Vologda lace charms Europe

On April 30^th, 2017 in a Swiss town of Pratteln, the “Art of Lacemaking: Vologda Lace ― Treasure of the Russian North” exhibition of the Vologda State Museum-Reserve was launched.

For Russians, Vologda lace is a symbol of delicate handiwork, elegance and beauty known since childhood. Works by Vologda craftswomen are universally acknowledged through well-earned top awards at international expos: 1876 in Philadelphia, 1893 in Chicago, 1925 and 1937 in Paris, 1958 in Brussels.

Vologda lace exhibition in the Principality of Liechtenstein, photo © Giulia Ilina

Last year in autumn the residents and guests of Liechtenstein had a chance to learn more about the unique works of Russian applied art at the “Art of Lacemaking: Vologda Lace ― Treasure of the Russian North” exhibition hosted by the Liechtenstein National Museum. On April 30^th, 2017 the exhibits of the Vologda State Museum-Reserve were displayed in the Swiss gallery Beyeler Collection in Pratteln (Basel).

An invitation to visit the exhibition at the Beyeler Collection gallery, photo © beyeler-collection

The grand opening of the exhibition was attended by Andrey Mirokhin, chairman of Rossotrudnichestvo under the Russian Embassy in Switzerland; Natalia Zolotova, deputy general director for scientific work of the Vologda Museum-Reserve; Reiner Vollkommer, director of the Liechtenstein National Museum and representatives of the Russian-speaking community of Switzerland. 

Hermann Alexander Beyeler, an arts patron and the owner of the gallery was given a note of thanks from the Volodga region governor and a present from the Vologda Lace Museum.

The gallery owner thanked all the guests and said, “I’m proud that my fellow countrymen will see the fairytale beauty of Russian decorative art due to this exhibition. Russian art is unique as well as the Russian soul”. The exposition will also feature Easter eggs decorated with gemstones (their author is artist A. Doll).

The Vologda delegation gives thanks to mister Beyeler, photo © beyeler-collection

 Andrey Mirokhin, a representative of Rossotrudnichestvo under the Russian Embassy in Switzerland, photo © beyeler-collection

Russian opera singers Vitaly Makarenko and Maria Gridneva (Open Opera Project) gave a concert at the exhibition’s opening ceremony.

Cultural connections between Vologda region, Switzerland and Lechtenstein have been fostered by the Embassy of Russia in the Swiss Confederation for more than five years. Thus, in 2012–2015 Swiss collectors donated several exhibits to the Vologda Museum’s exposition of Western-European lace. Among the gifts ― an embroidered Christening bonnet of the Bern aristocrat Amelie Hussen, which now serves as a touching addition to one on the museum’s main showcases.

April, 2013. A Swiss delegation visits Vologda, photo © Giulia Ilina

The main goal of the exhibition devoted to Vologda lace is to tell the visitors about the richness and diversity of Russian applied and ornamental art. All the works displayed at the exposition are made by the hands of modern masters in accord with traditional Vologda lacemaking techniques. The crown jewel of the exhibition is thepanel composition “Vologda Sacred Places” by A. N. Rakcheev, which shows the city symbol ― the Saint Sophia Cathedral.

“Art of Lacemaking: Vologda Lace ― Treasure of the Russian North” exhibition, Beyeler Collection gallery, Pratteln (Basel)

Till July 14^th, 2017.

Giulia Ilina, Basel

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