Hermes Zygott. Reanimated Icons

December, 2009 - January, 2010

Grosvenor Chapel, London

Curator: Victoria Golembiovskaya and Mariana Haseldine

 

Hermes Zygott’s exhibition Reanimated Icons came to London in a special partnership project with Mayfair’s historic Grosvenor Chapel.


Reanimated Icons was a contemporary Christmas project exploring the work of art as contemporary Icon, exhibited on illuminated light boxes. Zygott’s work is a metaphor for the continuation of humanity’s spiritual journey of self-discovery.


Some time ago Hermes came across an old wooden panel with the remains of an image. He could make out fragments of a figure, the background, and even slight traces of golden halo. Upon closer examination he suddenly realized that—through natural variations in the wood, darker rings and stained patches—the base layer formed an image of its own. It seemed that every element of the icon was sacred—even the wood it was painted on.


Icons depend on the sacredness of their surroundings and how they are honored. The aim of this unique project is to present an ancient Russian cultural tradition within a contemporary context and to invite participants to celebrate Christmas with true Russian spirit.


Hermes Zygott was born on the banks of River Neva in majestically aristocratic St. Petersburg. Brought to maturity in earthquake-ridden California, the artist is a modem age Sphinx, harmonically combining Eastern and Western thought. Zygott’s work marks a turning point between cultures, a search for the roots of light and sound that unite the ethnic origins of the planet.


Part of the money from sales went towards to the upkeep of the Grosvenor Chapel.

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About

 

The RNA Foundation is a cultural platform that aims at promoting established as well as up and coming Russian artists and creative individuals. Founded by Victoria Golembiovskaya, the RNA utilizes its wide reaching connections to provide support and exposure to artists, facilitating their relations with curators, dealers and critics. With experience in art management and curating Golembiovskaya established RNA in order to contribute to the Russian art education system, diversifying its narrow scope and implementing a wider, international engagement.

 

By providing space and means for artists to develop their practice, our goal is to establish a constantly expanding and developing network, where the Russian contemporary art scene can be introduced to a wider art market, galleries and institutions across the globe. To do so, an exploration of new ideas is needed, as well as an active expanding of boundaries of the media available. This progressive outlook allows us to bring out the collaborative potential of not only museums and galleries we work with, but also of other foundations, auction houses and art institutions.

 

One aspect of our future projects is to establish a series of workshop spaces that will provide an interdisciplinary environment for Russian artists from all backgrounds and with varying degree of experience. Serving as a meeting point and an exchange ground for cultural capital, these work and gallery spaces would also function as lecture theatres for educational purposes and public events. We also plan to create residencies between Russian and international artists, where we hope to instigate a much needed cross-fertilization and collaboration.

 

However in order to realize such varied projects, we often need financial support whether from an individual, patron, trust or company. Philanthropy and charity are important factors in realizing any cultural project and we would be happy to work with you, directing the need of social engagement and cultural support through RNA’s activities.

 

Active since 2008, RNA Foundation is an exciting, passionate organization that has exhibited and curated around the world, devoting our focus on international artistic progression.

Art Advisory

 

Before launching the RNA Foundation in 2008, Victoria Golembiovskaya worked as a film producer and artistic director, gaining a vast experience in art management and further expanding her knowledge of history of art, which has graned the RNA foundation an original place and point of view within the international art community.


Our service is second to none; we provide consultations for the establishment and maintenance of private collections, as well as for large-scale curatorial projects. We have the contacts and resources to get a hold of rare works from all over the world for both private and public clients. In the last three years alone the RNA Foundation has produced shows in London, Moscow and Venice, handling valuable works in unprecedented environments, with a priority in presenting them in unique yet elegant manner. While maintaining a high standard and a rigorous vision we tailor our services to the client.


As a consultant, we go further than most agencies, providing legal advice for sales, organizing transportation of art works, and of course taking care of the acquisition process, operating on a strictly confidential basis.

CONTACTS

 

Katerina Tesa
+7 926 2497367
kate@rnafoundation.com