Exhibition: Masters of book illustrations from the collection of Boris Mikhailovich Friedman

[Vladimir]

The State Literary Museum (Trubnikovsky Lane., 17) until September 6 last show with an impressive long title "Masters of book graphic: Vladimir Tabor, Yuri Vashchenko, Igor Makarevich, Boris Sveshnikov, Leonid Tishkov from the collection of BM Friedman.

The name is so specific and comprehensive, that allowed us to turn aside for a digression. Boris Fridman - the legendary founder of the computer market for Russia's firm Microinform "(which led to this day). He went into business, founded the joint venture as soon as the Soviet authorities opened the window of opportunity. 1988. What happened? Law on Cooperatives? Then the first "ah-bi-emy," which cost almost as Zhiguli, scarce book Figurnova «IBM PC User" (which students memorized, yet have never seen the PC, just in case), the DOS operating system , file manager, Norton Commander, spreadsheet and ... Supercalc editor Lexicon ... cd lexicon \ lexicon.exe So here is the "Lexicon for DOS just and supported by" Microinform "until it together with the DOS has been replaced by Microsoft with its Windows and Word . What happened around the beginning of 1990. I remember the first course was still on the EC computers with DOS and Lexicon'om, and the second is Windows 3.11 went. Interestingly, the "Iron Lady" Microsoft's Olga Dergunova also at the dawn of the computer revolution in Russia, worked as Head of Sales in the Microinform. What all these memories? Including the fact that like many businessmen, they found the formation of the market, Friedman could afford to choose any area of collecting - even the Impressionists. He chose the sixties, an informal post-war art, graphics, artist's books - that is, things are mostly intellectual, not capable of gathering of impressing the unprepared audience.

I was lucky enough to talk on his favorite topic with Boris Fridman few years ago, even through the magazine "Direktor-info", which was the topic "Investing in art. Then we will probably first began to attract the attention of new investors to the theme of the sixties, long before the price of the first names have grown by 5-10 times. Going to interview about the money, especially promising directions and investments, and ultimately, about what does not talk ... except money. Friedman - nastoschy enthusiastic collector-enthusiast. He is interesting not spectacular outer side (so stunning oil meter by three), and the spirit of the time, his intellectual component, which is clearly manifested in samizdat and other art "in the sixties and seventies. Need to hear how long the enthusiasm and Friedman can talk about the unofficial poet (Gennady Aigi, Vladimir Aleinikov, Leonid Gubanov, etc.), as he tenderly refers to non-geniuses of art, interest in what he is like in such an unusual collection material as a book artist. Many know this and appreciate. For exhibition graphics from the collection of Friedman's advance gained the status of a certain intellectual feast, feast.

However, in this and the strength of the exhibition, and at the same time it is weak. The exhibition is not for everyone. From the perspective of the show schedule book - in general not the best object. Mass audience certainly thinks leaves (often not even color) exhibits a rather homely, and the tools engraver cause he mostly local history interest. To lubricate the impression, no need to adjust to the high entertainment. And lay more time - the exhibition will bring more fun when you long thoughtful examination. Moreover, experience in this case - is the surest way to "documentation": all the exhibits under glass, so the quality of the photo - you know.

Vladimir Bogdanov, AI