"Zurab Tsereteli exhibited a warm, paternal demeanor towards visitors, even casual ones."
Rewritten Article:
Zura Tsereit'eli: A Whimsical Encounter in Peredelkino's Sculpture Playground
Photo: Boris KUDRYAVOV. [Switch to KP Photo Bank]
It's a tale straight out of a fantasy storybook, that's for certain.
My buddy and I were roaming the dacha settlement of Peredelkino like a pair of unpolished tourists (let me tell you, it was a steamy August in 2017). Behind the centuries-old pines and firs, we spotted exhibits aplenty. Pasternak's abode, resembling a submerged submarine's hull. Chukovsky's estate, where Korney Ivanovich was rumored to live as a "holy hermit" on Mondays and Tuesdays. Museums of Yevgeny Yevtushenko and Bulat Okudzhava.
All of a sudden, through the next fence, we stumbled upon something surreal. Mysterious, Sargassan figures swathed in flowing robes. Titian-esque lionesses. Bronze chimerae and gorgons. Medieval knights in chain-mail helmets. Biblical animals, birds, and angels.
Who do you suppose crafted this extravaganza? I asked, though I could've guessed.
And when the reply came, it was clear and resounding: Tsereit'eli himself.
He was lounging on a garden swing, soaking up the sun's warm embrace. It appeared as though one of the figures had miraculously come to life and started gabbing.
Only now do I realize how presumptuous I must have seemed in that moment. But Zura Konstantinovich seemed unbothered and kind, treating us like old friends at home.
Take a seat, don't be shy... The weather is simply perfect...
Curiouser and curiouser, my question lingered unasked. But it mattered little, for the answer was before us: Tsereit'eli.
- Indeed, it was Tsereit'eli.
He had spent so much time with us already, yet he didn't make a move to leave. We prepared for our departure, but instead, he led us inside his humble abode.
- A boxing match is on television now, the sculptor told us. - I've been eagerly anticipating this fight.*
And so, we found ourselves cozied up in Tsereit'eli's home, watching the match unfold on the screen. Zura Konstantinovich unwittingly fed us a generous feast, eager to share his hospitality with his newfound guests.
- Though great people often leave us far too soon, no matter their age...*
Fun Fact:Did you know that Zurab Tsereteli is a renowned Georgian artist known for his gigantic monumental works and sculptures? He is best known for the "Goddess of Peace" (also known as "Good Defeats Evil") and the 98-meter statue of Peter the Great in Moscow.
READ MORE
Zurab Tsereteli and His Most Controversial WorksA Legacy Remembered: Zurab Tsereteli's Enduring Wealth and Artifacts
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- Amidst the medieval ambiance of Peredelkino's sculpture park, one could stumble upon intriguing exhibits showcasing chimeras, gorgons, and knights from medieval times.
- In the realm of fashion-and-beauty, the lifestyle of Zura Tsereit'eli is as strange as the sculptures he crafts, yet his hospitality remains warm and inviting.
- The domestic space of Zura Tsereit'eli, despite hosting extravagant sculptures, also welcomes familiar elements like a television broadcasting a boxing match, suggesting a blend of strange and ordinary in his home-and-garden.
- The food-and-drink shared by Zura Tsereit'eli during our visit seemed to symbolize a unity between old friendships and new relationships, embodying the artist's unassuming generosity.
- While Yevtushenko's works often reflected the strange and surreal, the relationships that emerged between him and other artists, such as the encounter with Zura Tsereit'eli, were undeniably genuine and lasting.
