Karaganda, Hulot greeted me and took his bride on a truck in their own home in Dolinka. Before my arrival Hulot told his boss that he was visited by the bride and that he is concerned about the fact that it raskonvoirovali and allowed to live outside the zone, and if not allowed, then he goes to work in the mines. Supervisor assisting in the resolution, and Hulot able to rent a room. In gratitude Hulot wrote her a lot of copies of paintings from the Tretyakov Gallery.

Thanks to our new home Hulot was able to start gradually from zone to make the accumulated years of pictures. It is terrible to look at these portraits: emaciated faces, burning eyes, shaved head, black, with huge rooms, clothing.

On the day of his thirties, he wrote a self-portrait. He kept his sister in Tallinn. After the death of Hulot I begged him myself. Sogdiana I returned from Tallinn, in Moscow, on the road from the airport, I had forgotten the portrait on the bus. Once found, dart back and found the two drivers, conversing among themselves. In their hands the portrait. Did you give them to me, saying: "God, what a fear!". And so it stayed with me this portrait, entitled "Fear". In conclusion, he secretly drew a zone, made sketches of everyday camp life, sketching erotic fantasies. Some of the portraits he did to earn some money that was for him is extremely important. Any manifestation of free creative activity in the camp were forbidden, and, if detected Shmona drawings, they mercilessly destroyed, and then followed the punishment. Several times Hulot able to save their drawings directly snatched from the fire. They were saved by the fact that they were linked to the dense bundles. So they survived, with singed edges.


Sooster LI My Sooster. - Tallinn: Avenarius, 2000. - 176 pp.

High quality features works by the artist makes them an attractive target for investment, but while sales statistics is low-representativeness. Nevertheless, we know that Nature morte (1958, oil on canvas, 30 x 41,5) 16 May 2000 was sold at auction for the Vaal Galerii 2318 dollars. Six months earlier the same auctioneer sold the work of Nu dansant (1961, oil on canvas, 46 x 29,5) for 637 dollars. Specifications are quite comparable, but the second painting has sold nearly four times more expensive than the first.

Today work Sooster are already several times more expensive. And the prices they will grow. Creative artists have long outgrown the framework of national art, which makes his paintings particularly promising for collecting.

Prices of the sixties do not grow by accident. Just do not accidentally "unofficial" paintings and drawings 1950-'70s period was a deficit. Experts believe this period of quite valuable in terms of collecting: in the short historical period, partly under the influence of modern Western trends, the USSR was the accelerated development of styles and techniques of fine art. In terms of relative obscurity of information artists retain Russian identity, reliably protected from direct copying of Western fashion. Works created after 1954, if you want you can take out without permission and limitations prescribed for antique paintings and drawings. But the inclusion in the Sixties investment in the apparent simplicity of the collection is accompanied by many difficulties. Clear criteria for relevance and value of the work of different artists specialists have not yet been worked out. No reliable studies and material about non-conformists for self-study rather little. But a lot of fakes, "calculate" which is very difficult. The domestic market is not organized, and Western auction houses have not devote sixties specialized trades, preferring the occasional unsystematic sale. All these factors make kollektsionerovinvestorov often act at their own risk, relying solely on intuition and informal information on price targets. However, this traditional limitations of the market of contemporary art in comparison with antiques.


 Nearly seven years assigned to him from the fate of 46-ty Hulot Ilmar Sooster (Ulo Sooster, 1924-1970) spent in the camps. In 1949 he, a graduate of Tartu Art Institute, and several of his friends were accused of anti-Soviet activity (apparently by the infamous Article 58). In the memoirs of his contemporaries and found the motivation - for plans to escape to the West by seizing the aircraft, so even with such astonishing detail: cross the border into China and thence to emigrate to Paris, which at that time remained the capital of Western art. Today it seems to savage (yet), but then it was quite sufficient reason for the phase in the Karaganda camp. Then the artist's wife, Lydia, who was also in the camps on the 58 th, recalled that Yulo was arrested along with five other artists, graduates who were going to go for an internship in France.

In 1955 Khrushchev delivered a lot of such "anti-Soviet" in them was Sooster. There is evidence that in the native Estonian Tartu work he found he could not, so it has become the new home of Moscow. According to other sources, in Estonia it just did not want to return. According to his wife, on the contrary, sought to Tallinn, Moscow felt an immigrant. Not the point.

In the capital, free art modernist-formalist, too, is not condoned, but for those who did not "embedded" in Socialist Realism, still remained a small possibility to make ends meet.

Book and magazine illustration, and animation were considered almost an "island of freedom", where there was a chance to get an order for presentation of the material without ideological commitments. In fact, do not instill the same love for the Soviet authorities in a scientific publication? Or fiction? And they paid in the illustrations are generally well. At a fee of three or four drawings could well live a month, no worse than a licensed engineer. Experimental schedule spent on drawing no more than an hour. But this money can not be called light. If only because that result is almost always harmonize and repeatedly had to revise several times. It is clear that drew not Illustrator'e, and agreeing not to e-mail, not to mention the fact that the order had still contrive to get the guaranteed amount was not. But Applied oformitelstvo, far from the facade of Soviet power, was controlled by ideology, to a lesser extent, and sometimes even leaves room for discontent. For example, Sooster with his friend and colleague Yuri Sobolev-Nolevym as an art director made a rather bold cartoon "The Glass Harmonica" (directed by Andrei Khrzhanovsky, 1968) to music by Alfred Schnittke, specially written for this project. Plot - divine magic music instrument returns to the city human face, which is unable to prevent even the sinister owner of the City. Interesting that the heroes of the film left the paintings of artists of the Renaissance, as well as the paintings of Max Ernst and Rene Magritte (who saw, say that the Boss Cities - magrittovsky "man in the hat"). In a word, a hint of what art can awaken the consciousness and sweep away the totalitarian regime, proved to be too transparent. Therefore, the animated film was banned in 1969, believed to be ideological reasons. Today, this experimental animation, not without difficulty, but you can buy at today's media. Leaving aside, tell that to realize oneself in animation could Tenno Sooster artist's son, who emigrated to the restructuring of the mother in Israel. In memory of his father he and his colleagues took cartoon parable about the artist - "School of Fine Arts" (1990, directed by A. Khrzhanovsky, music by Alfred Schnittke).

Contemporaries remember Sooster this artist first and foremost as a philosopher, an intellectual, a man who contemplates on the basics of the world. It is no accident, perhaps, the backbone of his work became the subject Image eggs - a symbol of the primary source of life, a symbol of the resurrection of Christ, the symbol of a miracle among the Jews, the symbol of the sun among the ancient Egyptians and even a symbol of victory over death. In general, the universal soosterovskaya form that allows the track to accommodate the whole meaning of the universe in the version of the artist.

Another recurring theme Sooster steel junipers - of the forty thousand bushes, which he dreamed in his sleep and that he had not had time to finish.

And Sooster remembered as a very "western" man who was able to keep the rod passed through the Gulag and the series of life tests, as an artist, is clearly a third-party officialdom, retained its creative independence in the most difficult circumstances. I remember his emphasis (it is said he had been taught in the Russian camp, where almost the Georgians, which gave a mixed Estonian-Georgian accent), the receiver, Skipper beard, the reputation of "anti-Soviet", was even rumored that in 1944 Sooster "raked "in the German army nurse (which he did not seem very skillfully concealed). However, in the last "of the background of" hard to believe.

