Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Democracy, Violence and Authoritarianism in Post-Communist Romania: A Reassessment
The Romanian Cultural Institute in New York and the Institute for Investigation of the Communist Crimes and for the Memory of the Romanian Exile in Bucharest (IICCMRC) present on April 8, in RCINY's Gallery, a special event in conjunction with “Civic Resistance and State Violence” - a memorial photo exhibition about the violent transition from dictatorship to democracy in post-communist Romania. The exhibition brings together personal testimonies of the witnesses and photographs about the violence brought against the civilians during the miners coming to Bucharest in June 13-15, 1990.
The critical assessment, 20 years after, of this violence, illustrated by some of the exhibition photographs, will be the starting point for a comparison with the violence against civilians that has been inflicted in Egypt, other North African countries and the Middle East as a result of civil upheavals in 2011.
The panel will be chaired by Vladimir Tismăneanu (professor of politics and Director of the Center for the Study of Post-communist Societies at University of Maryland - College Park), and will bring together Cătălin Avramescu (Ph.D. Professor at the University of Bucharest), Grigore Pop-Eleches (Assistant Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University). Moderator: Mihai Neamţu (Scientific Director, IICCMRC, and exhibition co-curator). READ MORE
FRI, April 8, 7 pm
RCINY - The Gallery [Carturesti Book Exhibition]
573-577 3rd Avenue (at 38th Street), New York, NY 10016
FREE ADMISSION
The critical assessment, 20 years after, of this violence, illustrated by some of the exhibition photographs, will be the starting point for a comparison with the violence against civilians that has been inflicted in Egypt, other North African countries and the Middle East as a result of civil upheavals in 2011.
The panel will be chaired by Vladimir Tismăneanu (professor of politics and Director of the Center for the Study of Post-communist Societies at University of Maryland - College Park), and will bring together Cătălin Avramescu (Ph.D. Professor at the University of Bucharest), Grigore Pop-Eleches (Assistant Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University). Moderator: Mihai Neamţu (Scientific Director, IICCMRC, and exhibition co-curator). READ MORE
FRI, April 8, 7 pm
RCINY - The Gallery [Carturesti Book Exhibition]
573-577 3rd Avenue (at 38th Street), New York, NY 10016
FREE ADMISSION
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The Desert of Forbidden Art!
“Crimson Autumn” (1931), by Ural Tansykbaev, at the Nukus Museum in Uzbekistan.
Award winning Russian Art documentary, The Desert of Forbidden Art, will be playing at the Cinema Village, on 22 East 12th Street, March 11-18 and the filmmakers will be having a Q&A after every screening on the weekend of March 11th.
The Desert of Forbidden Art tells the incredible story of how a treasure trove of banned Soviet art worth millions of dollars was stashed in a far-off desert of Uzbekistan, and develops into a larger exploration of how art survives in times of oppression. A fascinating documentary about a group of visionary artists and one man who risked his life to rescue their work.
The Desert of Forbidden Art has already sold out screenings at the National Gallery, MFA Boston, and MOMA Fortnight, just to name a few. The film has just been listed as a critics pick by New York Magazine. Visit www.desertofforbiddenart.com/ for the trailer and screening times as well at Cinema Village website http://www.cinemavillage.com/chc/cv/default.asp.
Check out more information from the New York Times!
Events This Week
CONFERENCE: Nonconformism and Dissent in the Soviet Bloc: Guiding Legacy or Passing Memory? 1501 SIPA, (Wednesday-Friday)
The conference will focus on political and cultural nonconformism in Ukraine, Russia, and Poland in the 1960s to 80s. It will bring together an international assemblage of scholars studying that period of time as well several noteworthy dissidents and artists. The conference will offer a historical overview of the period and will present the latest research conducted on the subject. Additionally, the conference will provide an analysis of the political and cultural legacies of these movements in today’s Ukraine, Russia, and Poland.
The conference will examine these issues through a series of scholarly panels as well as roundtable discussions featuring prominent Soviet-era dissidents and nonconformist artists. The three-day conference will begin with an evening keynote address by Dr. Myroslav Marynovych, former Ukrainian dissident and prisoner of conscience and, currently, Vice-rector for the University Mission of the Ukrainian Catholic University (L'viv, Ukraine); the address will be followed by a reception. Days two and three will include panels and roundtables followed by cultural programming in the evenings showcasing achievements in nonconformist film, music and literature of this era. The conference will conclude with a special North American concert by Victor Morozov, a legendary nonconformist cultural figure in Soviet Ukraine and a major recording artist in Ukraine today, at the Ukrainian Museum (222 East 6th Street).
