SCULPTURE PARK Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Bulgaria
A
Ognyan Petkov, Family Tree, 2000
SCULPTURE PARK Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Bulgaria
On the cover: Pavel Koichev, Big Seated Woman, 2004
© Cultural Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Bulgaria, 2014 © Orlin Atanasov, 2014, Design and photography Pre-press: ПолиТех ЕООД Print: Дейтапринт ООД
www.culture-mfa.bg
1
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has an outdoor sculpture exhibition of nearly 100 works. The park area around the ministry’s Sofia headquarters features one of the most iconic Bulgarian collections of monumental and park sculpture as well as authentic archaeological monuments (architectural details, fragments of sarcophagi and headstones), representing the sculptural heritage of Bulgarian lands from Antiquity to present days. The contemporary works in the exhibition include several periods, generations, authors and trends, starting from first half of 20th century, but he main accent of collection are masterpieces from second half and beginning of the Millennium. 2
3
Ivan Lazarov (1889–1952) Mother, 1934
“Mother “ by Ivan Lazarov is the earliest work and the emblem of the sculpture park . Ivan Lazarov created “Mother” in 1934 in homage to the late poet Dimcho Debelyanov (fallen at the front in World War I). The monument is a later copy, and the original is located in the courtyard of the Dimcho Debelyanov museum in Koprivshtitsa. On display in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sculpture park is a white stone copy made by the artist in 1939 after being commissioned by the National Museum, which was transferred to the ministry by the National Art Gallery. Another copy of the work, done in 1968, is at the entrance of the Ivan Lazarov house-museum in Sofia. 4
5
Lubomir Dalchev (1902–2002) 1923 Mothers (1976)
As the most developed form of public art in Bulgaria, monumental sculpture reflects most clearly social dynamics and ideological messages made manifest in it in different periods. Particularly valuable in this respect is the bronze sculptural group “1923 Mothers” produced by Lubomir Dalchev in 1973, in the collection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The theme is related to the history social and political clashes and the uprising in 1923, and Dalchev’s approach to this format is generally typical of the period from the beginning of the 1960s and 1970s. 6
7
Dimitar Boykov (1927–2000) The Master of Boyana (1975)
The 1960s and 1970s was the heyday of monumental sculpture in Bulgaria, during which a generation of Bulgarian classics in the field appeared on the scene. Of them, also represented in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs collection are Velichko Minekov, Valentin Starchev, Krum Damyanov, Boris Gondov, Vasil Radoslavov, Ivan Varchev, Galin Malakchiev.
8
Ivan Varchev (1927–2005) XX th Century (1971)
9
Valentin Starchev Moulder (1976) Requiem (1977)
In the courtyard of the Foreign Ministry can be seen, for example, the early works by Velichko Minekov “Interrogation” (1965) and “Walking Figure” from 1961 - the year of his great success at the first National Youth Exhibition, or works that were extremely modern at a time of a formalist approach such as “Moulder” (1976) and “Requiem” (1977) by Valentin Starchev. Tzvetoslav Hristov Family (2003) The symbolism associated with critical social position of the artist, allegorical figures, totems, historical themes are the most significant in the work of these artists to the end of the 70s, against a background of relatively free forms of expression within the framework of realism. 10
/on the background/
Velichko Minekov Orpheus (1987) 11
Ivan Funev (1900-1983) Eve (1987)