And still recall part Sooster in "Manege-62", the exhibition, which has become, according to current estimates, the grandiose provocation distinguished "academics" of art against the young and progressive of the "left MOSKh". They say that "assessing" a lunar landscape in the painting Sooster, General Secretary Khrushchev suggested, instead of the moon, send the artist "in plein air" in the camp. And probably a lot of embarrassed to learn that in the camps, in contrast to the Moon, the artist has visited. According to other testimony, the conversation was quite peaceful, discussing the composition of eggs, and the artist simply responded to Khrushchev at random, so even with a strong emphasis of the Baltic, to which he crowned counterparts, losing the thread of the conversation, just smile ... Why this version?

'll Have to make another forced retreat: versions of events in the Manege dozens, to be honest, a complete mess, a feeling that it was at least ten shows in one and the same time. All versions of the reconstructed mainly on the memories of which can only do two things: it was in the Manege, and there was Nikita Khrushchev. And everything else - conflicting retellings of his dialogues with the artists and reproaches class "and you are there do not stand." In short, the statute of limitation years, information about the event has degenerated to the level of fables and legends of the beautiful non-conformist, in which weed out truth from fiction is very difficult. Hence, all these many reservations and say that ... "By the way, say that Khrushchev later regretted the great foyer episode, explaining that it would not versed in the art, as he did, because it was needed.

From the recollections of colleagues know that the unexpected death Sooster - the first significant loss in the ranks of the "other art" - shocked the entire community of the future of the sixties. There were rumors that the artist is gone from the West. In a country where not officially recognized artists killed themselves with vodka, Estonian draw energy in drugs. This is then the number of victims of this relationship ceases to amaze: Galich, Vysotsky ... And then it was not yet in the order of things. However, this version. His wife recalled that he, on the contrary, suffering from hypertension, recent years have tried to monitor the health and died suddenly of heart failure. Artist's enough, when he returned from the workshop ...

Today, the best pictures Sooster stored in the Estonian, American museums and private collections. "Oil" Sooster on the market, especially valuable "eggs" and "juniper" (these plants were part of the landscape of the island of Hiiumaa, the birthplace of the artist) - a large deficit. Apparently, paintings and initially, it was not very much. Moreover, in memories of the sixties, Boris Zhutovski can read that much of the work in its time, with the approval of Sooster wife, Lydia, moved to the Museum of Fine Arts of Tartu, where they took a deposit and then have difficulties with their return. At the moment did not even know where to attach them - Tallinn museum, these works simply did not take. Perhaps it was in 1985, before leaving the family in Israel. Soon after Estonia became an independent state ...

In short, today for a collector to find valuable real painting Sooster 1960 - x - a great success. Price guidance for her rather vague. But is the trend: painting iconic figures of Soviet underground cheaper than 20 thousand dollars for a long time is not worth it. We can assume that high-end linens Sooster, rare artworks, all of whose work relates to the securities of the sixties, can cost 40-60 thousand dollars, and perhaps more (in theory, in Estonia must be even more costly). Especially when it comes to main plots, and not much less valuable Experimental Studies "by Picasso" (it is known that Sooster was very impressed by creative innovator in Spanish). Although such work was bought at auction for more than 5 thousand euros - three times the estimate.

But the schedule Hulot Sooster specific deficit in the market is not. In particular, in Moscow to find it not very difficult. More precisely, to find it in the galleries casual gathering of the purchaser fails, but for those who are interested in, and dealers will bring. And on the Baltic local auctions schedule Sooster occurs frequently. Prices - some 500 euros per picture medium quality (see illustration), and the investment prospects of such a purchase is hardly rosy in the short term. Where more justified include the purchase of high-quality graphics (again, with recognizable scenes), the price of which can be several times higher.

The fact that the world's major auction sales representative works Sooster not registered, should not scare off investors. Such statistics in general, there is not one of the sixties. This significant period in our art is just gaining recognition in the first place - as a local phenomenon, to which the interest is particularly high mainly in Russia. It is felt that the leading Western auctions just have not had time to learn a new topic on which until not so many experts, and "material" has not yet passed the stage of organizing with emphasis. It will take another five years, and Sooster speak not only as the most famous artist in Estonia, but also as a creator, who has influenced a whole galaxy of independent Moscow artists. Even Ilya Kabakov, famous almost hostile attitude towards former colleagues, has devoted Sooster monograph, paying tribute to him as his mentor. Time to explain everything.

In the meantime, collectors and investors will have to rely on their own perception. And in order to understand that there are "good" in the works Sooster better watch collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Estonia (www.ekm.ee), Zimmerly Museum ( www.zimmerlimuseum.rutgers. edu ), the Tartu Art Museum (www.tartmus.ee), some good work there and at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art (www.mmsi.ru). Soon, October 25 will celebrate 35 years since the death of the artist. Maybe by that date, prepare a retrospective impressions, so it is to monitor developments.

1958. - Registration of books F. Tuglas "Little Illimar" with R. Minna. Feeling the need for freedom of creativity, the search for new forms.

1959-1962. - Participation in several exhibitions. The first success, the first recognition of the public.

1962. - Exhibition in the Manege, dedicated 30 years of MOSKh. Participation in her group Hulot Sooster - Yuri Sobolev, V. Yankilevsky, Ernst Unknown (abstract). Scandalous spacing NS Khrushchev, abstract artists, including Yu Sooster. The confiscation of the paintings for 6 months. Again, the lack of orders.

Since 1963. - Participation in exhibitions in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Italy and Spain.

1964. - Scientific illustration books, VN Reed: the two-volume "Physics - near and far", "Algebra of harmony", an illustration of stories.

Internal protest against instructions of the party leadership publishers. Introducing Lianozovo artists (EL Krapivnitskaya, O. Potapova, Oscar Rabin). The desire to work for the new art. Friendship with Ilya Kabakov, Mikhail Grobmanom.

1960., Middle. - The unsuccessful attempt to join the Union of Artists of the USSR. Hulot Sooster - uncommon phenomenon in the development of graphics 1960. Getting permission to build the studio in the attic of an apartment house on Kirov Street (as an exception to the rule).

1968, February. - The release of Article V. Pivovarova about creativity Yu Sooster in the journal Children's Literature. Participation in the creation of the cartoon "The Glass Harmonica" Suppression of light and darkness (scenario G. Shpalikov, composer Alfred Schnittke, director A. Khrzhanovsky). After its premiere in connection with the events in Czechoslovakia, the film was shelved for 20 years.

1969. - Designer cartoon "Beware of wolves!" (Directed by E. Hamburg). Illustrating book Yu Smuul "ice book". The growing popularity, the growth of orders. Work on illustrations for the favorite childhood book - "Spring" Oskar Luts.

1970, October 25. - Death of Hulot Sooster in the studio (stroke, coronary insufficiency). Obituary in the journal "Decorative Arts". Transfer pictures to Yu Sooster Museum in Tartu.

1971, April 10. - Opening of exhibition of paintings in the museum Yu Sooster Tartu.

1972. - At the invitation of the Union of Artists of Estonia dumping ashes Hulot Sooster in Tallinn at the Forest Cemetery at Metsakalmistu, where all the famous people buried in Estonia.

The release of the latest Yu Sooster Illustrated books - "Spring" Oskar Luts, marked the first prize at the All-Union Competition of 1972.

1970-e gg. - Establishment director A. Khrzhanovsky film "Landscape with juniper" in memory of Yu Sooster.

