In Tartu the early morning I met Lembit Saarts. We took a box of pictures and went to him. Hulot and Lembit became friends during his studies at the "Pallas". Arrested, they were together. After his release, Lembit returned to Tartu, married and became an "enhanced", as told to Hulot, painting. His wife Sylvia and safeguarded in every way he carried countless hardships of life. She was very jealous of her friends who live in Tartu, the artist who, as she felt lured into their network of her husband. Lembit has brought me to his home where he lived with Sylvia, son and mother.
After breakfast Lembit opened the box, set up the picture and began to admire. He ran the studio, taking a picture of a white frame, in gray, and then the gold. He saw the picture as if they were women, and he tried on his hat to their toilets. Suddenly we heard a noise at the bottom of the car and were taken aback. Arrived Tallinners headed by Inge Teder. By the time Victor Reed has already reached and signed an agreement on the transfer of works in Tartu. Teder said that they are showing special funds for the purchase of works for Sooster Kadriorg Museum. Art critics seized a large number of works - painting and graphics. We Lembit danced for joy.
Tallinn option suited me more. Tartu at that time for foreigners was a closed city, so the museum Kadriorg "in Tallinn, leaving more opportunities to get acquainted with the works.
But then came the director of the Tartu Museum Vaike Tiyk with its employees, art. When I told her about the visit Tallinners and their desire to acquire part of the work, she remained calm and majestic. On the list of works prepared for transfer to Tartu, I flagged that selected Tallinners. The situation, of course, there was not easy. I well understand the feelings of Tartu director, who agreed to accept work after the pervonachalchalno in Tallinn, I was turned down. Of course, Mrs. Tiyk was indignant. It recently Kadriorg Museum, headed by Inge Gederathite afraid to take work, but now, of course, Vayk Tiyk did not want to share with them. But the interests of business were the most important thing to me. I am seriously worried that conflict. The rivalry between the two museums were very undesirable. Tallinners repeatedly came to Tartu selected for the work they do, but something always went wrong. That works restored, then photographed, then the director is not there, then something else. Director "Kadriorg" came to me in Moscow and complained, I wrote in Tartu, but in vain. As a result, Inge Teder so disliked me, that said they had heard about me and pictures Sooster no longer wishes ever.
We are greatly indebted Vaike Tiyk for the fact that thanks to her heritage Hulot was scattered throughout the world. Thanks to her for what she helped to keep the name Sooster and his work for the Estonian art.
Vaike Tiyk conveyed to me that the deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers Edgar Tynurist wishes to have a picture of Hulot and that he is waiting for my consent. She gave his word that he is ready to help us, if we need anything, and that we could live in Estonia, if so wanted.
Again I went to Tallinn. At this time, to meet with Tynuristom. I so wanted to stay in this wonderful well-kept city, where I was beckoned the blue sky and blue sea. But I did not feel in Estonia its. I knew that we, the newcomers - the occupiers. I remember Hulot once introduced me to an Estonian artist, but he did not shake my hand and pretended not to hear my name. I was sitting in the company, near tears, and thought that I can not cry all the passers-by that I am your soul, that I love you all and that I am personally in no way guilty.
We Meedi went to the reception. Large room, a table with papers, he Tynurist small stature, modest and nice. Agreed on the sale of over three hundred rubles. He wanted to pay immediately, but I said let Mrs. Tiyk first pick for his work, and only then pay for. But soon he was removed from office for having refused to sign onerous for Estonian conditions of supply of products to other regions of the Union, as demanded by Moscow. So I was told. And now he still received. In his NÕMME house he ordered a specially designed wall, on which hung a picture Sooster. This Oleviste Church, buried in a stone bag. So Yulo expressed his attitude to the Soviet occupation.
Finally, in April 1971 in Tartu, the opening of the exhibition. Our Moscow artists were happy that the work Hulot found refuge in such a marvelous museum, and Hulot, a new admirer in the face of art-Marie Pillet, who later became a connoisseur of art Sooster.
At the exhibition came I. Kabakov, Yuri Sobolev, V. Reed, V. Yankilevsky, B. Zhutovski, V. Morozov, Khrzhanovsky, V. and J. Pivovarov. There were spots of artists Lembit Saarts, Kaya Kärneri, Sylvia Yygever, Lyuydia Vallimyae-Marc, Valvil Jani. Valvil most often came to Hulot in Moscow. She considered it a true bearer of contemporary art. From Tallinn arrived Valdur and Eetla Ohakas, Heldur Viyres, Henn and Esther Roode, Mullen and Heinz Valk, Jaan Klysheiko and many others. Was unable to attend Roman Minna. He could not survive the death of a friend and ill mental illness. He survived Hulot only ten years. Before his death, Roman ruined several donated his paintings. He gladly showed ruined paintings, saying that Hulot wanted to write them differently, and that he had them finally corrected. We have been so hard for this watch. Recently died and the wife of Roman, Valentina, my friend, the obligatory participant in our Krasin Tuesday.
