"The University is its personalities, events, and discoveries". Tatiana Laska speaks about the projects timed to the anniversary of St Petersburg University
As part of the preparations for the celebration of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University, a design competition for a sculptural bust of Lyudmila Verbitskaya has been organised. The curator of the competition is Tatiana Laska, Associate Professor in the Department of Fine Arts at St Petersburg University. She spoke about: her expectations in regard to the works of the participants; and other art projects timed to the anniversary.
Why was a bust chosen as a format for the monument, and not, for example, a portrait or a full length statue?
The competition runs from 1 February to 30 May 2023.
The bust is more intimate. It will organically fit into the historical interiors of the University. Moreover, the University already has a pictorial portrait of Lyudmila Verbitskaya. And a full length statue needs enough space, because such a sculpture requires a special scale of both rendering and perception.
In the context of our task, a classic bust is a portrait in sculpture. It is a form that deeply and fully reflects the character. It fits well into the interior decoration of almost any style.
Both students of art programmes and art professionals will be able to take part in the competition. Will there be a certain "imbalance" among the participants?
Often, young artists offer non-standard and worthy creative ideas, and perform them cleverly and professionally. I do not therefore think that it is necessary to emphasise this contrast of ages and generations. The project of a young author can turn out to be bright and convincing. In addition, young sculptors can act as part of a group of authors under the guidance of experienced mentors. It can be an important step in their professional development.
In a work of art, the creative idea and its implementation are inextricably linked, with both components being equally important. There cannot be a poorly implemented idea; it simply will not be read. It is also difficult to give an example of a well implemented work that does not carry any meaning.
By which criteria will the jury evaluate the works?
The main criteria for evaluating a sculpture is the depth of rendering the nature of the individual portrayed. Such characteristics as the originality of the creative idea, independence of the artistic solution, and expressiveness are also important. And of course, the portrait quality of the work, the beauty and level of its material implementation will be evaluated.
The material is not specified in the terms of the competition, so we expect different solutions from the participants. An important criterion will be the compliance of the proposed materials with the image of Lyudmila Verbitskaya. Stylistically, a sculptural bust should become an organic element of the historical interiors of the University.
The jury will consist of major artists, sculptors, and architects from St Petersburg University and other organisations.
Do you expect to see classical busts or more modern versions among the projects?
In my opinion, we still need to focus on classical solutions. The monument must retain its historical and artistic value and relevance in future. It should not be "tied" to any particular period. From my point of view, the project should be based on traditional forms. Additionally, the very architecture of the University buildings and their interiors suggests that the style of the bust should comply with the prevailing historical environment.
Could you please tell us about other art projects that are being implemented for the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University?
We are currently working on two architectural and artistic projects, a walk of our Nobel laureates and a portrait gallery of St Petersburg University rectors.
The whole world knows the names of our compatriots, Nobel Prize winners who studied and worked at or collaborated with St Petersburg University. These include: Ivan Pavlov; Ilya Mechnikov; Nikolay Semyonov; Lev Landau; Alexander Prokhorov; Wassily Leontief; Leonid Kantorovich; and Joseph Brodsky. The walk of the Nobel laureates will become a monument to these outstanding figures of science and art.
The monument will be a single composition of medallions, each containing a relief portrait and a text part. The portraits are made in the form of bas-relief profiles in the classic medallion tradition.
The medallions are planned to be placed on the semicircular part of the University railing on the side of the main façade of the Twelve Collegia building, on both sides of the main entrance.
The portrait gallery of the University rectors is an art exhibition consisting of more than 60 pictorial portraits of people who have headed the University for 300 years since its foundation.
The portrait gallery format has been chosen because it is a traditional form for both European and Russian art. Portrait galleries existed as part of the imperial museums, and royal and grand ducal palace collections. Those galleries, as a rule, were ceremonial in style. They were traditionally devoted to the most significant people and the greatest historical events.
The gallery of our rectors will be located on the front staircase of the Twelve Collegia building, next to the Assembly Hall, where meetings of the University Academic Council and other grand events are held. The gallery exposition will complete the main staircase and become a rich semantic accent in the interior. The viewer will see almost the entire 300-year history of the University, which is inextricably linked with the history of Russia.
In general, all these projects are needed both for the younger generation of students and for the staff and teachers of the University. They will help to better understand: the history; the role of individuals in the development of the city; Russia as a state; and the University as an important educational and scientific institution. By exploring the projects I have mentioned, people will be able to evaluate the scale and stages of their own path travelled, find their place in life, and continue traditions.
We will all have a unique opportunity to be witnesses and participants in such a high-level event as the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University, the oldest university in Russia. From the moment of its foundation to the present day, the University has been concentrating outstanding personalities, major events, and great discoveries of each era. The projects we are currently working on are therefore very important not only as part of our history, but also as a continuation and development of the University’s traditions in the pursuit of new achievements in science and art in future.