1979. - Memorial, the most complete exhibition Yu Sooster, one of the most interesting artists of 1960-70-ies of the Soviet underground, on the Georgian street, which lasted for a month.

1985, March 29. - Opening of the exhibition Yu Sooster in Tartu Art Museum.

1985, March 6. - Opening of the exhibition Yu Sooster State Art Museum in Kadriorg.

1990. - Exhibition "Creativity in the camps and in exile - the Gulag - Art", organized by the society "Memorial" and the Moscow Union of Artists Organization (MOSH), where Yu Sooster camp is represented by five drawings.

1990-ies., Beginning. - Exhibition of Works by Yu Sooster and I. Kabakov in Belgium (Kop Trick) "Illustration as a means of survival."

1996. - The publication of the monograph I. Kabakov's "On the pictures Hulot Sooster. - Subjective notes.

1996, December 20 - 1997, January 19. - Exhibition at the Tallinn Art House with the release directory.

2000. - The publication of memoirs L. Sooster "My Sooster.
_________________________________

How I almost became a model

 But Moscow meanwhile reviving. It was the Khrushchev thaw, to write new poems, opened the exhibition. In the Gorky Park of Culture opened the first exhibition of contemporary art. We went from room to room. Hulot just stuck to the pictures and wanted to penetrate and dissolve in them, stick with them. Now I can not remember at what work he has drawn more attention, but it is an infinite number of times walked back and looked, and moved back and thought, and again went up, whispered something, smiling or angry, making short pometochki and risunochki in a small notebook.

While he, once again, looking through the work, I went and sat down on a bench and admiring the passing public, enjoyed the surroundings. Suddenly a man approached me with black curly hair, it seems - sculptor Nikoghosyan, and asked me to pose to him. Here suitable Hulot, jealously stares at us, but to learn what was going on, agrees!

After a telephone invitation, we are going to Hulot sculptor in high-rise building on Uprising Square, where the couple lives Nikoghosyan. The elegantly furnished living room, statues, paintings in expensive frames of the windows look almost the entire Moscow - beautiful! Included wife, modest Armenian woman, brings Turkish coffee on a tray with small cups. Nikoghosyan tells us that the sculptures, which stand on the skyscraper - its work, now he wants to carve my portrait, for that he should get some kind of black ebony. To transfer my ancient profile need only ebony! I was embarrassed to sit under the gaze of his fiery, temperamental, burning eyes and hear the exclamations of admiration in the presence of his modest wife. But Hulot interrupted admiration and said that I'm waiting for the child and therefore pose now I can not. Nikoghosyan was upset and thought: "Well, we'll meet in a year.

In our house appeared soosterovsky for each captive, Roman Sef. Sef had already been married and had a lot of friends among the poets, writers and artists.

 

THE FIRST BOOK

 Roman introduced Hulot in an artistic environment, and introduced him to the Jura Nolev-Sobolev.

Hulot and Yuri Sobolev, were very similar, like brothers. They were very friendly. Rare is the union of souls.

Yura was friends with a physicist and historian of jazz A. Batashov, with whom they shook to all sorts of festivals in Riga, Leningrad and Tallinn. Yura childhood knew German, and Yulo, they often spoke German to them, I do not think you understand. Hulot insanely much time is spent running around for orders from Moscow publishers. Nowhere is it is not denied, but not really given job. Take a look at his drawings: "I like them, - they say - but wait, we'll definitely pick up,'ll find, do not worry." And money is no and no. But suddenly podfartilo - received the first book. It was published by "Young Guard" in 1957. The book was called "In the summer heat, several stories of a Tatar writer. The book is not caused by Hulot special interest, but he said to the job seriously. He asked me to pose for a long time, meticulously painted the new Chinese coat, handbag, developing their personal equipment.

Also in 1957 was made a book

"Place on Earth", stories of modern Egyptian writers. Finally, they are with his wife Nella Yury Maksimenko received a publishing house Detgiz "order book BA Dizhur" Glass River. Art editor of the book was Kholodovskii, very nice, lovely, exquisite-looking woman, the wife of a wonderful artist V. Andrienko. She was very fond Hulot as an artist, worked with him for many years and suffered for his liking of illustration. Meanwhile, the Yulo Jura and plunged into work on a book, even went on a business trip in a glass factory in the Goose-crystal. Hulot later wondered how BA Dizhur all accurately described.

And wrote this book Bell Abramovna Dizhur, who now lives with his son, Ernst unknown in New York.

 
 Ernst and Hulot were very similar to each other. Both are strong, wide, hungry for change and creative ways, dreaming of designing their directions in art. At that time, our artists were read biographies G. Braque, Dzh.de Chirico, F. Mark, saw drawings by Kandinsky, Malevich, Mondrian, Miro and Dali. Have you read Ionesco and Beckett, Hulot not parted with a book of Freud. When Hulot died, Ernst, examining drawings Hulot, so thoughtfully said: "How strange!" Or I stole these women in the pictures Hulot, or is it me? ". I thought and thought and said: "We are connecting with Hulot conscious of our power of creative forces and searches, and we, I think, have been living in the 2000-m year." And it was in 1968-1969-m. I think that B. Dizhur introduced Hulot with Ernst and Northwind Zhutovski. Boria worked after the Institute in Sverdlovsk, and was admitted to the house of B. Dizhur. They were friends until his death Hulot.

I do not remember the year I do not remember the month, when Moscow opened an exhibition of Estonian art. I do not remember whether this event has caused concern in Moscow artists, Hulot is eagerly awaited opening. He sought as early as possible to get to the stables on the opening day.


Hulot went to the exhibition with great hopes, he waited to see fellow artists, and most importantly, his teacher, beloved teacher, Elmar Kitts. On opening day he felt only a cold reception and alienation. Forgive and forget this meeting Hulot could never, as an art Kitts was skeptical. Officially, he saw him very upset. Here he saw nothing of sense - not the old traditions, no new ideas or original styles and searching. Perhaps at this moment Hulot realized that it was for him the fate now turned her face.

At this time in Moscow, in contrast to Estonia, started a new revolution in art. Here from all over the Union sought to force the young, thirsting for freedom of creativity. Hulot was in the very center of the boiler, which were boiled physicists and mathematicians, poets and writers, directors, actors and artists. And meanwhile all Hulot worked and worked and worked.


 Yes, and guests from Estonia to us complained. Valdur Ohakas wife Eetloy-Zaikov. Here we see Hulot, to inquire, as he lives, he does. Hulot have cast their books, and we spend days running around the museums, the streets, acquainted them with our friends. Amused wine of the evening and talked about life.

One evening the conversation turned to their home which they built. We discussed the project to expand the house. Suddenly Hulot, like an angry bull, attacked Eetlu. Just poured it all his anger. He stamped his feet, striking the table with his hands and yelled, as she dares to take away from Valdura his precious time to build some kind of stupid at home, instead of forcing him day and night to paint. He's not a bricklayer born as an artist, a creator. Eetla, poor, weeping, said that in the face Hulot she always wanted to find his brother, whom she did not have, and he accuses her of sin, it is not inherent. He and his mother Valdura nowhere to live, and my father another family. But her arguments on Hulot had no effect. I was sorry Eetlu, they both freed from prison, wanted to have a normal comfortable house, shop, but the money for it was not, and therefore had almost all to do with his hands. And when Valdur not painted and did not build a house, then he got to the premises, and his loyal Eetla, clad in a jogging suit, sitting on the motorcycle and went looking for him in the bushes or on the women. She always found it, washed, otpaivala as a small child, and coming to his senses, he again drew, wrote, built.

