It seemed to me that such positive heroes, like Vasily, are boring guys, but I was mistaken. In general, a rare case when an interviewable, sitting in front of you and talking, draws, and not funny face or some nonsense, but straight psychedelic abrasions, the creation of which to some extent even distracts from the conversation. But this is exactly what is called atmosphere. It is a pity that these arts after our watch communication flew to the basket and cannot be applied to the interview. But it seemed to me: what would Vasily drew, he always got a spouse profile sitting in the next room. Although perhaps it is only my fantasy.
Vasily, from the side the feeling that your famous grandfather, Zurab Konstantinovich, is the person who fully struduered your life. Is it so?
Vasily: "Well, with my grandfather I actually grew up. It was he who brought up me from quite an early age. It so happened that I lived with Him with my grandmother, because my mother defended a diploma, then she was busy with my younger brother, and his sister ... Zurab belonged to me as a son, gave a lot. I went with him all the time at workshop, plants, international meetings, on which I worked as a translator ... The grandfather constantly motivated me to draw, and I went to the preparatory courses in Tbilisi to enroll in the Academy of Arts. And what is characteristic, he always treated me as an adult person. And grandmother, hereditary princess, instilled the basics of proper behavior, the ability to behave in society, politeness, respect for the elders. Thanks to Zurab, I found myself in adolescence at the UN school, where they studied mainly by the children of diplomats, embassy staff. He simply installed the sculpture there, I, as usual, translated - and paid attention to me. In Tbilisi, at that time, it was extremely restless. "
Character you with grandfather similar?
Vasily: "It's hard to say. Zurab is incredibly hardworking. Sleeps little, morning starts from the barbell and immediately for work. And always dwells in a good mood. His grandmother perfectly complements: she loves guests, always covers incredible tables ... They gladly help others. Such people with an open soul. I learned to them this everything. Especially love and all over. I am amazed like a grandfather immediately forgets evil, he caused. He marks the negative and begins every day with a sunny, pure sheet. I am sure that this is his happiness. "
Vasily and Father, Revaz Maharadze, and Brother Zurab Tsereteli Maharadze. Photo: Personal archive of Vasily Tsereteli.
The Zurabe Tsereteli has always been ambiguous attitude. Many criticism in his address sounded. He was accused of lack of taste, in Giantia ... how did he react to such things?
Vasily: "He follows his own way, and in Russia traditionally do not like successful people. Unfortunately, they are starting to envy and insert sticks into the wheels. Appreciate and extol talented writers, actors, directors, artists start only after death. Zurab is a unique sculptor monumentalist, so depending on the space, he embodies his ideas. He has both big creations and small. As well as painting, graphics, plus many other formats - from ceramics, mosaic to enamel. Even jewelry are available. Fortunately, the artist is the person who has the opportunity to work with different materials and in a different direction. "
Zurab Konstantinovich met with such masters like Salvador Dali, Mark Chagall, Pablo Picasso ... He talked about them?
Vasily: "My grandmother aunt lived in France, and in 1964 she invited her with her husband to Paris, visit. But permission to go only to Zurab. Of course, he plunged into the local life, and this atmosphere had greatly influenced him. This turning point can be clearly traced in its works of 1968. Of course, he was in the absolute delight of Picasso. Chagall wrote an enthusiastic response to the work of the grandfather. And he met him later, in New York, and remembered their conversation when Dali complained that critics and press stopped to scold him. Zurab first did not even understand what he meant in mind, because in the era of Soviet power like, on the contrary, would speak of recognition. But here he collided with the fact that PR, advertising any kind of bad there is no bad. "
Have you had such significant meetings?
Vasily: "Again, thanks to the grandfather, I met Patriarch Alexyia, Joseph Davydovich Kobzon, Andrey Dmitrievich Dementiev, Boris Asafovich Messerer, Clea Clinton ..."
Until fourteen years you were a resident of Tbilisi. What did this city remember?
Vasily: "Basically, the Tbilisi color is remembered, especially Tbilisoba (City Day), which was noted in a special vivid and festive. But it was a special pleasure to go on the summer holidays in Abkhazia. Lake Rice, Caves with stalactites and stalagmites ... ".
