Only in America until the Museum of Russian Art is now one of the main attractions of the city of Minneapolis. He created on the basis of the richest collection of Raymond Johnson - a tireless enthusiast, patron, a dealer, the ascetic, endlessly in love with the variety of fine art distant country, considers it his duty and vocation as much as possible to show and tell their compatriots about living and living in Russia and the former Soviet Union artists and their creative achievements.
This collection of Russian realistic painting of the twentieth century, art historians consider the largest outside Russia.
Experts say that an American collector was able to understand (or feel) that know not everyone even in Russia itself. Namely: the main and most interesting artistic direction of Russian art of the twentieth century has been and remains realistic.
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About the same time he himself told me when, after the noisy opening of the exhibition, we settled down in his office right there in the museum, created on his personal funds. However, the cabinet, whose walls are hung with paintings, too, is arguably one of the museum's halls, only entrance is closed to outsiders. However, the owner said that the exposition here will be constantly changing, and paintings from his office, other offices and storerooms will appear in the main halls. In recent years, Raymond Johnson does not think of themselves differently, as in the environment of Russian painting. So he lives and works. By the way, thanks to this addiction, and interest in Russia, he became last year's honorary consul of Russia in Minnesota.
- And how do you, Mr. Johnson began to assemble his collection?
- In America is always well-known prominent Russian writers, musicians, ballet dancers. And about Russian artists, especially the second half of the twentieth century, was little known. So I decided to learn about them more. Posted in the Russia of his rights, that he held for me the study. When I heard his record, immediately realized that I wanted to gather a collection of Russian painting. That was 15 years ago. Since then I have doing. Why is not difficult to understand. Suffice it at least once to see these pictures.
- You own art salon in Scottsdale (Arizona), and not only collect but also to sell the painting. At the first stage of Russian painting was for you business. Now?
- Now this is a passion. A very important part of my life.
- What was the very first picture in your personal collection?
- Here is, 'Young Pioneer Fedor Shapaeva - my companion pointed to a canvas, decorating the walls of the cabinet. - She was one of the first.
- And how many pictures in your collection? Those that you sell and save for themselves and for the museum?
- I think the museum will always be about a thousand pictures.
I try to retain possession of as much as possible the work, although some actually will sell. Which, do not know. It happens that at the last moment I feel very sorry to part with them, and I change my decision. For example, in my collection of many pictures Tkachev brothers. Ten of them are likely to remain in the museum. Among the ten other some can be sold, but may also stay with me. Of course, we can not put them all at once. But viewers need to see, as the exposition will be constantly changing. In addition, we are ready to provide our paintings to other museums in the United States. For us constantly request it.
- Many of the pictures in your collection can serve as a classic example of socialist realism. This style of art had the bias not only in the West, but in modern Russia. What, I think unfairly - because among these works are true masterpieces. By the way, director of the Tretyakov Gallery, Valentin Rodionov said at the opening day, that many of these paintings were created outside the political context of his time. The inner world of man, life and death, love, beauty of nature - is the fundamental theme and the world, and Russian art.
- In our museum is really a lot of outstanding work. And not all of them fit into the canons of socialist realism. In my collection, for example, is widely represented Russian impressionism, develops the principles of realistic art. Regarding bias, then the Americans formed stereotypical perception of Russian art. Many here believe that in Soviet times, it served only to promote official ideology. This is not so. Some paintings were actually commissioned by the government, but they are a minority. This artist works, obeying their own thoughts and feelings.
In addition, Russia has always been the rich artistic traditions and strong training. All these works are not confined to the highest pictorial skill and creative freedom. I think that in the last 75 years the best pictures around the world were written in Russia.
- By the way, Russia's art Maria Bulanova convinced that Socialist Realism had a decisive influence on the development of world art in the twentieth century.
- I agree with this.
- Which painting in your collection do you like most? - It is hard to say. One of my favorite paintings - Helium Korzheva-Chuveleva. I do believe that Korzhev (he was born in 1925) is among the most interesting artists of the second half of last century.
Pictures he wrote in 1983-1989, respectively. She seemed a message from his childhood. In 1920 the family Korzheva, as did virtually all the Soviet family, lived in a communal apartment. Maroussia - neighbor of the communal. As told by the artist himself, she worked at the factory and wore a proletarian red scarf and heavy tarpaulin boots. Evidently, it makes a strong impression on the boy and forever etched in his memory, when many years later, becoming an artist, he depicted the female figure, has kept these symbols of the proletarian way of life - a red scarf and tarpaulin boots. Art critics consider this picture a real masterpiece, and note that the author has managed to be interesting to combine the elements of the old artistic traditions (sleeping, naked woman) with realistic details, reflecting Soviet reality. At the public fabric produces a contradictory impression. Some believe that even the most difficult life could not kill Marousia femininity and beauty, others see it as a living corpse. But in any case, almost without exception, recognize that this outstanding work of a great master.
- Frankly, I find it kind of depressing feeling.
- Always be aware of what he wanted to tell the artist himself - explains the collector. - I also love the picture Tkachev brothers, Vladimir Stozharov, Basil Nechitailo.
- Who helps you search for pictures in Russia?
- First and foremost, an art historian Maria Bulanova, which you mentioned. I trust her opinion. Usually it is by finding something that tells me to come to Moscow to see the picture itself, but sometimes sends me pictures, and I usually just make a purchase. Can not wait, and then the cloth will get someone else.
- Can you remember any unusual incident related to the purchase of paintings?
- Ten years ago, when the banking system in Russia was still not completely developed, I had to go there with a suitcase of money. In my briefcase sometimes lying about a million dollars. And then I was genuinely afraid for his safety. But in that situation was a lot of humor. Now, fortunately, I can hold all payments through banks.
- How much worth is your most expensive painting?
- Approximately 450 thousand dollars. But I do not want to speak for a painting I gave the money, because I do not know whether paying taxes to the state the person who sold it to me.
- So, the price of painting in Russia is high?
- Yes, very high, and there is nothing surprising. But I was even glad of it. I am glad for the artists and their families. I was not interested in a Russian painting. Interest in it is within Russia itself. In 2003, when 24 paintings from my collection were shown at an exhibition at the Tretyakov Gallery, I spoke at a press conference in Moscow that Russia collectors should pay greater attention to Russian art, or all of these paintings will be abroad. Now I have to compete with Russia's rich collectors, who go to auctions in London and New York to return to their country that had once gone abroad.
- How many serious collectors in the United States of Russian painting?
- Maybe another 15-20 people. I helped many of them by their advice, and they promised me that their collections will be on display in our museum. We should make sure that these pictures saw a lot of people.
- And with Russia's authorities, you have no problems arise?
- No. We always tried to be cautious and do everything by the law. We collaborate with the Ministry of Culture and the Tretyakov Gallery and nothing out of the country without proper authorization. I was never involved in smuggling. Sometimes, the delivery of paintings had to wait a whole year. But if you do everything by the rules, then in the end, your patience will be rewarded. And I can be sure that no one produces the right of the picture, which I bought legally.
- Are there any work in Russia, for which you are now hunted?
- Sometimes I know what's selling some thing that interests me and which can fill a gap in my collection. However, much depends on whether I have at this moment free money. Sometimes it happens that they are not. Once I saw an auction that interested me a sheet worth 1.2 million dollars. That kind of money I was not there then, and I persuaded one of his friends to buy now, because he knew that he would agree to put it in our museum. In general, I buy every year in Russia on some excellent work and I intend to continue this exercise to make the collection of the Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis is even more interesting.
24.09.2008, 06:39
Collector Raymond Johnson
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