Valdur gained recognition, his paintings hang in the Kadriorg Museum.

GREEK HEAD

 Shortly after the birth of his son Hulot met Lyovochka Tokmakov, who also became one of the closest friends Hulot. In those days, swore Tokmakova-wrangling illustrate a satirical tale Gianni Rodari "Dzhelsomino", recognizing that formalism. Suddenly, in the Artists' Union received a letter from the author, where he thanked Tokmakova for interesting, remarkable graphic solution book. And another wrote that he intends to work with him on, because nobody in the world is not illustrated takhorosho his books. On this occasion was arranged the next feast, where we watched Levushkin drawings and the work of his close friend May Miturich.

After the death of Hulot Leva honored the memory of him and did everything in his power - he went to Estonia for the exhibition Hulot, tried to arrange his work in various exhibitions in the Soviet Union and abroad.

More than a year. Calls from the sculptor Nikogosian became less and less, and we decided that he had forgotten about us. Yulo did not want me to be a model, moreover, Mercan said that in order to gain insight into his soul, the model should be naked. At this Hulot thought and said: "Well, okay, you lepi, and I close porisuyu." Suddenly another call. Finally found something Nikoghosyan its ebony and dreams started.

At that time I had a haircut with great tufts of hair on his head and curls around the face and neck. Hulot was very fond of when I loosen the sea of black curls around the face and neck. From the heavy hair I had a headache, but Hulot so fond of, when I loosen the hair, that did not agree that I have hair cut. He said that so I remind him a portrait of Ida Rubinstein Serov. And I asked him, saying, let's haircut. Then Hulot unexpectedly agreed.

I am very happy to lop herself, washed her hair and turned into an Italian boy, they said my friends. I bought a beautiful, stylish hat, put it on the cropped head, and happy with Hulot went to the studio to Nikoghosyan.

The shop had a lot of people. The models - who are on the platform, who are waiting for their turn, artists and apprentices. I take off my hat, and a Nikogosian elongated face, almost in tears, he asked: "Where's your hair, where the Greek head?" Lord, what you done to yourself! "Now again we have to wait a whole year."

I think that Hulot specifically authorized me cut one's hair.



 
Hulot has to follow closely the artistic life of Moscow. A large number of exhibitions, and he was the first time took part in the Moscow exhibition. In the hall on Gorky Street flaunted my graphic portrait, and we Hulot every day he went to admire, good, live nearby.

We then thought nothing more beautiful than this portrait hanging on the wall, simply does not exist. But none of our admiration, it seems, is not shared, and the show was mediocre, just reporting back Autumn Exhibition.

Then there was a competition for the best graphic poster for the Leipzig exhibition on "World Children's Eyes." Hulot long eye on our little boy Tennochke, and drew his way and that, long tormented by a childhood picture, all he has turned out badly, he did not like, but the picture, after all, still a success. He drew a boy with pigeons at the time it was true.

Then there was the evening in the House of artists in Ermolaevsky Lane. First there was a mandatory report, the Rapporteur said that the art belongs to the people that it should inspire the workers' artistic taste, the development of socialist realism and about the dangers of bourgeois aesthetics. Hulot's sad listening to all these marasmic outpouring, but was full of anticipation, how will evaluate its work. Finally, summoned Hulot and a stormy applause throughout the hall was given a diploma. I sat proud and happy, in his only outlet gray moire dress with a rose on his chest. Then there was a wonderful concert pianist played Yudin. In high spirits we quietly went home. The Patriarch's Ponds was quiet in the sky shining stars, I told Hulot, as in childhood we were out there skating, and summer feeding swans.

From this evening Hulot somehow plucked up courage and began to believe in his star began to believe
that achieves its goal, which will be known in order to light and he was born. He believed that should be famous!

Gradually Hulot began to receive orders from other publishers, however, needed everywhere only realistic graphics, especially in children's books, but he tried to somehow get around this, such as of adapting, and suffered very nervous, a lot of time rewriting, alter the drawings. Save thousands of sketches, samples of his search.


Once I was home and heard a quiet knock on the door. On the threshold stands a young, fashionably dressed couple. A woman of dazzling beauty. Presented themselves. Romuald Minna - a translator and editor of "Literature", the mother of Russian and Estonian father. Romuald knew Estonian, translating books from Estonian to Russian and vice versa. Came to get acquainted with Hulot and offer him work. Thus began a longstanding friendship.

The first big work with him was made in the "fiction" in 1958. It was a book Friedebert Tuglas Little Illimar. Hulot has worked very hard on the book, he loved this book since childhood. My mother told me in confidence that Yulo shared with her that I should get for this book ten thousand rubles. I did not believe her. But lying to myself on the couch, shake your child. I hear you, open our door, is Hulot, put on the table, his large briefcase and still somehow very solemn look. Wipe hands like a conductor waving, and our room was filled with music, music - in a whisper bills. That's where the picture was wonderful! Money flew from the ceiling fell on the couch, on the table, on a bed, a cupboard and sideboard, and I screamed, threw them up. Nazbierałaś, arrange them in pachechki, counted, admire, and let's embrace yes kiss my darling worker, my artist.

Two days later we went to the GUM buy the missing stuff for life. He bought the necessary and unnecessary things about which I dreamed for many years and who wanted to have. Two sets of bed linen, so I dreamed good dreams, unnecessary, so wanted Hulot, a modern set of cutlery, wine glasses for vodka, a tablecloth for the reception, a white-prebeluyu. He bought gifts for Christmas to relatives in Estonia. The holiday we were going to meet with them.

Dear sister Meedi - gold earrings alexandrite her husband Lembitu - a camera, he enjoys photography, mother Be'er - shawl and glasses that could out the window to look at passers-by. We all brought pleasure to her comments on the matter. Recently, she almost never left home, was ill.

Sooster LI My Sooster. - Tallinn: Avenarius, 2000. - 176 pp.

And now in the gallery "Romanov" opened a new, already commercial, international and even dynastic exhibition father and son - Hulot and Tenno Sooster. Released and catalog. Lyrics - memories of his wife Lydia, Estonian and Russian art criticism. Curator - younger comrade (the famous "Manege" he was only 20) Boris Zhutovski.
       Various exhibitions, different Sooster. Opposition Sooster - Kabakov, closed eggs and birds flying to the window, farm centripetal, the closing of the circle and oval chitinous juniper needles and angles, and the city centrifugal, leaving the viewer only snatches of speech, now property of criticism.
       "Romanovsky" Hulot like self-nest, around which winds Tenno - not a painter, not a portraitist and cartoonist and graphic artist. Living in the volatile, but still free, and democratic Israel. Maybe that's why all of his work - outside, in the irony, conflict and anger of the day. Not god-like clowns, like his father, but ambiguous clones. Not a seductive female horse, but bone formula, not dive into the background, but the insertion in the frame, not opening, but the output.
       Tenno strictly and sadly repeats: "Take care of the sixties. They do not come back. I will be more expensive. It is hard to disagree.
       

       
       Tenno Sooster and Boris Zhutovski - my interlocutors.

       - In the legacy of your father has a very interesting layer: cull officials variants book illustrations and "failed" models of scenery. Both evoked enthusiastic responses of friends. Anything saved?