Large Georgian family (in the picture - from left to right): Revaz Maharadze, Vasily Tsereteli, Zurab Tsereteli with his wife Inrance Andronikashvili, Elena Tsereteli (Mama Vasily), Brother Zurab Tsereteli Maharadze. Photo: Personal archive of Vasily Tsereteli.
Traditions of the hospitable Georgian house you brought Moscow?
Vasily: "The grandfather still has an open house where guests are offered by Georgian dishes. We have no such wife. In principle, we usually eat somewhere in the restaurant. I am extremely rare, on the occasion, I can fry the kebab. And at home we have a big farm. Still, five children, three dogs - two pugs, Bentley and Bitle, and the Yorkshire Terrier Rover, many workers' workers - no time. " (Smiles.)
So are you a doggyman?
Vasily: "I grew up among big dogs, Caucasian Shepherd. We had them nine, then fourteen. "
As far as I know, you have three sons and daughter, right?
Vasily: "Yes, but my nephew also lives with us. As for children, they have a small difference in age, Alexander - eleven years old, Nikolai - nine, Philip - seven, the empire - four years. "
Are you an authoritative father?
Vasily: "What do you mean? Normal. My kids, I am a friend, no one is afraid of me, we have trusting communication. I look with great pleasure, as sometimes in the evenings, they with mom include punk rock and dance all together. True, I do not make a company, admire from the side. " (Smiles.)
Anyway, it seems to me, you are strict. Surely on travels first do not go to shopping, but the sights to watch. I'm mistaken?
Vasily: "No. Even if I somewhere in a short trip, I will definitely go to the museum. Or I go to the flea market, where we don't buy more often, but I photograph, trying to keep the aura of this place. "
And what does your understanding mean the upbringing of feelings, taste?
Vasilya: "Children must see everything, acquire skills, like the knowledge of four languages - Spanish, English, French, Russian, as in our case, and then let them make the way for themselves."
Wait, what about the Georgian language?
Vasily: "At home we speak mainly in English, less often in Russian. That's when the guys are growing, they will ride in Georgia, then the Georgian will learn. "
With Nikita Mikhalkov and director of the Italian Cultural Center in Moscow, Olga Strada. Photo: Personal archive of Vasily Tsereteli.
Have you originally seen yourself with a large father?
Vasily: "In general, I wanted classically two children, but it came out more, and I am happy. (Smiles.) Children are beautiful. I regret only that there is not enough time to communicate with them. I implies that they are not indifferent to sports - this is the merit of my wife, in the past titled gymnasts. The guys are passionate about modern dancing, karate, football. Naturally, they also like to draw. Alexandra, let's say, pulls to some architectural forms, Nikolai is clearly distinguished by the mathematical warehouse of the mind. But I suppose, in the future it will all be a matter of development. Children themselves should choose their profession, I do not want to artificially direct them into a certain direction. Personally, I decided to become an artist only in the graduation class. Prior to that I drew into my pleasure. In addition, she went on Karate, in the theater circle, with Azart photographed, showed pictures ... In the creative environment, grew, in one word, and the choice was not easy. "
You studied in America at the prestigious University of Parson School Of Design, and then graduated from School Of Visual Art. Children will also recommend foreign universities?
Vasily: "Very optional. We have a wonderful education. Sons go to Moscow school, and what will happen next - see. Just my biography so happened that I studied abroad. In both of my universities there were interesting programs, but the first I did not graduate, because I switched to where it was more deployed what I needed. I was bribed there a solid approach, the ability to try everything and choose what closer. I mastered the stone, wood, print, etchings, engravings, advertising photography, film organics, art history, French literature, museum management. The whole palette was laid out in front of me, with any one could implement ideas. I also enjoyed the museums, exhibitions, gallery and wrote the specified reports, such visual analyzes every week. The artist must necessarily develop its own ethical look. I was among those students who specifically tried to earn a large number of points to make it easier to get a diploma and finish with honors. In Moscow, heading the museum, I once understood that it makes sense to continue learning, and went to receive EMBA degree in the Moscow School of Management in Skolkov. EMBA is important to receive in that country where you are going to live and work. "
Is it true that you prefer art house and oriental film directors?
Vasily: "No, I don't mind seeing the exciting products of Hollywood and European Matters. But, of course, I really liked the sensational paintings of domestic directors, like "Leviafan" Andrei Zvyagintseva or "Four" Ilya Hrzhanovsky. "
With the director, director of Multimedia Art Museum Olga Sviblova. Photo: Personal archive of Vasily Tsereteli.
