Press conference on the Official Opening of the International Exhibition of Calligraphy

 

Today at 14:00, Saint-Petersburg hosted a press conference on the Official Opening of the International Exhibition of Calligraphy. The Conference was organized by the Baltic Information Agency, offering information support to the Forum.

The Press-Conference was attended by:

• Alexey Shaburov, Project Manager of the International Exhibition of Calligraphy, director of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy;
• Petr Chobitko, Chairman of the Presidium National Union of Calligraphers;
• Valentina Orlova, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the World Club of Petersburgers;
• Nikolay Taranov, Doctor of Education, Candidate of art history, professor, member of Union of Russian artists;
• Chen Wen-Fu, Member of the Chinese scientific union of paired signs, continuator of the great dynasty of Chinese calligraphers;
• Avraham-Hersh Borshevsky, Hebrew scribe and illuminator living and working in Jerusalem, Israel.

 

The authors and participants of the International Exhibition of Calligraphy consider this Event to be a real milestone in the world of art, the “renaissance of the Russian calligraphic school”, offering calligraphy gurus and masters coming from 25 countries to get themselves familiar with a diversity of schools and trends.

Valentina Orlova in her greeting speech confessed that she had had a soft spot for calligraphy from her childhood. She also noted that she, being the President of the Global Club of Petersburgers, is immensely pleased with the fact that the Show is taking place in this beautiful city.

The Organizing Committee states that the core mission of the International Exhibition of Calligraphy is to turn the attention of the general public to the art of calligraphy. Petr Chobitko, Presidium Chairman of the National Union of Calligraphers, distinguished that “there are many languages in the world, but there is only one calligraphy language, which is clear and easy to understand”.

Mr. Chobitko also added, “We do understand, even perceive, what an individual feels through each and every dot, through each and every line or spot”.

In the meantime, Professor Nikolay Taranov, one of the authors who presented his works at the International Calligraphic Exhibition, said, “People who come here are quite amazed at the delicate and quaint ways we can all write”.

During the first half of the first working day, the magnificent Event attracted more than 500 people.

 

Press-conference
 

The Project took a long 9 months to see the light. Within this time span, a special committee was selecting the most interesting of all works. Their total number reached 700 items. Still, only 480 were exhibited in the Saint-Petersburg State Academic Institution on Art, Sculpture and Architecture named after Repin. Alexey Shaburov, Director of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy and Director General of the MVK Holding Company, specified, “We did not want to make a clutter of the superb and elegant 18th-19th-century interiors. We were afraid to overburden them with excessive items and stuff.

He also noted that apart from works and presentations of modern authors, the Exposition did not accept 50 museum pieces kindly offered by the Moscow Historical Museum and the Russian State Archive of the Early Manuscripts as well as by a bundle of private collectors. Nevertheless, the Exhibition turned out to be a lavish, interesting and newsy event. Our visitors were offered ample opportunities to learn more about the art of calligraphy. They were welcomed to master-classes, which were first and foremost targeted at professional artists and calligraphers. Mr. Shaburov offered the following comment, “The entrance to these master-classes is limited. They can accommodate only 100 participants. We have more than 950 people on the waiting lists - they have come from various corners of Russia. We will surely let them know when we have additional entrance and free slots”.

It is important to note that young visitors can attend one of the special master-classes, which we offer.

Next, in the context of the Exhibition, we are going to hold a series of research and development projects to analyze the influence of hand movements on personal development. To this end, we attracted professionals and experts from all over the world as well as several scientists working in the Saint-Petersburg Research and Development Psychoneurological Institute named after V. M. Bekhterev. We believe that calligraphy lessons can make Russian graduates and applicants become more competitive and skilled. In Mr. Chobitko’s view, calligraphy can activate latent individual reserves and stimulate personal development. It is important in these times, when the number of unskilled applicants is growing very quickly. This may lead to a situation when we have no one to teach.

In ancient times they used to say, “Before pursuing an artistic, scientific or any other professional track, you need to learn calligraphy!”

In her turn, Valentina Orlova mentioned that this is the main reason why the current Exhibition is first and foremost targeted at parents who have young children, thus leaving adults overboard. Apart from this, soon enough the International Exhibition of Calligraphy is planning to establish firm contacts with day-care centers and other establishments created to bring up and educate children and the youth.

In particular, we are now negotiating with the Saint-Petersburg Center for Kids’ Creativity and with the managers and administrators of Art Schools named after Nikolay Rerikh.

Press-conference
 

When the Forum is over, its exhibits and showpieces will be transported to Paris and New-York. During the Q & A session, Alexey Shaburov mentioned this fact. Besides, the showpieces for international disposal have already been selected. Alexey Shaburov is now waiting for their authors’ consent to be able to display these unique works in the global arena. If this Exhibition finds international recognition, the current exposition will keep touring around the globe. Besides, it will be organized once every four years in the city of Saint-Petersburg.

“The art of calligraphy is valuable for the city“ said Valentina Orlova at the press-conference, and added “ billboard and advertising panels with calligraphic words and letters are a true pleasure both to see and to read, as against the present-day loud paints and light-minded signs that we all have to see daily”.

She thinks that the elegancy, the style and the Saint-Petersburg touch that were smartly realized at the Exhibition can find turbulent practical demand.

The organizers report a growing interest in the Project on behalf of pen makers, and producers of writing utensils and accessories. Today they are willing to display their products at the Show in the future.

The Closing Ceremony, which will take place on September 22nd, will announce the long-term perspectives and plans of the organizers of this truly genuine International Exhibition.