Translated from German. To see the text in language of the original, click here.

Munich

"Nike"

7 year of the edition Okt./November 89

New art in the Europe, No. 30

Pjotr Valius: Inquisition, 1966

Lia Linder

Marginal notes - features of the modern art from Soviet Union

2 exhibitions which are offered with the Soviet art, in the different way reflect stages of acquaintance to it the western spectator.

The ministry of culture in Munich has shown 38 works of 21 artists from a private collection which has arisen within last 10 years. The age group of artists is unwrapped by a wide fan, the oldest was born in 1910, the youngest in 1960. Basically pictures have been collected from following cities: Moscow, Riga, Vilnius and Yerevan. Works - the most different style directions - have been written within last 20 years. Works from this art exhibition - contrary to significant distinctions on quality - make not orthodox, direct impression which denies chronic biases in the West, that also is emphasized in the accompanying booklet: "some years as opinions in the West about art in Soviet Union have strongly changed. It becomes more and more known, that from the middle of 60-s' years the Soviet painting does not consist more only of socialist realism."

Valery Valius, the geophysicist and the artist from Moscow, 12 years lives in the Western Europe. When he has emigrated in 1977, he has brought a part of pictures of the father, in hope, that in the West  pictures will cause interest though 12-years experience could  shake this hope. Pictures  of Pjotr Valius (1912-1971) who has devoted himself since 1947 mainly to painting, show a high art maturity and convincing independence. The themes reveal in metaphorical language of images the vital aspects of existence  expressing , both in abstract, and in the concrete form, an example can be a picture "Inquisition" of 1966. Nevertheless Pjotr Valius's pictures, contrary to sad themes, never leave the spectator absolutely without hope that is especially brightly expressed in the symbolical usage of color.

In the interview given in 1983, Valery Valius speaks about destiny of pictures of the father, "... Maistens, they stand facing a wall.." In it a little that has changed. But the hope for recognition, possibly, will lead to success also in the West .

"Modern Soviet painting" - From the Munich private collection, an exhibition is organized by the Ministry of culture of Munich 17.6.-16.7.89

And Valery Valius, pictures in gallery "Free space" in June / July 1989 and in Club of emigrants in July / August 1989.