|
|
Àëüáîì «Ïëàêåòû è ìåäàëè» I began to work at medals in 1974 while studying at the Moscow State University of Art (named after Stroganov) at the branch of artistic processing of metals. At that time I made several term projects on the following topics: «The 200 years' anniversary of the Bolshoy Theatre», «The Demonstration in 1905», «The portrait of artist S.Gerasimov», «The Civil War Songs», «The portrait of artist D.Hasahanov», «Let's go to build with us». In 1977 I did my graduation work called «The 1917's». There were five plaques casted in aluminium. In 1975 The Second National Medal Exhibition took place in Moscow. Medal art have begun to develop. Therefore over 500 medalists of USSR took part in the exhibition. My medal «The Demonstration in 1905» was chosen from the University's museum by the Exhibition Committee. My teacher on composition (A. Sarzhant) told me about it with pleasure. By the way his work was also recommended to be taken to the exhibition. While studying at the University I participated in such exhibitions as The National Medal Exhibition, The Autumn's Exhibition of the Moscow Artists' Union, The Russian Exhibition. There were the first steps of my artistic biography. I've made several sketches for my graduation project («The 1917's»). But then I chose only five of them to be the basis of the plaque series. I perceived the Revolution as some «explosion». I mean the action changing every permanent thing. It is similar to ice drifting after the winter silence. The composition of the plaque series «The 1917's» consists of the cold flat surfaces contrasting with the layers of brisk modeling. I casted those plaques in aluminium, struck the types, polished the surfaces, made scratch-brushing and oxidation (tinting) of it. I casted those plaques in bronze for myself later. Before medal modeling an artist has to imagine some «sign» or «key» by means of sketching on paper. The «sign» should be understandable for the observer at first sight. The “sign” should attract attention and interest; induce the spectator to continue realizing the author's idea. I came to medal art through drawing. On having come to Cherepovets I began to cast my medals and plaques at the Cherepovets Metallurgical Plant. The basic technology in the Section Foundry was flask casting with soil. That's why the delicate reliefs' casting have turned out to be coarse and I had to model medals with more generalized forms and further finish it by striking, polishing and scratch-brushing. In such a way of metal working aluminium is the most suitable material. Therefore I've often used it in my work. In 1980 I became a member of the USSR Artists' Union. Since that time I've made about 100 medals and plaques, many of which have been bought by museums and private collectors in Russia and abroad. A.M. Shebunin
|
