Believing that the resurrection and proliferation of fresco art to be his true mission in life, iLia Anossov established The Fresco School in 1997. He says, 'the complex information bank and technological achievements of our age tempt and often force us to take a 'short cut' in visual arts education.' Consequently, although fresco is the most widely practiced art technique of all the ages since the beginning of human history, this endangered art form is not generally taught in mainstream universities or art schools and is often referred to as a lost or dying art.
The Fresco School is designed to be accessible for anyone, both from beginners and children to professional artists. The program has attracted art educators and interested non-professionals from around the globe. The only year round school of it's kind in the world, The Fresco School focuses the curriculum on an array of classes of the buon (true) fresco techniques of classic artists such as Michelangelo, Rafael and Diego Rivera. The Fresco School's workshops and classes range from introductory to advanced, to private tutorials, fresco restoration and mural painting seminars as well as the unique opportunity to learn fresco plaster directly from Ian Hardwick.
In 1997, iLia's passion to revive the traditions of this difficult and important art form coupled with his comprehensive knowledge of the field resulted in the establishment of Nationwide Fresco Painting Workshop Program, currently The Fresco School. The idea was received with such overwhelming response from the art community that a traveling workshop was launched. One of the most notable traveling workshops took place in August of 2004 in the sanctuary of a turn of the century Methodist church in downtown Baltimore. A packed classroom (organized with the help of K.J. Wolf - one of iLia's students) consisting of a mix of both novice non-artists and seasoned professionals produced 44 original frescos. Since it's inception, this systematic tutorial on the techniques of fresco painting has been taught in many cities around the US and has achieved international recognition with students enrolling from Canada, England, Japan and even Italy itself. Representatives from around the nation schedule workshops and museums and collectors seek his input on large-scale restoration projects and his expertise in helping them refine their technique.
iLia refers to his art education as 'traditionally non-traditional.' Although he did attend official art schools, he received his true education through a total of three separate classic style apprenticeships, each four years in length, with different masters from Russia and the US. He studied the ancient frescos of Russian churches and ancient Egyptian tombs. iLia perfected his technique and is now one of only a handful of artists in the entire world who can be considered a true master of the art of fresco. Mr. Anossov has joined forces with leading fresco restorer and art conservator Mr. Nathan Zakheim of Nathan Zakheim Associates, an art conservation firm handling major fresco restoration projects in the US and Mexico. Their combined efforts have turned Los Angeles into the world center of contemporary fresco painting.
The most frequent question people ask is, 'Why study fresco?' Fresco teaches the value and responsibility of permanence as well as foundational principles of color and value, something not always easily found in the 21st century. The study of fresco history takes us first from the caves of Neolithic man, crossing continents and cultures. Most of our knowledge of ancient cultures from Mayan temples to buried houses in Pompeii and Chinese palaces comes from frescos. Every era from every civilization preserved knowledge of their culture for future generations through various techniques of fresco painting, erasing distance and boundaries between cultures. Fresco painting is the only thread that can be continuously traced throughout the entire history of painting as the singular form of expression stitching together the universal language of our species - art.
Fresco is not enslaved by anything trendy or temporary. Due to the chemical properties of the process, these ancient works are literally written in the stone that they are painted into, becoming an integral part of the structure and therefore have has passed the test of time. Fresco painting evolves organically from civilization to civilization, era to era and culture to culture. When a civilization peaks, fresco art matures and manifests itself and then eventually declines in conjunction with the civilization. But this timeless tradition always endures the next dark period only to be reborn again and that rebirth is happening again now.
The workshops and classes, which teach students of various levels, are cost accessible and can fit literally into any budget. Prospective students can visit the website FrescoSchool.org and click and configure their own custom fresco program. The studio is housed 10 minutes from LAX in a historic building in Playa del Rey, California, which formally served as the airplane design lab for Howard Hughes. In January 2003, iLia teamed up with the Coppola Brothers Company. This unique contracting firm has always taken an active interest in the art community and offers hard to find specialized fresco art supplies. The traditional fresco materials currently unavailable elsewhere in the US are of the highest quality, and are mostly imported from Italy. The Coppola Brothers Company specializes in the application of authentic Italian plasters and other historic materials from around the world. They are dedicated to application techniques derived from masters who used the materials centuries ago.
Mr. Anossov's TrueFresco Art Network (TrueFresco.org/net/com) is a networking forum to explore the modern possibilities of this ancient medium and is now considered the premier authority on fresco painting information. The site incorporates a virtual gallery of past and current fresco artists and is included by the International council of museum's list of California's virtual museums. Mark Stone, documentary producer and art connoisseur, says, 'While there is a growing number of painters who attempt fresco, iLia stand amidst the very few talents breathing life back into the medium. He has made generous strides in uniting the growing Internet communities who are interested in fresco. His website has become the major forum on the subject.'
Ilia is very active in the art world, and one of his many collaborators, Mr. Petri Hytonen, the Finnish painter and recipient of the Carnegie Art Award says: 'at a time when fresco is represented by only a few artists in the world, iLia is an outstanding one. His extraordinary technique of the buon fresco, remarkable talent and dedication to share his knowledge are the invaluable assets for the culture of any country. His fresco workshop program is the unique contribution to the American art education and the preservation and multiplication of the tradition in the international cultural heritage.'
iLia's contributions to the Art World and Decorative Painting Industry as an artist and educator through his creative work, teaching at The Fresco School, lecturing and facilitating fresco programs and workshops throughout the country and on the Internet have been honored by a Trophy Award for "Excellence in Exceeding all Expectations within Decorative Painting Industry" during 2006 Fauxcademy Awards week at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Nevada.
iLia Anossov has been widely exhibited in museums in Russia, Europe and the US. He has had over 50 solo and group exhibitions. His work and articles appear in countless catalogues, newspapers, and Internet art portals including the LA times. His most recent nationally recognized commissions were for the design and creation of the interior of the 76th Annual Academy Awards (R) Governor's Ball. Over 27,000 square feet were hand painted in Trompe L'Oeil Frescoes for entire interior of the Ball. His work has also been on display for the 50th Emmy awards, the 73rd annual Academy Awards Governors Ball, and for the 9th SAG awards. Other commissions include large-scale murals in private homes as well as public areas such as the Grand Central Market in downtown LA. In 2003, he completed the 'Albuquerque Fresco,' the largest contemporary buon fresco project in the western US since Diego Rivera, which measures 20 x 26 feet.
iLia believes that if every architect could work with a fresco artist, the world would be a vastly more beautiful place. Through his hard work and dedication to his craft, The Fresco School, and workshops and Internet forums, he's leading the way to realizing his dream of a new fresco renaissance.
The Fresco School is being featured at the House of Faux - Featured Schools for October.