In addition to issues of war, freedom, bread and work, many of these artists expressed themselves also in genre themes typical of park sculpture. In this sense, the sculpture collection of the Foreign Ministry also is representative of the prevailing taste in this kind of sculpture. Located in the park is “Sitting Girl” by Lubomir Dalchev (1955).One of the most ardent supporters of the socialist realism of the 1930s and 1940s also has a quite uncharacteristic work. “Eve” by Ivan Funev (1940), a nude female figure with apple in hand, completed in pink concrete, is one of the most interesting exhibits at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ outdoor museum, which not only complements and enriches our understanding of the thematic and stylistic range of the artist, but also of the whole period
Ljubomir Dalchev (1927–2005) Sitting Girl (1955) 12
13
Vasska Emanouilova (1905-1985) Toilette (1961)
Along with the historical overview of the combination of monumental and park sculptures, the early and late works of most artists offer a valuable retrospective review of their art. In the park are located works in the genre of park sculpture by Vaska Emanouilova and Nikolay Shmirgela 14
Nikolay Shmirgela (1927–2005) Worship (1981)
15
Zeatin Nouriev Composition (1988)
16
Pavel Koichev Torso (1987)
Emil Popov Bull (2003)
Valentin Starchev Idols (2004)
A significant part of the collection is taken up by thematic shapes and compositions of the 1980s, when the overall picture of Bulgarian art was much more colourful than in previous decades. Among these are the sculptures by Pavel Koychev, obviously influenced by the works of Henry Moore: “Torso” and “Large Seated Woman”. Collection exhibit also compositions and figures of the generation of the 1980s, who at the time employed in their art the main characteristics of contemporary Bulgarian sculpture - Angel Stanev, Emil Popov, Ivan Roussev, Emil Mirchev, Zeatin Nuriev, Konstantin Denev, Stefan Lyutakov. 17
Ivan Roussev Three Columns (2005)
Allegorical figures, totems, historical themes and tragic events during the XX-th century are the most significant in the works of the artists to the end of the 1970s, against a background of relatively free forms of expression within the framework of realism. Their inherent “plasticism� found various manifestations and followers among young sculptors of the 1990s - Tsvetoslav Hristov, Ilko Nikoltchev, Kamen Tsvetkov, Vassil Vassilev, Emil Bachiyski, Ognyan Petkov, Krassimir Mitov, also represented in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sculpture park.
Bozhidar Kozarev Kiss (1978)
Snezhana Simeonova Tower (1997) /right/
19
Kiril Meskin Solar Throne (2000)
20
Antonia Angelova Ruchenitsa (2004)
Konstantin Denev Column (2001)
The chronology of the collection ends in 2005, the same year that the sculpture park was opened. The selection offers a very interesting transition from realistic polychrome monumental volumes to spatial experiments of the early 21st century, installation shapes, minimalist compositions, abstract ideas with a wide range of materials , themes and handwriting in the work of Kamen Starchev, Vassil Vassilev, Simeon Simeonov, Nikolai Kolyazov, Pavlin Radevski, Georgi Minchev, Stoyan Detchev, Antonia Angelova, Ognyan Chitakov, Rasho Mitev, Ognyan Petkov, Orlin Ivanov, Theodora Draganova and others. Among them there is a mosaic of classic contemporary artwork by Dimitar Kirov - “Orpheus� (2004), and the works by foreign artists who participated in the International Sculpture Symposium in Ilindentsi, after which the works were donated to the MFA.
Nikolay Kolyazov 24 Columns (2001)
21
Dobromir Georgiev Column (1984)