Participants: Myroslav Marynovych, Pavel Litvinov, Henryk Wujec, Vitaly Komar, Ewa Wójciak, Volodymyr Dibrova, Mykola Riabchuk, Peter Reddaway, Ann Komaromi, Benjamin Nathans, Alexander Motyl, Justyna Beinek, Ksenya Kiebuzinski, Michael Bernhard, Jeri Laber, Mark Andryczyk, Catharine Nepomnyashchy, Anna Procyk, Christina Isajiw, William Risch, Anna Frajlich-Zajac, Yuri Shevchuk, Timothy Frye, Tarik Amar, Frank Sysyn, and Victor Morozov.
The conference is presented by the Ukrainian Studies Program at the Harriman Institute, Columbia University. It is organized in collaboration with the Columbia University East Central European Center, the Polish Cultural Institute–New York, and The Ukrainian Museum.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information please contact Mark Andryczyk at 212-854-4697 or at ukrainianstudies@columbia.edu.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM: http://www.harrimaninstitute.org/MEDIA/01946.pdf
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MOVIE: GROMOZEKA (2010), VLADIMIR KOTT, Friday Apr 1, 6:00 PM (Moma), sat apr 2, 3:45 (Film society of lincoln center)
Q&A WITH DIRECTOR!
The title of writer-director Vladimir Kott’s deft, engrossing follow-up to The Fly (ND/NF 2009) comes from the name of the band in which the film’s protagonists played during their high-school days—briefly glimpsed in the film’s opening shots. Today, these three middle-aged men—a surgeon, police officer, and taxi driver—inhabit distinct levels of Moscow’s socio-economic structure. Aside from their annual reunions, their lives intersect only glancingly and unknowingly.
Kott follows their respective personal discontent and professional troubles as they reach a crisis point, and presents the contrasting ways in which each of the characters tries to cope—and the unpredictable outcomes. The three interwoven narratives provide a compelling and very human portrait of the moral dilemmas of modern life and reveal an urban experience that defies some of the bleaker visions of life in 21st-century Russia.
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MOVIE: Ivan the Terrible Part I (Sergei Eisenstein, 1944) Film Society of Lincoln Center, 1:00 PM (Thursday)
MOVIE: Ivan the Terrible Part II (Sergei Eisenstein, 1958) FSLC, 3:00 PM (Thursday)
"Disapproved of by Stalin, the second part of Eisenstein’s feverishly expressive final masterpiece turns to Russian court intrigues as Boyars attempt to unseat Ivan."********************************************************
Russian Discussion Hour by Harriman Undergraduate Initiative, Hungarian Pastry Shop, 7:00 PM (Thursday)
"We would like to invite you to a Russian discussion hour this Thursday, February 17th, at 7:00 pm at the Hungarian Pastry Shop! Everyone with an interest in the Russian language is invited and the Harriman Undergraduate Initiative will provide coffee and snacks.
The Hungarian Pastry Shop is located at 111th and Amsterdam. Tell all of your friends and we look forward to seeing you Thursday night!"
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EXHIBIT: Georgians in American History: A Photo Narrative, Harriman Institute Atrium, 12th Floor IAB, 420 West 118th Street, NYC (Friday-Saturday)
This exhibition is the culmination of a decade of research by film director Irakli Makahradze intended to uncover the role played by Georgians in shaping American history. Photographs will introduce viewers to a series of little-known individuals whose contributions to American history date as far back as the Civil War. The project will trace a genealogy of significant Georgian-American biographies to the present day.
The entire collection of photos and materials will be made available in the form of printed catalogues. This exhibit is co-organized by the Georgian Democratic and Political Club.
This exhibition is the culmination of a decade of research by film director Irakli Makahradze intended to uncover the role played by Georgians in shaping American history. Photographs will introduce viewers to a series of little-known individuals whose contributions to American history date as far back as the Civil War. The project will trace a genealogy of significant Georgian-American biographies to the present day.
The entire collection of photos and materials will be made available in the form of printed catalogues. This exhibit is co-organized by the Georgian Democratic and Political Club.
Events This Week
"Soviet Communal Living: An Oral History of the Kommunalka," 1219 SIPA, 12:15 pm (Tuesday)
Please join the Harriman Institute and the Slavic Department to mark the publication of Paola Messana’s new book Soviet Communal Living: An Oral History of the Kommunalka (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011).
Soviet Communal Living: An Oral History of the Kommunalka brings together fascinating testimonies from thirty inhabitants of the “Kommunalka,” the communal apartments that were a common feature of Russian cities during the Soviet era. Beginning in 1920, multiple Russian families—purposefully selected from different social classes—were relocated and crammed together into single apartments. The intent was not simply to level out class differences, but also to create spy networks within homes and extend the government’s surveillance and control over citizens. Possibly the most important social experiment undertaken by the Soviet regime, the Kommunalka arguably had as much as if not more of an effect on the experiences of inhabitants than external political realities. Soviet Communal Livingoffers a fascinating glimpse into the circumstances that defined daily life for millions of citizens during the seven decades of communist rule—and, in some cases, long after.