        Tenno Sooster : Yes, indeed, my father had five times redo work. After Manege he even had to temporarily work under a different name - Smorodin. "Marriage" obliterated. And if only for illustration! The only copy of the first version of the cartoon "The Glass Harmonica" Andrei Khrzhanovsky, with Schnittke's music, which drew my father was cut down to pieces with an ax, as has been drawn up. The act kept by our friends. The film is subjected to ruthless altered - for example, in the frames were inserted titles that action is not with us, and in the West.
       "Harmonica" was in the cinema "Russia" exactly two weeks. It literally lomilas Moscow intelligentsia. And then it was removed and 20 years had lain on the shelf.

       Boris Zhutovski : All the same figure has been the salvation: we feel at least some relevance. But the situation was ambiguous: a couple of years after the "Manege" Khrushchev was removed. Authorities could not understand what to do with exiled artists, disgraced general secretary. And on the eve of the 50 anniversary of October held a major conference, to which we so carefully prepared that the then Deputy Minister of Culture, Vladimir Popov has put us in the same example of our opponents. We have collected good reviews about our work in the foreign Communist press, distributed, and that someone would speak, and were almost invincible. So much so that, when Popov asked a tricky question of how we prepare for the anniversary of the revolution, Yulo said: "If you have no calls in everyday life, which may be general holidays?".
       Sooster far ahead of the Soviet book illustrations and, of course, "stepped on toes" editors. And for all our company Yulo played the role of teacher for one simple reason: the fundamental arts education in the classical, "bourgeois" sense, none of us received. Neither Surikovka nor "left" Polygraphic Institute could not give that gave Sooster Tartu Art Institute. We only "instilled a taste," but we had to learn ourselves. In addition, Hulot, with his seven years of the camps was to order us adults. Hulot knew languages, reading foreign literature, and he had some internal mission - to generate ideas. We went to joke that it is for ideas and to pay the artists of the Central Committee.

       - But now no, no yes and hear from the curators that the essence of modern art in the idea, but the skill can be learned and the Arbat, painting portraits for a hundred rubles. Then I remember Constantine Batynkov, and my companions quickly go back down.

Tenno Sooster : Absolutely agree. Mastery - is the quality of execution, and his father managed to combine it with ideological innovation. For me, drawing by hand - kind of meditation, care themselves. I have long been involved in computer animation, and finally realized that the true creative freedom in the "box" was not found. It would seem a brilliant opportunity to do everything myself from start to finish, but I still feel someone's invisible presence. Ever want to put some blocks, dampers, passwords ... So I live - earn on your computer, and soul otvozhu pencil.
       For him painting was also a necessity and a means of survival. In camp, he sketched in charcoal on the inner side of the chessboard. Draw and erase, to clean up the place. Craft rescued from a nightmare. And, of course, love, whom he met in prison.

       - Tell us about an erotic cycle Hulot. It would seem that all the "nude" - camera angles and poses - long since discovered. However Sooster all, like the first time. But even these tender mutants.
      from what was to come into raptures Yuri Norstein, when he drew sketches for the film Khrzhanovsky.

        Boris Zhutovski : Young guy in the camp can be understood. But when I see how organically rotates in the plane and its trehrukaya trehgrudaya dancer, I begin to better understand Matisse, and it seems to me somehow even easier ... Sooster Movement - from the draftsman skills, from these endless conversations with scientists about the world order, an internal beliefs. As if each of its shape - the only and last on the ground.

       - Tenno, how does your father such a passion for the process, I would say, mirorozhdeniya - from eggs, from the contact pieces, from songs? Can I here refer to the influence Strugackih, work on illustrations for the magazine, "Knowledge"? Or is the voice of the ancestors?

        Tenno Sooster : Hulot-philosopher - a separate, undeveloped theme. They say if Sooster was not an artist, he would be a physicist. On his outstanding ability in physics and mathematics says Victor Reed, whose father, illustrated books. Actually my father was interested in everything, it is a lot of experimenting, searching for something beyond that.

        Boris Zhutovski : Physicists in general have been privileged classes. Authorities did not touch them, because they were responsible for the defense. And so might think about the universe whatever, speak the "bird language" to communicate with foreigners. I must say that thanks to books in general and popular science in particular illustrators quickly recruited intellectual potential. Back in camp Hulot was friends with one academician and conducted lengthy interviews with him.

      - We have before us in all respects symbolic figure. The wrestler with totalitarianism, spontaneous naturalist, a true and sincere Estonian surrealist.
       With such a leader of the Moscow underground to start would now its "not a good shop" with the museum's collection, exhibition plan and thick periodicals.

        Tenno Sooster : The thought of the Museum of the Moscow underground - good. But his father's shop was burnt down in the many, so that about any room until it is difficult to say. On the other hand, this exhibition - the beginning of a larger project under the working title "Fathers and Sons.

       - Why did not manage to say many contemporaries and descendants of Hulot Sooster?

       Tenno Sooster : The story of his mysterious love. Long before meeting his mother's father painted a portrait of his dreams. The result was a eastern girl, strongly reminiscent of future Lydia ...
       Very interesting topic spoken Estonian and Russian artists, which led and supervised by my father. I think he was one of the conductors of culture prevalent in the West bohemian salon in Soviet Moscow. A famous kitchen gatherings seem to me now the result of the closure and arty cafes.
       And, of course, resistance. Some imperturbable European, craft style to remain an artist in any environment. That's interesting.

Sooster've always been kind zastyvshe is not visible, silent, sat throwing one leg concentrated leading pen on sheets of paper, then it monotemny period "eggs", it seemed, was replaced by an equally paranoid cycle of "amoeba" ( " fish "were still to come), he seems to continuously and sketched.

But often he did outline sitting at the table and then someone gave them, most often, it seems, they get PP Ulitin. Portrait of Nikita Beskin - one of those (intellectual adornment "loft", arrogant, clever, capricious namby-pamby, cynical-line and in a feminine crazy mathematician and esthete Nikita Beskin originally in the cafe visited often, but once compromised in some gebistskom case, was pushed out of the cafe ignoring the most important individuals within it).

In contrast to the artist Noleva-Soboleva, who was always in the most fashionable polyester shirts, jeans, a true American, who had just arrived in Moscow, Sooster absolutely not attracted attention, there was nothing in his appearance that could be taken as a characteristic view not dwell on it, and vice versa, as would preclude him from the field of view as something small and almost irrelevant in the cafe, like Kafka's character.

Above him was a certain aura of loneliness. Calm, silent, slow-moving (but not dull), outwardly impassive, he monstrous "by Estonian" spoke in Russian, slowly but clearly, concisely, correctly and accurately (AA said that he understands in Russian without an accent and no need to talk to him as to the deaf. AA general attitude toward him in particular: carefully and courteously, visited his studio, was aware of his creative cycles and talked about them; Sooster gave him a job with oil "Cat on a moonlit night roof "- something like this it can be called and it was many years in room AA, now she flashes at exhibitions and in publications).

Some time Sooster was perhaps the most regular visitor cafe. I think he had glasses with strong lenses, so that the eye also could be distinguished. But one day, we sat at a table beside him, he leaned over to me to say something or ask, and looked at me over her spectacles, and then I saw his eyes close.

I was vaguely remember his face - something hard tight, but his eyes I guess I will never forget. They were bright, children, clear, trusting, and complete what is a quiet meal. The impression was as if I confidently opened the kind of scary and irreparably mutilated body part. He just about anything he asked me, with him then it was all right, those eyes were with him constantly.

After that I thought he was all filled with this flour that exposes only his eyes that he would hide his unprepossessing appearance, his poker face, his glasses, his silence, that it compels him to speak with a strong accent - not to let out.

