Vasily Konovalenkorsquo;s unique; dynamic; and theatrical sculptures stand alone in the gem-carving worldmdash;bawdy but not salacious; political but not diplomatic; boisterous and exuberant yet occasionally sensitive. Stories in Stone offers the first comprehensive treatment of the life of this little-known Russian artist and the remarkable history of his wonderful sculptures. Part art catalogue and part life history; Stories in Stone tells the tale of Konovalenkorsquo;s impressive works; explaining their conception; creation; and symbolism. Each handcrafted figure depicts a scene from life in the Soviet Unionmdash;a bowman hunting snow geese; a woman reposing in a hot spring surrounded by ice; peasants spinning wool; a pair of gulag prisoners sawing lumbermdash;painstakingly rendered in precious stones and metals. The materials used to make the figurines are worth millions of dollars; but as cultural artifacts; the sculptures are priceless. Author Stephen Nash draws upon oral history and archival research to detail the life of their creator; revealing a rags-to-riches and life-imitates-art narrative full of Cold War intrigue; Communist persecution; and capitalist exploitation. Augmented by Richard M. Wickerrsquo;s exquisite and revelatory photographs of sixty-five Konovalenko sculptures from museums; state agencies; and private collections around the world; Stories in Stone is a visually stunning glimpse into a unique corner of Russian art and cultural history; the craft and science of gem carving; and the life of a Russian artist and immigrant who loved people everywhere. Co-published with the Denver Museum of Nature Science; home to the most significant collection of Russian gem-carving sculptures by Vasily Konovalenko in the world.
#2765202 in eBooks 2016-07-05 2016-07-05File Name: B01FW5J742
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Im disappointed... Its good for what it is. but I anticipated a lot more ...By Doro WMaybe I should have read the cover properly - this book is predominantly about the authors experiences as a mystery shopper. Since shes a stylist. I expected more fashion/style tips. A word search in the book for mystery shopper brings up 81 results! And thats just where she uses the actual term - its really boring. One chapter could have covered it. but she goes on and on. Its a good history/background to the British retail industry - she knows her stuff/has done her homework - but I didnt buy it for that. And the teaser questions in the publishers review - such scanty answers. I dont even know why they selected those topics.
