Opening of the International Art Project "Seance"

On July 17, 2007, in National Library of Belarus gallery and exhibition complex took place a ceremony of the opening of the International Art project "Seance". The main point of this project was revealed at the exhibition opening day. An unusual opening without traditional speeches meant to let a visitor into a secret of an artist's creative way.

The opening began with a traditional performances presented by a group under the direction of V.Dvornikova and pantomime theatre "Eye" under the direction of D.Mastsianitsa. S.Pukst, the musician, poet and composer, presented a soundtrack to the performances. For the first time in Belarusian exhibition activity, the opening day had an interactive character. Georgiy Poplavski, Belarus and the USSR people’s artist, authorized member of Russian Academy of Arts, laureate of the Republic of Belarus State prize; Vladimir Kozhuh, the honored art figure, and Evgeniy Shunejko, the artist, art critic, docent of Belarusian State Academy of Arts answered the visitors’ questions on the birth of an artistic work and an artist’s personality and creative way. Young and little known artists had a "moment of glory" too. Andrey Dubibin, the photographer, Philipp Basalyga, the graphic artist, and Ivan Semiletov, the painter presented their works. During the opening took place a lottery where were drawn 30 lots - works by Belarusian painters and photographers L.Korneeva, V.Isachenko, M.Bajrachniy, N.Rachkovskaya, Y.Shuneyko, I.Semiletov, A.Zhernosek, V.Kolesnikova, F.Yastreb, V.Afanasyev, V.Tsihonov, and others.

Art studios were the next part of the opening. Photographers Evgeniy Zaluzhniy and Victor Zhurlitsin opened a "photo atelier". Victor Tsihonov’s art studio acquainted visitors with stages of the creation of an artistic work. Picture "Apple-tree" created by several artists will be demonstrated at the easel till the exhibition closing. There were as well presented compositions from fruits and vegetables which were eaten thereafter, such as "living pictures" or a composition by Nadezhda Skarynka "Way to the Decadence". Drawing from nature aroused a great interest of visitors. Y. Shuneyko, V. Afanasyev, and young graphic artists from Belarusian State Academy of Arts drew portraits of those who wished that. In the opening day participated about 300 visitors who could feel the age-old connection "artist-model" and "artist-muse".