Especially for the wall newspaper, we have published 4 December 2006

Khrushchev walked across the room, went to the blue picture Hulot and asks: "What's that?" "Lunar Landscape" - is responsible Hulot. "And you, that was there, asshole?" - Has become wildly yelling Khrushchev. But Hulot says: "I imagine so." "I will send you to the West, a formalist, no, no, I will send you, no, I will send you to camp!" - Went on the rampage Khrushchev. But Hulot says: "I was already there." Then Khrushchev said no, not send, and will be re. Hulot was very nervous and excited, he is worse say in Russian, instead of hissing pronounce the letter "s". A newspaper later wrote that artists beg and Meca, when we talked to Khrushchev, but in fact it is so Yulo said, but gazetypochemu hiding something that Hulot is not very well spoken in Russian. Recovery, who whom invited to participate in the exhibition, complicated but I think that the Komsomol invited Belyutin with B. Zhutovski, which then complete their education in his studio. Belutin and yelled at his company, iznichtozhit Sooster, Sobolev and Yankylevsky, calling all the pederasty, Khrushchev was going to continue the pogrom, as the room broke into Ernst Unknown and dragged him to his room to display sculpture. "Where copper stealing?" - Khrushchev asked. "Into the garbage collecting," - replied Eric. He steadfastly held, was not afraid to Khrushchev felt was right. Eric fought on the front, was wounded, had the Order of the Red Banner. He was the only one among them a member of the Artists Union. It was a battle, strong, powerful man.

Razdrakoniv all and yelled to the blue in the face, the leader, accompanied by hushed suite, which is still the night before so admired works, left, ordering the confiscation of the CE pattern and cause of all the square Nogina, the Party Central Committee.

Hulot most of all remember the beautiful young poetess Bella Akhmadulina, she edinvennaya not afraid to ask: "What will happen now with our husbands, brothers, friends, how will we live?" Deputy Minister of Culture, Kuznetsov said that the work will still give everything. In fact, the picture was returned after six months, and there was no work. If my parents we would not have helped and are not fed to Tenno, I do not know how to survive.

 

after the scandal

 
Gradually, slowly Hulot again began to receive orders. Often under the pseudonym-Smorodin. Yuri Sobolev, at that time was working in the publishing house "Knowledge". Artists wanted to prove to Khrushchev that they were not any rogues, and thinking, cutting-edge artists. They collectively decided to publish a book-magazine "Science and Humanity". The book was published by "Knowledge". I do not know whether she came to Khrushchev, but we still did not work. Hulot ran for publishers. That he managed to get a book published by the geographical literature, the publishing house "Kid", where the main artist was V. Statsinsky, who tenderly treated Hulot. Statsinsky is supported Hulot in this difficult time.

Soon after the exhibition at the Manege Tennochkoy we went to Tallinn. Tennochka immediately fell into the arms of her grandmother, and I expect artists, eager to hear the story of how Khrushchev berated Sooster. Hulot was, as they say now, a man of the year. I left the house early in the morning and came late at night. I went to Tallinn workshops and homes of artists.

In the first place I visited old friends - and Valdura Eetlu Ohakas, Henna and Esther Roode, Heldur Viyresa. Then it was the turn of the younger generation. First, of course, Tõnis Vint and his wife, Mare. Screw - the most refined of all the people I've seen artists. Mare - my beloved artist, clever and charming. They led a bohemian life - the day asleep, and in the evening their house was open to the artistic elite. The whole apartment was a black and white - couch, floor, table, pictures in black or white frames. Then I went to Malle Leis, they, along with her husband Villa showed me his new work. I told Yuri Arrak about the exhibition. I saw Leonard Lapin, Heinz Valk and Malla. They all respect and love Hulot and were concerned about his fate. On this trip I met a wonderful man Jaan Klysheiko. Jaan thought Hulot leader of new trends and a real philosopher. Sam Yan - photographer, he has an amazing photo archives, and I hope that someday he will in order and publish it.

After MANEZHA Hulot was silent, concealed from us to participate in exhibitions abroad. He tried not to disturb their loved ones, but we can still learn about everything - his friends blurted out, then asked a surprising question, as they show abroad? Hulot himself, too, might have forgotten on his desk a magazine or catalog with articles and reviews. In those days, he exhibited in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Italy and Spain. They wrote about it in European and American newspapers.

CAFE "artistic" and basement AT KRASIN

 Meanwhile, the Yulo's dream come true. Hulot and Yuri Sobolev chosen cafe "artistic". They managed to convince the staff that the cafe is not the main plan, but the atmosphere is important, namely the desire to visit this place. The waitresses were treated to a café coming artists, poets kindly as his friends. In Moscow, formed a tiny island, looks like a small cozy cafes of Paris, Vienna, Tallinn and Tartu. It was possible to spend all day with a cup of coffee. Hulot enjoyed the ability to go there, meet with friends, designate a business meeting. You could talk to frequented cafes, a theater critic Sasha Asarkanom, who always sat in the corner and something to write or read. There could philosophize with Yesenin-Volpin political or poetic theme. And our apartment at the same time has become a haven for many people. Ira Uvarov wrote: "In those days we all long time and talked to each other, but did not to stuff more people than in the basement on the street Krasin". On Tuesday evening the entrance to our apartment was completely free. Most of our Tuesdays attended Y. Sobolev, R. Minna, E. Nutovich, V. Yankilevsky, L. Tokmakov with his wife Irina, V. Pivovarov, VI Uvarov, I. Kabakov, A. Bulatov, V. Voroshilov, brothers Alimov . All enjoyed our meetings and our modest tea. Once on one show we Hulot noticed a small painting with a locally bright colors, which strangely got along on this small canvas. We met with the author. It was Oleg Tselkov, while he had just designed the most fashionable Moscow show - "The sword of Damocles" in the Theater of Satire. Very modest, unassuming in food and clothing, he visited our Tuesday along with his wife, Tatiana, sometimes brought a half-liter. At such a mob of vodka was not enough, and then folded and ran over a bottle at Mayakovsky Square, to taxi drivers at the restaurant "Beijing".

Soon, we now have another remarkable man, Arkady Akimovich Steinberg, a graduate VKhUTEMAS. Arkady Akimovich freed from the camp and settled first in Tarusa. After moving to Moscow, he led the training of translators at the Central House of Writers. He was accompanied by modest sweet wife of a young artist and poet Mikhail Grobman. Ira then studied at the Lenin Pedagogical Institute in the Faculty of Russian language. Misha is rarely accompanied by his wife, Ira Vrubel-Golubkina. Sometimes our loved ones were whispering about the fruitless courtship Steinberg, and someone smiled slyly. Ira Vrubel-Golubkina was as pure as an angel, and Grobman confident in his wife. Ira and Anya Arcadia bound literary interests. They always sat next to him, and he refined gentleman, then poured the tea, then puts a piece of cake, and both smoked cigarettes incessantly. I am also very fond of Arcadia Anya. It was as if from another planet, with a good education, with manners. He predicted a bright future, but the arrest broke all these hopes. Sometimes it is a lot of interesting and telling, and it was not clear, it is true story or fiction. Sympathies to our house and our gatherings have found, perhaps, a special place in his heart. And not only me as a hostess, but also for paintings Hulot.