The Sculpture Park at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was founded in 2005 at the initiative of the then-Foreign Minister, Solomon Passy, and with the support of Belgian collector and patron of Bulgarian art, Hugo Voeten . The expanse of his estate in the city of Geel, Belgium, is the largest museum of Bulgarian sculpture in the world. The large-scale representation of the Bulgarian art from the collection of Hugo Voeten, was complemented by the 2012 opening in the city of Herentals, of the Art Centre Hugo Voeten,� in which the work of Bulgarian artists are shown in unusual juxtapositions to Belgian artists of the 20th century, representatives of Western European modernism and the best-known names in the contemporary international scene. 22
Ognyan Chitakov Cactus (2005)
Svilen Kostadinov Silence (2003)
Kamen Tsvetkov Portraits (2005) 23
Kroum Damyanov Vow (2005)
The exhibition in the sculpture park in the grounds of the Foreign Ministry was arranged by Professor Svetlin Roussev on the basis of the logic of artistic influences and continuity between generations, and in accordnce with the landscape of the open space . The MFA sculpture park has exhibits from the collections of the National Art Gallery, Sofia City Art Gallery and the National Archaeological Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Science. Some of the works were provided by their authors. 24
COURTESY BY THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF BULGARIAN ART 1 Plamen Avramov Seated Figure 2 Milan Andreev Tolstoy 3 Dimitar Boykov The Master of Boyana 4 Ljubomir Dalchev Mothers 5 Alyosha Kafedzhiyski Dawn 6 Ivan Kolev Yoan Koukouzel 7 Ivan Lazarov Mother 8 Velichko Minekov Awaiting 9 Ivan Neshev Youth 10 Zeatin Nouriev Composition 11 Emil Popov Two Figures 12 Angel Stanev Figure II 13 Ivan Founev Eva 14 Sergei Yanakiev Nude Figure COURTESY BY THE SOFIA ART GALLERY 15 Ivan Varchev V. Levski 16 Ivan Varchev XX Century 17 Ivan Varchev Iliya Beshkov 18 Boris Gondov Sofia 19 Alexander Dyakov War 20 Alyosha Kafedzhiyski Torso 21 Bozhidar Kozarev Kiss 22 Pavel Koichev Big Seated Woman 23 Galin Malakchiev Hiroshima 24 Vassil Radoslavov Woman’s Torso 25 Valentin Startchev Requiem 26 Nikolay Shmirgela Affection 27 Nikolay Shmirgela Worship 28 Ljubomir Dalchev Seated Girl 29 Valentin Starchev Founde-man 30 Velichko Minekov Interrogation 31 Velichko Minekov Woman with Bread 32 Velichko Minekov Peasant Woman 33 Velichko Minekov Orpheus 34 Vasska Emanouilova Toilette 35 Vasska Emanouilova Girl with Dove COURTESY BY THE AUTHOR 36 Ognyan Chitakov Tension during Rest 37 Rasho Mitev Even 38 Orlin Ivanov Column 39 Ivan Roussev Five Columns 40 Alyosha Kafedzhiyski Leaning Figure 41 Alyosha Kafedzhiyski Standing Figure 42 Tzvetoslav Hristov Portrait of Hugo Voeten 43 Emil Popov Bull
44 Valentin Starchev 45 Pavel Koichev 46 Emil Mirchev 47 Dimitar Kirov 48 Kiril Mateev 49 Georgi Radoulov 50 Emil Bachiiski 51 Stefan Lyutakov 52 Levana Finkelstein 53 Stefan Lyutakov 54 Antonia Angelova 55 Herbert Dlouhy 56 Kiril Meskin 57 Kiril Meskin 58 Tzvetoslav Hristov 59 Ljubomir Prahov 60 Ljubimir Prahov 61 Ljubomir Prahov 62 Ivan Tomanov 63 Ivan Tomanov 64 Stefan Ljutakov 65 Krassimir Mitov 66 Svilen Kostadinov 67 Dobromir Georgiev 68 Dobromir Georgiev 69 Dobromir Georgiev 70 Kamen Cvetkov 71 Ognyan Petkov 72 Kroum Damyanov 73 Gabriele Berger 74 Kamen Startchev 75 Ognyan Chitakov 76 Ivan Roussev 77 Ilko Nikolchev 78 Pavlin Radevski 79 Milan Andreev 80 Snezhana Simeonova 81 Milan Andreev 82 Boris Gondov 83 Nikolay Kolyazov 84 Teodora Draganova 85 Simeon Simeonov 86 Stoyan Dechev 87 Georgi Minchev 88 Kostadin Denev 89 Antonia Angelova 90 Vassil Vassilev 91 Vladan Martinovich
Idols Torso Toilette Orpheus Muse Girl Kiss Tied-up Animal Friendship Sunset A Slip of a Girl Gera No Title Solar Throne Torso Family Totem Forme Latimeria Intimacy I Intimacy II Suit of Armour Composition Silence Ceramic Flowers Chimneys from Earth New Moon Portrait Family Tree Vow Approach Debris Cactus Three Columns Process Form Idol Tower The Snake and the Rose Woman of Dobrudja 24 Columns Human Form Doe Ford Column Bulgarian Folk Dance Temple of Love Composition
26