The Russians Are Coming!
When
The Three Tomatoes were growing up we never could have imagined that one day we’d be strolling through
Red Square; browsing through high-end fashion boutiques in Moscow; viewing some
of the world’s most incredible art in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg ;and dining
in restaurants that rival any NYC Five Star. After all, our concept of Russian "fashion"
was formed by the famous Wendy’s “swimwear, evening wear” TV spot from the 70ties
and our knowledge of Russian gastronomy was soup made with beets. Well like
The Thee Tomatoes, many of you too have now had the incredible experience of visiting Russia.
At the risk of offending any Moscovites out there, we confess that our favorite
city is St. Petersburg. However, if you’re planning a trip, do not miss Moscow
and consider doing the Volga River Cruise -- an amazing 1,000-mile journey from
Moscow to St. Petersburg with stops along the way in some of the oldest villages
in Russia. Our favorite things when we visited were 1) the people; 2) the vodka
and the food 3) the art.
Well here’s the great news. The Russians are here, in our very own New York
City. There is a sizeable population of young, smart, fun, and hip Russians who
live in New York City. And they hang out at some of the great Russian spots in
midtown, like Russian Samovar (a favorite of Mikhail Baryshnikov); or across the
street at The Russian Vodka Room, a red velvety cocktail lounge which offers a
choice of dozens of homemade infused vodkas and piano music playing in the background.
And then there’s the elegant Caviar Russe, fit for a Czar, which serves Russian
delicacies including caviar, of course. And if you ever get a chance to try Russian
Standard vodka you’ll think every premium vodka you’ve tried before is swill.
Sadly, our favorite Russian vodka, called Flagman, a top seller in Russia, has
not as yet made its way to the U.S. market. But Russian art has! Here are two
upcoming Russian art events you should check out.
Moscow Grafika: 1961-2005 at International Print Center New York, September 13
- October 22, 2005: Moscow Grafika is the first exhibition of prints from the Kolodzei Collection
of Russian and Eastern European Art and the first showing of the graphic work
of many of the artists in the United States. The exhibit includes more than fifty
works by thirty artists in various mediums. The artists range in age from thirty-five
to seventy-five, and include those who began their careers during Khrushchev's
"thaw" of the 1960's and 1970's ; artists who began working in the perestroika
(late 1980's) and the post-perestroika periods; as well as artists who entered
the scene more recently during the post-Soviet years. The exhibition will be on
view in IPCNY's gallery at 526 West 26th Street in Chelsea. For more information
visit
www.ipcny.org.
Russia! Coming to the Guggenheim September 16, 2005–January 11, 2006:
Russia! will be the most comprehensive and spectacular showing of Russian art ever sent
to the United States.
Russia! will feature more than 250 of the greatest masterworks of Russian painting and
sculpture from the twelfth century to the present. Many of the works will be
seen for the first time outside of Russia. For more information visit
www.guggenheim.org.
Nostrovia!
Copyright©2005. The Three Tomatoes. All rights reserved.
