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Brian Rutenberg

Brian Rutenberg in his New York City studio.

Brian Rutenberg was born in South Carolina in 1965. Currently living and working in New York City, this nature-based abstract painter became a Forum Gallery artist in 2001. A graduate of the College of Charleston, South Carolina, Brian Rutenberg participated in his first group exhibition in 1985 and moved to New York shortly thereafter. He received a Master of Arts degree from New York’s acclaimed School of Visual Arts. As a young and ambitious painter, he sought to capture a unique representation of the landscape through abstraction. The base of his interest stems from growing up between Pawley’s Island and Charleston, where the river and lake merge with ocean. These early childhood memories continue to be a presence in his painting.

In 1997, Brian received a Fulbright Scholarship which afforded him an opportunity to spend seven months in Ireland. It is from his travels there that the artist’s work became shaped by the Celtic Culture, specifically the La Tene Period, 600-400 BC. Captivated by arabesques of pure abstraction, so powerful in the artwork of this period, Brian began to use a similar merging of forms in his work. Large circular shapes of color transformed his canvases into 2 dimensional dioramas for the viewer; each swirl bringing us closer to the center of the drama on the picture plane.

Inspired by artists like Gregory Amenoff, Joan Mitchell and Hans Hofmann, Brian Rutenberg executes paintings that embrace spirituality, love of color, and a passion for paint. Although nature continues to be the major theme in his paintings, each of his works shows a brand new approach and vision.

Brian Rutenberg has had over two hundred exhibitions throughout the United States. Radius Books published a full color monograph in 2008 and in 2016 Permanent Green published Clear Seeing Place , a companion to the artist’s popular YouTube series, Brian Rutenberg Studio Visits . Rutenberg’s best-selling monograph, A Little Long Time , was published in 2020 concurrently with a solo exhibition at Forum Gallery in New York. Rutenberg’s most recent solo exhibition at Forum Gallery was in March 2022. The work of Brian Rutenberg is included in the collections of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AR), Bronx Museum of Art (NY), Butler Institute of American Art (Youngstown, OK), Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum (Myrtle Beach, SC), Mint Museum of Art (Charlotte, NC), Peabody Essex Museum (Salem, MA), South Carolina State Museum (Columbia, SC), Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, CT), and many others. 

Brian Rutenberg is represented by Forum Gallery.

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Southern landscape painter tackles new challenge: the desert.

The studio of Brian Rutenberg ’87, in Long Island City in Queens, N.Y.

Brian Rutenberg ‘87 is a self-described Southern landscape painter. For one of his latest works of art, however, he tackled an environment quite foreign to Dixie: the desert.

Brian Rutenberg’s “Point of Pine 2”.

Rutenberg was commissioned in 2015 to paint four large canvasses for the Tempe, Ariz.-based headquarters of DriveTime , a nationwide used auto dealer. After analyzing blueprints of the airy office building, and noting its extensive use of stone, concrete and glass, Rutenberg embarked on a mission “to bring the desert indoors.”

Five months and many paint tubes later, Rutenberg completed the canvases just three days shy of his 50 th birthday. But that was only half the work: the abstract landscape paintings then needed to be shipped across the country in a climate-controlled vehicle from Rutenberg’s studio in New York. And because two of the paintings measure 20 feet by 6 feet and two others measure 9 feet by 10 feet, that climate-controlled vehicle needed to be a semi truck.

The large size of the paintings posed some logistical problems before Rutenberg even began painting. Normally, Rutenberg works from a studio on 27 th Street in Manhattan. But the size of these canvases necessitated he obtain a second, “airplane hangar-like” studio in Long Island City in Queens, N.Y., with 18-foot-tall ceilings, said the artist.

The installation of “Southlight” at the Arizona headquarters of DriveTime.

For inspiration and guidance, Rutenberg said he studied everything from French and American cabinetry, grandfather clocks, the paintings of Hans Memling and the photography of Diane Arbus. These influences helped him understand how to make the tall, skinny panels he was painting appear wider. That’s not always easy to do when “all we have is four sides of a rectangle with a flat surface,” said Rutenberg.

In the case of Memling, Rutenberg appropriated the German-born artist’s technique of using diagonals and stacked forms to suggest depth, volume, and “the promise of something about to happen.” In the case of Arbus, Rutenberg consulted her famous photograph “A Jewish giant at home with his parents, in the Bronx, N.Y., 1970,” in order to “intensify the orientation in which (the viewers) experience the real landscape.” As for the cabinetry and grandfather clocks, Rutenberg said they “helped me play with shifting volume in a tall canvas.”

Rutenberg witnessed the installation of the paintings in Tempe in November 2015. He deemed the project “one of the most exciting of my career,” and was elated to see the canvases hung within the office building.

“The painting never feels finished,” said Rutenberg, “until the paintings are seen outside my studio.”

Among the many honors he has received, Rutenberg has been a Fulbright Scholar, a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow, a Marie Walsh Sharpe Grant recipient, a Basil Alkazzi Award recipient, and an Irish Museum of Modern Art Work Programme recipient. See more of Rutenberg’s art on his website, www.brianrutenbergart.com , and in the video below.

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Brian Rutenberg in the studio. Photo by Loren Bridges, courtesy of the artist.

“I’m a failed magician who paints for a living,” explains South Carolina-born, New York-based artist Brian Rutenberg. While he may have failed at his first career choice, Rutenberg certainly became a conjurer of another kind. His Banner of the World paintings , most recently on view at Forum Gallery in New York, sizzle with hocus-pocus.