Paola Messana is the New York Bureau Chief of Agence France-Presse, and the agency’s former Moscow Bureau Chief. She holds degrees in Russian from the Sorbonne and Political Science from the Paris Institute of Political Studies.
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"Lyric Poetry and Modern Politics: Russia, Poland, and the West," NYU, 5:30 pm (Wednesday)
A lecture by Clare Cavanagh on Milosz, Szymborska, Akhmatova, and Mandelstam.
20 Cooper Square
7th Floor
New York, NY 10003
Tickets: Free and open to the public
Telephone: 212.998.2190
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Nevrus (Noruz, etc.) Celebration @ DROM, 8:00 pm (Doors at 7:00 pm) (Wednesday)
Amir Vahab and his Ensemble will perform songs selected from the poetry of the great Sufi Masters Rumi, Hafez, Yunus Emre as well as folkloric songs from different parts of Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan. The lively folk and traditional music featuring the etherial sounding Ney (mystical reed flute), Oud/Ud (the short neck lute), Tanbur (ancient three-stringed long-necked lute), Saz (seven-stringed long neck lute), Daf/Def (large frame drum associated with Sufi rituals), Dohol/Davul (Double-headed folk drum used most often in celebrations) and Tombak (Persian goblet drum). The concert concludes with a dynamic drumming performance that echoes the universal heartbeat of existence.
The New York Times calls him the "ambassador for a silenced music."
Amir Alan Vahab is one of New York’s most celebrated and distinguished composer / vocalists of sufi and folk music. He sings in nine different languages with a unique mystical style. The virtuosos of Amir weave fiery instrumentals and songs of the Ancient land of the Middle East that include Persian, Turkish, Azeri and beyond. As an instrumentalist, he plays and teaches the tar, setar, tanbour, saz, oud, ney, daf and zarb.
Kazakh ethno-rock band "Ulytau" was formed in 2001 with the aim to highlight and convey to the audience the beauty of folk songs, to promote among youth the art of playing the dombra and present the world the greatness of the Kazakh national heritage. The word "Ulytau" in Kazakh language means "Great Mountain". Group Ulytau "- a real breakthrough in the world and home of contemporary instrumental music that the band with such enthusiasm and drive, perform the works of the greatest composers, such as: Kurmangazy Dauletkerey, Tattimbet, N. Tlendiev, Bach, Vivaldi, Paganini. The guys from "Ulytau" is equally passionate about how to find cover versions of classics and the works of Kazakh classics in their own interpretation of the rich - very compacted in sound and dramatically associate opus. They hear the gusts of wind of the steppe, mnitsya smell of sun-scorched grass, seen proud gait graceful thoroughbreds, the strict gaze of elders, mesmerizing mystery ceremonial rituals ... Call it art, and "World Music". By the way, virtuoso electric guitar riffs in "Ulytau" bring to mind similar exercises Ritchie Blackmore, and dynamic and very charismatic rumbling bass - Roger Glover. Musicians with talent inkrustiruyut traditionally bright sounding violins and distinctly focused - Kazakh national instrument dombra a rigid aesthetic of hard rock, blues and ... relaxing New Age.
AND...
AND...
Mugam 4lusu from Azerbaijan.
Advance Price: $10; Door Price: $15
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CONFERENCE: Franz Liszt and the Birth of Modern Europe (Thursday-Friday)
This conference is sponsored by Columbia University’s East Central European Center, the Harriman Institute, the European Institute and the Consulate General of the Republic of Hungary. Please RSVP to ece@columbia.edu.
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MOVIE: Outbound (
Bogdan George Apetri,
2010) 9:00 pm (Thursday @ MoMa) or 5:30 pm (Saturday @ Film Society of Lincoln Center)
"The march of New Romanian Cinema continues apace in this quietly gripping drama that steadily descends into a dog-eat-dog netherworld in which matter-of-fact exploitation and reflexive avarice are givens. Two years into a five-year prison sentence, Matilda is given a day pass to attend her mother’s funeral. In the 24 hours that follow, the camera tracks this determined and unsentimental woman as she relentlessly pursues her goal of finding the money she needs to skip the country for good. As single-minded as its protagonist, this brisk, hard-edged, and businesslike film bears many of the hallmarks of the new generation of talented Romanian filmmakers. With his first feature, Bogdan George Apetri deservedly joins their ranks."
Click here for more information.
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"Global Models, National Strategies: Higher Education Policy in Russia,"
Since 2005, the Russian government has pursued ambitious programs to modernize its education system, with particular attention to higher education and internationalization. Russia has introduced a universal state exam, EGE, for college admission; established elite research and federal universities by providing them with additional funding; allowed for private business and research universities to grow, and actively joined the Bologna Process, etc. Has Russia attained its goal? Have these reforms been successful? How will these impact Russia, CEE/CIS, and Europe?