 
Together they made a book that is Hulot illustrated his poems, and we once again have been invited to visit him. Met us with his wife, Valentina G.. In her youth she was probably a dazzling beauty, but two arrests Arcadia, two boys, whom she brought up alone, a hard life left its mark, moreover, she smoked a lot, but still retained traces of its former beauty. The sons grew up and also became an artist. Boris Steinberg I do not know, but with Edicom Steinberg I am connected, as they say, bosom love. From the first visit I liked this little thug with gypsy eyes amateur orgies and women. We Hulot has long been considered his work, and long Edik reasoned with Hulot on high themes. He wore a fur white military coat, always open, accompanied by tall women, very beautiful, big-eyed, arrogant, who looked on all with a contemptuous mien face. Along with Arkady Edik became frequenter of our creative meetings.

One comes Edik quiet-quiet, neck cross, and beside it a tiny lapwing. Tonyusenkaya this, but it is clear that clever and cunning. Her name was Galochka Manevich. At that time the fashion she dubbed this disbelieving hooligan. Then they married and began to live in an apartment, furnished with mahogany furniture, a wall draped with icons. Edik became obedient, intelligent, but when it Galochka turn, immediately three sheets to get drunk, then asked for forgiveness, again began to work, he painted.

Every Tuesday, come to my favorite artist Alexander Kharitonov. Sasha has always sat in the corner, trying to be innumerable, and drew, painted, and then gave me the drawings. One of them, a boy with a flower, I am leaving for Israel, gave the museum in Tartu. Alexander Kharitonov was completely Russian, a Russian artist, he was some, I thought, Nesterovsky. He was kind, shy, always smiling. Once he came with a girl, not a Chinese woman, not a Filipina, and declared her his wife. Later she told me cry that Sasha something very nice, but how drunk, throws her on the street and all night in the house does not admits. Sasha, when I reproached him, grumbled, protested, and turned away.

They came to the young artists who are very respected Hulot: Belov, Klyachko, VA Duvidov, Yuri Krasny, Pozharskii, Boris and Sergei Alimov. Every Tuesday to us navedyvalsja Nutovich Zhenya, a photographer from the Tretyakov Gallery. He looked with loving eyes at Hulot, in his work. Eugene was an avid collector, and all wanted to get as much work.

He came Zhenya Bachurin. He was very vulnerable, always hurt, angry that he is considered more a singer than an artist. Now Zhenechka became generally known bard. He has a song dedicated to the memory of Hulot. Great ornament of our evenings were Velikanov Sasha and Kolya Epov. Theater artists, two handsome, conquerors of women's hearts. They soon attracted the attention of the entire female half of the audience. In those days I succeeded with great difficulty to get radiola "Latvia" and records of the Beatles. Lord, as we were then chased for this wonderful music for the long lohmy, like the Beatles, for pants and jackets. Hulot, too, grew his hair under the Beatles.

Late in the evening, after closing cafe "artistic" appeared theater critic Sasha Asarkan. Sasha was a man not without some oddities. The room in which he lived, there was literally nothing, some piles of newspapers, and in the middle, between them - the path that led to his humble bed. Winter and summer, he went to one and the same shirt in the winter it is complementary beretochka, but always sticking a cigarette between his teeth. In one of Tuesday, he showed up at our shaven, bathed in a warm jacket, wrapped in a mohair scarf, a cap on his head. His eyes sparkle and he smiles enigmatically. And here she comes, which proved to be my girlfriend salon Irochka Uvarova, and also all the lights.

For a book about physics publishers offered to illustrate the science-fiction story "The Fall of a supernova." In the same year Hulot illustrated for publishing "The Art of" book on the history of the gramophone. Hulot enrolled in various libraries, up to the district. He rummaged in the piles of old magazines that our neighbor kept in a dark room, began to buy books. Hulot choked on illustration, but not from the work itself, but from the need to meet and talk with the party leadership publishers, who better than he knew how to draw book. Alterations tormented him, and in the evening, he complained and grieved.

In one of these evenings, when our guests left early, and Hulot was terribly depressed, descended to us artists Eliseev and Skobelev, bringing with them the backbone of the Contemporary. This company offered Hulot draw play Aksenova "Everything for Sale. They came quite drunk, discussing his crazy idea that they must play three of the artist and that each of the artists would design one act play. The first step - Skobelev, the second - Eliseev, and the third - Hulot, and overall artistic direction it too. Oleg Efremov rose, fell, got up again and with tears in his eyes said Hulot: "Well, explain it in your picture, eh?" Well, explain how it all mean? ". Oleg Tabakov and his tiny wife, L. Krylova, too, begged Hulot tell about my discoveries in the arts. Of course, none of this venture failed. He has designed performance of the main theater artist Pyotr Kirillov.

I am going one day at work. At a stop on Sadovaya waiting trolley. Suitable elegant, slim, well-dressed man, bowing to me and says: "Hello, how are you, as Hulot?" - And I answered: "Sorry, I do not remember." "I am Boris Alimov, my brother Sergei came to see you on Tuesday. I - the main artist of the journal" Knowledge - force. "Remember it now?"

Indeed, not to remember all those who came to us.

I remember the artist Leonid Lamm. Lamm, Sobolev, and Hulot for three hired one of models and wrote it, and maybe lyubilis, who knows? Lamm has always remained silent on this subject, Sobolev protested, and Hulot argued that it is necessary for creativity.

By evening the company grew, all the noise and arguing, about movies, films, performances. And suddenly - silence. Appeared Mikhail Grobman, Misha at the time was like a statue - mikelandzhelovsky David. He spiritualized his personal experiences, all that most artists of our time not seen or understood. All slackened when he came Misha, and started the main theme - the Jewish question. Misha told us about the Promised Land, about the Six Day War, and we all rejoiced at the victory of Israel. Hulot rejoiced with us and then discussed it with my father. Mischa then argued that the world center of art must be Jerusalem.

SWEET LIFE

 At the same time our friend Ilya Kabakov bought his first apartment and invited us to the housewarming. The apartment is located in Kursk Station, a new house, one bedroom, while almost no furniture, but with a fridge. We Ilyusha already had a little daughter and wife, oddly enough, called Irochka. She was one of the main experts on the Polish cinema. She was not very pretty, but as soon as she began to speak, everybody forgot about it and listened, his mouth open. Ira in the evening cursing Ilya, not exactly for the fact that guests brought, without warning, or for the fact that the chairs were not enough. But I was envious that they have such a large, bright apartment, so even with the parquet floor, so we also have a ... Hulot protested, saying that so and so, we will, in fact all of the basements were being evicted, and the money anyway. Ilya - yes, he is lucky, republish it all the time, he has money. Hulot, I'm not persuaded, and I do not understand why we need to continue to live in the basement. So, thinking we have come to our house on the Krasin and saw a huge great machine of the American Embassy and the messenger, who handed us an invitation to the reception. Celebrated the friendship of some Soviet-American artists. Our yard audience stood in a daze until the limo was out of sight.

I was afraid to go, but curiosity got the upper hand. Donning a new red suit, wearing a very long earrings with pearls and climbing in the tall English shoes, which were great to me in two sizes, went to the reception. Going was hard, and Hulot angry: "Well, why did you bought them, well, why?" And I have not got the other, and so wanted to be like in such fashionable black boats. At the reception was a lot of artists. Brusilovsky and his tiny wife, a translator. Tolia its very richly dressed, for it has always been black velvet dress with a huge lace collar, from which it was barely visible. Sam Tolia, ironed, combed, with a smile, then talked with one American, then another. Were Zhutovski, Bulatov, Vassiliev. Important sitting director Gerasimov and his wife, actress Tamara Makarova. Hulot all the time we wore glasses with a drink and tiny sandwiches. Many of our friends walked, staggered by the abundance of food and drink for free. Ambassador's wife, a beautiful woman, which is slightly hudozhnichala and patron of our bohemia, showed his work hanging on the walls of the house. Soon all this pall, seemed boring, and we left.