His wife, Spaniard Kiru Sakarelo, you met in seventeen years old, she engaged in English with your younger brother. It turns out, married your first love?
Vasily: "Probably yes. (Smiles.) We have been married since 2001, and together for twenty years. Walked in the temple built by the grandfather on the Poklonnaya Mount ... You know, the nationality does not at all. In life, after all, you just choose a person with whom you want to be together, and do not look at the details. Kira is such a bright flash! She had a stunning mother, an Englishman and a teacher of English, and Dad is a Spaniard, the captain of the navy. It is clear that on my family she initially impressed ... She speaks six languages, diplomas has more than I, not to mention energy. She graduated from the Faculty of Economics of Madrid University, then he studied at the university in New York, then graduated from the design school, there, in America, organized his company, was a successful fashion designer, she owned two clothes in large shopping centers, participated in weeks Fashion, later, like me, went to learn in Skolkovo ... Another thing is that with the advent of the second and third child Kira at his own request focused on the family. Now, first of all, she is mom and wife, but also, of course, my friend and assistant, Head of the Development Department of our Museum. Her experience, knowledge, ability is incredibly valuable here. The spouse supports me in administrative affairs and inspires me to the creativity, who, alas, has to be able to take a little less time. "
Twenty years you are together, this is a whole story. Do you know a successful recipe for a long union?
Vasily: "Love each other, respect, understand, talk, all problems solve together. I will not say anything surprising. Those pairs that do not want to overcome inevitable difficulties together are diverged.
You were the Commissioner of the Russian Pavilion at the Venetian Biennale, initiated the project from which the Art Center "Winery" began, came up with conceptual video stators, arrange exhibitions, update the expositions in their museum ... What are you now on the agenda?
Vasily: "In all my trips, I do not part with the camera, I rented, I add everything to the hard disk, and all the pictures are waiting for your hour. There is no time to consider and edit. Painting, I also scored, left only a drawing. I can sketch something at your leisure ... Still, my main brainchild is a museum that I live. Recently, we have opened the exposition "Museum with predictions", which tells about the fifteen-year-old His history, about collections. We make more than sixty exhibitions per year. Plus add educational programs for children for adults. And in the future I dream of a new, equipped with the latest technology building for the museum. "
With the nephew Heim Escribiano, Grandfather Zurak Tsereteli, Women Kira, Children: Nicky, Alexander, Empire and Philip (in the picture - from left to right). Photo: Personal archive of Vasily Tsereteli.
Most of those who are tasty for traditional art, reject modern forms, considering all this with meaningless outrageous, frills ... You believe, these people do not know how to read the visual language, do they need to develop the taste on the venice goods?
Vasily: "Definitely need to be able to see. But for this it is worth an effort, and people are so arranged: it is difficult for them to recognize that somewhere they are not informed enough. Therefore, it is easier for them to navigate for some kind of presentation of a school sample and immediately reject the incomprehensible, unusual than paying proper attention to him. Take complex Dutch still lifes. It is necessary to recognize them like a crossword, is a great science. Why on canvas Those or other fruits that they denote ... and icons?! If you do not know what kind of saints are, what a plot is shown on the canvas, it is impossible to understand it. This is a matter of education. The avant-garde for a hundred years, "Black Square" Malevich became a brand, and there are people who still actively deny him. It's great that modern art is diverse: there is both realism and abstractionism - and you can get closer to these interesting spheres. "
You are not bad, you need to teach ...
Vasily: "I do not like to speak to the public. Worried. Apparently, I'm afraid of the audience. Probably, I am not quite the right Georgian - I do not know how to sing, to toast to speak too. At the table quietly sitting. " (Smiles.)
But you are a public figure and honorary member of all sorts of advice and the jury. Do you like such a rich life?
Vasily: "I have a crazy schedule, but if you are offered to participate in the project, where I really can benefit, never refuse."
Previously, in your free time you swam, were fond of horseback sports, big tennis, mountain skiing ...
Vasily: "All confused. (Smiles.) This in Tbilisi I went on the racetrack, later regularly climbed into the mountains, visited the court, and now I left the big sport and plunged into art. "