“They are,” he muses, “a transference of deception. We need deception, lying, to achieve a temporary sense of reverie and lucidity – one flash of clarity, even for a moment.”

“Banner of the Coast (Winter Almonds)”, 2021-22, oil on linen, 36 x 55 inches.

Rutenberg grew up in touristy Myrtle Beach, where stunning natural beauty coexists with a carnival, honky-tonk atmosphere of arcades, souvenir shops and casinos. He learned to see literally from the ground by lying on the earth to take in the view. This perspective restricts what we see to foreground and distance; what is in between must be envisioned by the viewer.

The Banner paintings – which arose out of his desire for “a closer marriage between blinking, candy-colored neon lights and something more natural” – are, he explains, “a collision between the two worlds that makes a third thing.”

These new environments are lush and rendered in hallucinatory colors, with obvious references to woods, marshes, swamps and rivers that feel primordial. Rutenberg tricks us into the compressed, ground-level view by depicting what is close in thicker applications of paint, while distances consist of diluted, thinly laid pigments that seem to glow with an inner light. The latter conveys an ethereality that feels otherworldly, even supernatural.

In this way, the artist’s works recall Renaissance memento mori and vanitas paintings, which carefully arranged objects that referenced human mortality (a skull, a snuffed-out candle, a spilled goblet of wine) as a way of reminding us of the ephemeral nature of our existence in the face of the Divine and the natural world. At the same time, Rutenberg observes, they were very much about those human pleasures (food, wine, music, literature and so on) that artists depicted with a luscious sensuality.

“Banner of the Coast (Pecan Trees)”, 2021-22, oil on linen.

Rutenberg invokes all this in an abstract modern way. “I place a lot of emphasis on the application of paint,” he describes, “on the deliciousness of paint. South Carolina is just the delivery system,” he adds of the specific locale that inspired them. “It’s really about sustaining that sense of pleasure and reverie, to bring us from the mind to the liquidity.” To that end, his carefully composed works lead the eye to that central light that emanates a trance-inducing state of wonder and magic.

Indeed, they feel ripe, fecund, mysterious and hot. “It’s that seductive wet blanket of humidity that makes you feel like you have to just give up and fall to your knees.” In the presence of these stunning, hypnotic works, that seems to be exactly the right response.

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Brian Rutenberg American, b. 1965

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Brian Rutenberg is known for atmospheric, abstract landscape paintings executed with a lush and vibrant impasto surface. Rutenberg traces his inspiration back to his fascination with the unique quality of light found in the South Carolina Low country , the place where he grew up. Rutenberg says, especially inspiring is that point when the land meets the water and for a moment the two become blurred . Rutenberg received a Fulbright Fellowship to study in Ireland in 1997 .  While there, he was honored with studio space at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin.   

Rutenberg has been the recipient of numerous awards including a Fellowship in Painting at the New York Foundation for the Arts in 2004, a Spring Island Trust Award in 2002 , a Peter S. Reed Foundation award in 2000 and an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater, the College of Charleston, in 2018 .  His work has been represented in over nine ty museum and gallery exhibitions across the United States and abroad and can be found in the collections of Yale University Art Gallery, the Gibbes Museum, the Morris Museum of Art and the Butler Institute of American Art among others .   The first monograph on the artist, Brian Rutenberg, was published in 2008 .  

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OUR MINISTER

Dr. Joseph Lozovyy was born into a Christian family in Elektrostal, Moscow Region, and was raised in a pastor’s home. From the age of fifteen, he began actively participating in the music ministry of the Baptist Church in Mytishchi, where his father served as a pastor, and also played in the orchestra of the Central Moscow Baptist Church. From 1989, he participated in various evangelistic events in different cities of Moscow Region and beyond. From 1989 to 1992, as a member of the choir and orchestra “LOGOS,” he participated in evangelistic and charitable concerts, repeatedly performing on the stages of the Moscow State Conservatory, the Bolshoi Theatre, and other concert halls in Russia and abroad. In 1992, his family moved to the United States. In 2007, after completing a full course of spiritual and academic preparation, Joseph moved to Dallas, Texas, to engage in church ministry. In 2008, he founded the Russian Bible Church to preach to the Russian-speaking population living in Dallas, Texas.

– Bachelor of Arts in Music (viola) from the Third Moscow Music School named after Scriabin, Russia (1987-1991)

– Master of Theology (Th.M); Dallas Theological Seminary, Texas (1999-2003);

– Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Hebrew Bible (Books of Samuel): University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (2007).

– Doctoral research (2004-2005) Tübingen, Germany.

– Author of a theological work published in English: Saul, Doeg, Nabal and the “Son of Jesse: Readings in 1 Samuel 16-25, LHBOTS 497 [T&T Clark/Continuum: Bloomsbury Publishing]).

https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/saul-doeg-nabal-and-the-son-of-jesse-9780567027535/

Joseph and his wife Violetta and their son Nathanael live in the northern part of Dallas.

Saul, Doeg, Nabal, and the “Son of Jesse”: Readings in 1 Samuel 16-25: The Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies Joseph Lozovyy T&T Clark (bloomsbury.com)

Joseph, his wife Violetta and their son Nathaniel live in North Dallas, Texas where he continues ministering to Russian-speaking Christians and his independent accademic research.

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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