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BYZANTINE ICONOGRAPHY TODAY... AN ART OR NOT?

Iconography today, as an art and as a vital approach to our faith, its course throughout the modern world and its perspective, is something that concerns me as a human being serving this art. I would like to point out some things which constitute a personal collection of experiences and knowledge.
The knowledge of tradition as well as of the techniques of the great masters of iconography in the past, constitute for me the basis and the motive to further personal progress. In the beginning of our century, the return to Byzantine art was of great interest. Today our feelings are those of indifference and apathy. I should say that contemporary Byzantine art is at risk of losing its admirers not only among educated artists but also among people of the church.

Mr. iLia Anossov is one of the very few artists in the world who can be considered masters of the art of fresco painting. Among his most important works is the recently completed and the largest contemporary buon (true) fresco project in the Western United States since Diego Rivera and the WPA, measuring 20x26 feet. His creation of the 'Albuquerque Fresco' has become the subject of a documentary film by Amy Bowers about the process and technique of fresco painting. His knowledge of the techniques of this most difficult, important, yet endangered art form is sought out by his contemporaries at great art institutes and museums. Museums and collectors have sought his input on large-scale restoration projects and his expertise in helping them refine their technique. Mr. Anossov has responded to all inquiries with great generosity, believing the resurrection and proliferation of fresco art to be his true mission in life.

"Discover the Art of Decorative Painting"

What is decorative painting? Is it limited to the dated look of sponged and rag rolled walls? You may be surprised to learn faux finishing has been around for centuries. In ancient Egypt, for example, artists painted the walls of tombs and sarcophagi with their limited palette of primary pigments. The Greeks also utilized decorative finishing, mostly in their temples, by painting frescos featuring faux architectural elements, marbleizing, and grisaille to name a few. During the middle ages decorative artistry consisted mainly of religious icons and scenes, in the churches and castles of that time. It was first used extensively, however, in the 17th century adorning the palaces of Europe.

There are two types of artists, those who seek to understand and those who seek to be understood. David Lay falls into the first category. In his work, he shares with us, what he sees on this quest for understanding. It is, however, a never ending journey, there is no destination. There are always, fresh bye-ways to explore. Travel with him for a while.

Getting Larry Newton to talk about his art is easy. Finding a good time for the discussion is the hard part. This summer Saturday we’re in the studio, and it’s hot inside. Newton apologizes for the inconvenience. "The building air is only turned on for the work week. I’m only in the darkroom on weekends," he explains. "As much as I commit myself to fine-art photography, it’s not a living by itself …yet. Like so many artists, I have a day job."
He doesn’t expect that to change soon. But, if recent awards are any indication, he looks forward to some little bit of fame (if not fortune) before he dies. The studio, as he calls it, is made up of three rooms in a second-floor corner of a warehouse in the industrial end of Long Beach, California. It consists of a darkroom, studio space, and storage.
Today he is fortifying the cracks around the door to the darkroom with opaque weather-stripping. "I think this old building has shifted," he said, "so I need more of this to block the light." He further explains that the warehouse space, with its solid walls, floors and ceilings, is much easier to make light-proof than when he was using his apartment living space for the same work. "There are no windows here," he continues, "thank God."

'In the future everybody will be world famous for 15 minutes.' Andy Warhol

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