Sound of the Sun

June 2 - August 2, 1998

Sound of the Sun presents the work of seven artists from Bloomington-Normal’s sister city of Vladimir, Russia: Sergei Skuratov, Olga Gollman, Yuri Lebedenko, Alexei Veselkin, Leonid Kosinstev, Yuri Negodaev, and Raisa Vartsava.

Vladimir, Russia has a long and complex history. Established one thousand years ago, Vladimir predates Moscow and was an early capital of Russia. The Vladimir region also referred to as “The Golden Ring,” is known for its ancient cathedrals and was once a center of Russian Orthodox Icon painting. Icons are still restored and created within the city. The city is home to many artists. Some teach in the art schools while others, trained in traditional methods, make a living selling their work. Vladimir is also home to several of Russia’s most revered choirs, a world-class gymnastics school, and two universities.

With a population of approximately 400,000, Vladimir is a major industrial area, producing everything from tractors, to military hardware to textiles. Most people live in large apartment buildings erected during the Soviet period and use the trolley for transportation. Moscow is only 130 miles away and St. Petersburg can be reached while sleeping on the night train from Vladimir.