The exhibition of paintings by Alexander Chalovsky “The Architect of the Castle of Beauty” is a dedication to the great dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. This exposition is the second part of the project “Image – Sign – Symbol”. The first part of the project was called “To Freedom! Nureyev’s method ”.
The image of Mikhail Baryshnikov instantly refers us to the symbolic concept of ballet in the broadest sense of the word – from the classical to the modern modernist.
The artist Alexander Chalovsky is inspired by the image of the “dance genius” Mikhail Baryshnikov: genius – “giving birth”, “creating” living and life-giving.
A series of works presented at the exhibition,
as it turns back time, for it brings us back to the images created by the outstanding dancer in the prime of his career. Watching the rise of his artist friend, Joseph Brodsky in 1976 wrote a poem “Mikhail Baryshnikov”, in
which offered an elegant formula: “Classical ballet is a castle of beauty.”
One of the symbols of the 20th century ballet,
Mikhail Baryshnikov is a magnet attracting great creative personalities: Mstislav Rostropovich, Galina Vishnevskaya, Alexander Galich, Joseph Brodsky, Annie Leibovitz, Oscar de la Renta, Julio Iglesias …
Multifaceted personality, Baryshnikov plays in the movies and creates magnificent solo performances. The most recent – “Brodsky / Baryshnikov”,
where he reads the poetry of his close friend.
It is the emotional impact of the artist’s personality and fate that explains the artist Chalovsky’s desire to get in touch with the image of the great dancer.
Mikhail Baryshnikov is a symbol of a creative person who creates the immortal art of Dance.
For the artist Alexander Chalovsky, this project is a challenge.
Challenge your own talent and skill. Whether he managed to adequately and convincingly recreate not only the image of Baryshnikov, but also convey to the audience all the attractive power of the magical and daring genius of the Dance – it is up to the audience to decide.

Natella Voiskunskaya
Art director of the ASTI gallery