Previously Hulot occasionally sent to Estonia to the exhibition their works. I think he sends them through the EP, which was in a friend. E. came to Moscow in the days when we lived on the street Krasin. The exhibition in Tartu of Green junipers "and" Round brown junipers, to our surprise, turned out to be labeled as property of P. Meedi was shocked to the core, because they gave her a picture of Hulot. EP returned Meedi pictures, but after this incident, we, unfortunately, no longer leave.
After the death of Hulot paintings he left behind few, only 50-60 works. Six paintings from Aunt Martha's in Sweden, a small amount spread over the world, some student works are with friends, with whom he studied together in school "Pallas".
Enchanted ATELIER
The following spring, the Estonian Artists' Union asked us to bury Hulot in Tallinn at Forest Cemetery, on the Mets-kalmistu. In this cemetery are buried all the famous people of Estonia. On one hill - the writers, on the other - scientists, on the third - with artists and ... We agreed.
Moscow friends, family, Estonian, artists gathered in this sad day to pay tribute to Hulot. After the cemetery we went to the artistic club-cafe "Ku-Ku". Hulot not very fond of this place. Many times he sorted out where their relationship with peers in the work, fought with the artists. This evening was organized by Heinz rolls, the husband of his cousin, Mull. Candles burned, speeches, he has talked Hulot. It was beautiful, sad and wanted to cry.
One year after the death of Hulot. I called to Alyosha Smirnov and asked to visit the studio. Workshop of the I did not recognize. Surrounded by emptiness, it was kind of strange scary. I was scared and uncomfortable. In the middle of the shop stacked to the ceiling in a pile of canvases, frames, stretchers, everything was covered with some piece of cloth. It was like an Indian wigwam. I sat and looked at all these empty eyes, and pictures were gone through before my eyes. What is still a mystery hidden for his death? Who knows all the details? Who was here in those fateful moments?
Alesha said that he was going to sell the studio. He always felt fear, being there. Once he was visited by the ghost Hulot. I had a feeling that Alyosha did not solve all tell me that something is left unsaid. I left the studio, so that more there will never return.
After a while Alyosha sold the studio. He received the money and carried out his wigwam. The keys of the new owner had to pay the next day. Neighbor on the studio Sasha Bloch went to the store, buy myself something for breakfast. On his desk lay a finished book, which he was to pass to the publisher. Sasha returned from the store, went into the yard, and there - the crowd. Everyone looks up to the attic. Fire! All burned. Sasha burned the book, finished drawings, clothing, shop burned Hulot now till then.
What is it - fate? Arson? Short circuit? So is this a burned-out loft. No one will risk there, probably in the arts.
On this sad day came to see me friends Hulot. We arrived and rarely visited me Nemukhin and Vechtomov. Arrived and Vitaly Stesin. He said he went to Israel where he hopes together with Michael Grobmanom open the Center for Contemporary Art, in which artists will be exhibited in all directions. He asked me for work. I decided that I can not give the last work that hang with me and take pictures of the museums can not.
Family Grobmanov had already left. I was with them on wires. Sitting in the corner, and opposite me is Henry Sapgir and reads to his friend the poet Choline poems, written at departure Grobmanov. Around the crowded mass of artists, poets, critics, all are countless. I'm in that crowd was somehow lonely. Ira and Misha - part of my mature youth. And now leaving my hopes, my dreams went. Leaving our secret. Leaving friends and associates Hulot. How Hulot wanted to go with them!
Center for Contemporary Art in Jerusalem failed. Stesin long time do not live in Israel and then lived in Vienna, then in Cologne. Grobman settled in Tel Aviv, where Ira edits the literary and art journal "Mirror". There are many printed materials relating to our past life in Moscow.
Shortly after the fire in the publishing house "Literature" was published last book, illustrated by Hulot - "Spring" Oskar Luts. Hulot had great hopes for this book. In 1972, the All-Union competition for the best book she was awarded first prize. What's the prize if given, it is unclear even a diploma is not issued.