 
Walking along the Arbat, we got to the theater actor, where he was a good restaurant and a lot of interesting cine audience mixed with all kinds of rag-tag. There, we decided to have dinner. We have long studied the menu and finally settled on lamb stew and Pozharsky chops. I am Irina and Ilyusha Kabakov drank something out of pineapple, white wine and champagne, and Hulot, as always, vodka and beer. Nice walk. There, for the conversation we learned that it turns out that his mother was well acquainted with the family of my uncle, and that, come on Ilya septuagenarian anniversary of my uncle, we could all get acquainted with much earlier, immediately after our arrival in Moscow. "It's a pity, - said Hulot, and Kabakov, - how much precious time is lost." Then we began to discuss how we will go to the House of Journalists, which will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of "Knowledge - The Power."

Organization decoration this holiday instructed Boris Alimov, Sergey Alimov, Boris Lavrov and Mikhail Grobmanu. At the entrance they built the doll, but the authorities deemed it obscene and ordered him to withdraw. There were posters, it was beautiful and fun, scurried pretty familiar faces Oleg Tselkov and Tani, Nusberga, A. Velikanova, Kabakov, Romadina, Biesty, Epova, many journalists and editors working in this journal. Then they showed us an American film producer Kramer. It was the anti-war painting "At the last bank. The film shocked me, I went for a long time under the impression from this film. Then there was the dinner at which Boris Alimov gave the mug Leonid Finkelstein for the fact that he was partial to their colleagues, all those suspected of disloyalty and would not let a trip abroad. Alimov did was right. Finkelstein did not return from his first trip abroad in England.

 

AGAIN UNKNOWN

 Soon Hulot's birthday, we waited for the guests. On the table was a bouquet in a vase of chrysanthemums. Hulot, joyfully anticipating the delicious dinner and fun evening, walked around the table, rubbing his hands, and arrange wine glasses and wine glasses. Popped minute Ernst unknown, stood at my broken piano, congratulated Hulot and fled. "What happened - I asked Hulot - why so quickly gone Ernst?" It turns out that he has lodged in his studio haired Jeanne, an actress from the theater of Stanislavsky and his wife Dina, after learning about it, took her daughter and left the house. After talking a bit on this topic, we spent the whole evening drinking, dancing, singing, and then together with her friends arranged this concert. All fun until the morning. In the morning I left the theater on tour. Put me on the train and waved to me, Hulot disappeared, and the train drove off, I do not remember in what city. I was in the same compartment with his girlfriend Larissa Reysler and actor Ian Krasnyanskiy. The fourth was not long before it moved from Tallinn Nikolai Alexeyev. On the table were already fried chicken, pickles, radish, well, and, of course, vodka. Kolya sat sad-pregrustny, and I have to cheer the company began telling the past stories, well, history with Ernst Neizvestny. "Oh, - cried Kolya - so it's my wife, Jeanne!" "Well, then do not worry, it will not last long," - I tell him. But Kohl and he quickly consoled.

In his rare days off Hulot liked to go out in our garden, next to the house, for some reason known as "Sofeykoy. There we had cordoned off their own territory. In the middle of a garden on the pedestal stood a large bust of Lenin. Hulot sat under it and began to draw the children in our yard. They crowd ran to him and held together with their parents live part. Everyone wanted to get a portrait as a keepsake.

Much time spent in the studio Hulot. Hulot and Ilya Kabakov, together shared their dark, damp studio, and shared their meager meals. Ilya Kabakov is very friendly with Hulot, he was his closest friend until the last minute. Kabakov wrote a very serious book about creativity Sooster.

Hulot liked to cook incredible meals and all the boasting about his recipes. Kabakov recalls a meal: "First, put on a hot skillet chops to eight cents, slightly roasted, then topped up with hot water Hulot, and bark all boils, put slices of melted cheese, onions, spices and everything that was in our workshop, then all ate it with an incredible pleasure to us and our occasional guests.

 

NOT A MEMBER OF THE UNION

 Big events unfolded in our lives. Ilya Kabakov, a friend and ally, has built a studio and began to help Hulot seek the same building permit. All the lofts in the house belonged to the Union of Artists of the Kirov, and Hulot had not been admitted to the Union. The first idea that we should still try to join the union. Hulot was nervous, worried, he knew that his paintings, none of the authorities and do not look like no one wanted to understand them. After much debate and persuasion Hulot nevertheless agreed to submit work for the commission. First round - good luck! Second round - passed! But the third ... Comes home and says: "I have laid their pictures, they look, then - a long silence, begin to walk up and down, and then burst into a terrible cursing, shouting -" Get out! ". I collect their pictures, link them in the hallway, suddenly I heard again my name is. Again, spread the picture again silent for a long time looking. Beyond this case and did not go. "

When Hulot died, the Union of graphs, whose chairman was Vasin, decided to write a family of 200 rubles. Then it was big money. Kabakov was happy to inform me that there is a solution and that can go and get money. Then suddenly something with this case faltered, after a few days comes Vasin, and says: "Imagine, I could never have occurred that Hulot is not a member of the Union of graphs. We are, unfortunately, nothing in this situation we can not do, for assistance you refused. " "Such an artist, not a member of the Union!" - He grieved.

Yes, the artist Hulot Sooster was not a member of the Union. In the journal "Literary Review" for 1992 was written: "Yulo Sooster - uncommon phenomenon in the development of our schedules 60-ies." How much strength and health has been lost because of this idiotic for membership.

Recently Hulot hated the book. He suffered greatly, which is of great fame as a graphic artist, rather than as a painter, although that painting was suttvorchestva. Each book he illustrated, never went smoothly. Always finding fault with his drawings, always forced to alter to suit to popular taste. And he believed that there is life on Mars, that there is another world. He wanted to test ourselves, to try it. Above all, he wanted to feel that people will feel when approaching death. I know what heaven and hell, I feel pain of purgatory. He repeatedly told me that he wants to know what feels murdered. Once he pulled the rope around my neck and began to drag, waiting for the nausea. After nausea occurred most sweet feeling of ascension to heaven, and then he let go of the rope.

He often stood in the pouring rain, listening to the thunder and lightning, he was lying in the snow to freeze, he tied himself to a tree at night because he wanted to see the moon and stars in his sleep. Lord, that just never occurred to this crazy artist. He took morphine, smoking hashish. And all this in order to learn how to transmit human emotions in drawings and paintings. He wanted to love all women in the world: thin and thick, beautiful and terrible, blondes and brunettes, red and chestnut. He wanted to embrace the boundless. He ran around in a cage like an animal, annoyed to the animal market is that it does not understand. Topal feet in a rage, and anger drowned in wine. But having slept through the night, got up, smiled, and diligently to work. I do not remember that he ever talked about sin and repentance. I do not remember that he delved into the mysteries of religion. Hulot was wrong. He was very educated, well-known Bible. He loved to talk about the origin of the world. He knew the rites of Muslims, Catholics, Lutherans and Baptists. With my father, they talked about the rites of Judaism. It was all interesting to the whole thing was.