Panelists include: Alexander Karp (Teachers College, Columbia University), Ben Eklof (Indiana University), Harley Balzer (Georgetown University), Mark Johnson (University of Wisconsin-Madison), and Iveta Silova (Lehigh University).
This event is co-sponsored by the Harriman Institute and Teachers College. This event is FREE and open to the public.
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MOVIE: Loves of a Blonde (Milos Forman,
1965) Film Society of Lincoln Center, 1:00 pm (Friday)
Milos Forman,
Click here for more information.
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"Kandinsky at the Bauhaus, 1922–1933" at the Guggenheim (Info)
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Zlatne Uste Brass Band, Drom, 10:30 pm (Doors at 10:00 pm) (Saturday)
From Kolos to Kusturica, experience the rich sounds of driving Balkan brass. Zlatne Uste (Golden Lips) is an internationally known group of American-born musicians playing traditional music of the Balkans, primarily representing Serbian, Macedonian, Bulgarian and Romany (Gypsy) traditions. Four-time invited guest at the Dragachevo Brass Festival in Gucha, Serbia, the 12-piece band is among the foremost presenters of traditional Balkan dance music in the United States. Each year Zlatne Uste hosts and produces the Golden Festival, New York's biggest and best Balkan music festival with an astounding 40 or more bands and something for everyone. (Info)
Advance Price: $10; Door Price: $15
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Russian National Ballet's Romeo & Juliet, Lehman Center, 4:00 pm (Sunday)
The 35-member Russian National Ballet brings one of the greats of Russian classical ballet, Romeo & Juliet scored by Tchaikovsky. The ballet portrays Shakespeare's famous romantic tragedy of young lovers thwarted by a family feud. Artistic Director and founder of the company Elena Radchenko is dedicated to upholding the grand national tradition of Russian ballet, while developing new talent. This performance recreates the original choreography of the legendary Marius Petipa.
With a company of 35 dancers, including a large corps de ballet, the Russian National Ballet Theatre has upheld the grand tradition of major Russian ballet works. The troupe returns to Lehman Center to bring to life the beautiful tale of William Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. This performance is set to the remarkable score by Tchaikovsky.
(Info)
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"In the Mirrors" by the Dialogue Theater, 5:00 pm (Sunday)
ENCORE PERFORMANCE!
Please celebrate with us World Theater Day as the Dialogue Theater presents the encore performance of "In the Mirrors," dedicated to the fascinating Silver Age of Russian poetry. The scene is set in St. Petersburg between 1910-1913 at the legendary "The Stray Dog Cafe." The play celebrates the legacy of Russian poetry and the cultural figures of the Silver Age: A. Akhmatova, N. Gumilev, Kuzmin, O. Mandel’shtam and others. The script is based on excerpts from their widely acclaimed poetry, compilations of rare memoirs, letters, musical improvisations, romances and documentary film clips.
Written and adapted by: Irina Volkovich
Cast: R. Galitch, I. Yesilevskaya, R. Freid, S. Gordeev, N. Romanova
Stage decoration: Kira Melamed, James Caratini
Sound and light: Yuriy Avezov
In Russian.
Read a review of the premiere performance of "In the Mirrors" here.
Tickets: $20, $17 for Shorefront Y members, seniors, students
Shorefront YM-YWHA
3300 Coney Island Ave Brooklyn NY 11235
718-646-1444 ext 326
www.shorefronty.org/arts
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Wallach Art Gallery Exhibition
Project Europa: Imagining the (Im)Possible
January 19–March 26, 2011
"The past two decades in European history have been marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall and the unification of Europe—monumental events seen by many as symbolically heralding a new social and democratic vision. Project Europa: Imagining the (Im)Possible brings together 19 artists whose work, created in the aftermath of these historic events, considers the relationship of art to democracy and responds in various ways to the conflicts and contradictions of Europe's democratic dream.
Organized by the Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida, Project Europa addresses the complex positioning of Europe in the modern world. While the continent embodies the notions of democracy, human rights, peace and diversity, it also reverberates with xenophobia, racism, religious intolerance, and—especially after the fall of the World Trade Center towers—heightened security and the hardening of immigration policies. Project Europa's artists are catalysts for new ways of seeing, thinking about and imagining Europe...
The artists included in the exhibition are Francis Alÿs, Fikret Atay, Kader Attia, Maja Bajević, Yto Barrada, Tacita Dean, Beate Gütschow, Jens Haaning, Susan Hefuna, Eva Leitolf, Aernout Mik, Marcel Odenbach, Dan Perjovschi, Marjetica Potrč, Andrea Robbins and Max Becher, Bruno Serralongue, Superflex and Lidwien Van de Ven."
Click here for more information.
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