Moscow Art / Studio trip (March 2010)

Unpredictable, Cold and Charming

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Bought winter hat on my way to the Red Square, met family members who I haven't seen since 2003, outside of Lenin's Mausoleum at 9am (local time).We hugged, took photos, went to view Lenin's Mausoleum as it opened, then we visited the Moscow Kremlin Museum http://www.kreml.ru/en/main/museums/armoury/hall07

(the Armoury Chamber filled with Royal crowns, authentic Faberge eggs, carriages, royal dress and the most important item - Peter the Great's very 1st throne (view it here: http://www.kreml.ru/en/main/virtual/exposition/regalia/IvanV/throne/),a double throne for him and his older half brother, with an opening in the back, for his half sister to give him orders & guide him). In line, on the stairs of the entrance, we saw as the president and his entourage left in a brigade of black cars and while at the exhibit, Roger Moore (007) was also present, I briefly said hi to him & requested an autograph for my cousin.

Afterward, we visited the magical Kremlin Cathedrals, including the Archangel Mikhail Cathedral, where resides the original archangel A.M. (protector of faith and guardian against evil) icon from 600 years ago. Also within this speechless Cathedral, are the resting places of many Russian Tsars, including the very 1st Romanov, Mikhail Fyodorovich. Together family & I went to eat at the near by Yelki-Palki, saw the Chekhov MXAT http://art.theatre.ru/english and walked on the Old Arbat Street .

(public domain image)

Monday, March 15th

Peter the 1st Hotel breakfast (porridge & salmon sandwiches), followed by a car to the A.K. Production Center for a project meeting with gen.director. Afterward, took a walk in the snow to the Romen (Romani) theatre http://www.teatr-romen.ru

on Leningradskiy Prospekt and taxi back to hotel. Took a brisk walk to the incredibly beautiful GUM http://www.gum.ru super-mall,where I visited the Souz music store and got an Allegrova special edition cd, bought some fantastic Russian food at Gastronom No.1,the best food market I have ever seen, with differentiating department rooms of bakeries, seafood, meats, milk-products, candies, lemonades,fruits, etc.. I got three different breads (Borodinsky, Molochniy and Poppy seed bagels), absolutely fresh milk in a glass jar,sausage, Olivie' salad and went back to the hotel to have my very own in-room dinner, followed by picking up my registration stamp at the front desk. 100 grams ofRussian Standard vodka sealed the deal and healed me completely from apossibly impending cold (freezing temperatures of 20's F, which I actually highlyenjoy in proper wear, even with cracked knuckles.)

Tuesday, March 16th

Went to the world famous Sanduny Banya http://sanduny.ru for a Russian Steaming, bought a 1/2 liter of their 1869 house label vodka. Walk back to hotel on the ice-slippery roads, then took a taxi (have to be cautious which taxis you choose) to MOSFILM, Russia 's largest and highly-respected film studio. Had a meeting, followed by a mini-photo shoot at Mosfilm Photo Studio http://stfoto.ru (photos taken by Natalia Tomilina). Took the highly intricate Metro system to Ohotniy Ryad station at the (Red Square) and went to the Kremlin Palace for a performance of Bolshoi's http://bolshoi.ru/ru (top ballet theatre in the world) performance of Don Quixote, where areal live donkey and white horse appeared on stage in several acts.I have a personal anecdote regarding the intermission to share with whomever would like to ask me in person. On my way back to the hotel, stopped by the MXAT Chekhov Cafe http://cafe-chekhov.ru for some Cherry Pelmeny and hot tea, got lost and thencalled a quality cab.

Gate Pass into Mosfilm


Camera Gallery at Mosfilm


Tickets to the Moscow Art Theatre and the Bolshoi Theatre

Mini model of the original Bolshoi Theatre

Photos taken at the Mosfilm Photo Studio

Wednesday, March 17th

Had a morning appointment at Mosfilm Studios regarding a possible 2nd unit shoot in Siberia, took the Metro to the acclaimed Tretyakovskaya Gallery, the art was stunning, dating from the 12th century. Here is the museum's most prolific icon: http://www.tretyakovgallery.ru/ru/collection/_show/image/_id/2216

My favorite new artist discovery is N. N. Ge, you can view some of his works here (my favorite works are not listed): http://www.tretyakovgallery.ru/ru/collection/_show/author/_id/68

His art is similar; dark, psychological, searching for the truth in the human system. Also featured in the 60+ galleries, is a famed portrait of Anton Chekhov, the great writer who collaborated with Stanislavski and wrote what became my most beloved short story. Walked across two bridges to get back to the Kremlin & saw a military procession taking place in a park. The air was freezing and I was grateful to enjoy the beauty (one river was completely iced over). Took the metro to Pushkiniskaya station and at last found the MXAT (Moscow Art Theatre), in the name of Gorkov (there are two Moscow Art Theatres) http://www.mxat-teatr.ru

There I picked up my ticket to Chekhov's Cherry Orchard (orchestra row 2, seat 22) - starring nationally treasured actress, Tatiana Doronina, and before the show began at 7pm local time, two doors down, I visited the Konditerskaya Pushkin (a bakery confectionery) locate at 25/26 Tversky Blvd. where I celebrated my time in Moscow with a three course dessert-only dinner, the confectionery (in the style and set in an actual 19th century building) was perfected by elegant service from a beautiful girl who called me 'Sudar'. I had a raspberry bize', a truffle made to order with a korzhik to go.

There were a few slightly scary moments, including people on the street who approached me out of nowhere and asked for money and a few gloomy customer service relations, however altogether I found the trip to be inspirational, educational, horizon-expanding, rose-color glass shattering, instinctively full flowing, emotionally stimulating, edibly enjoyable, visually stunning, artistically influential and insightful to the soul.

CANNES / MONACO / UK / BELGIUM (May 2008)

5.14.08
London St. Pancras to Paris Nord
Paris Austerlitz to Cannes

5.18.08
Cannes to Monaco & back
1 day trip

5.19.08
Cannes to Paris Gare Lyon
Paris Nord to Bruxelles Midi

5.20.08
Brussels to Lille (taxi, due to train strike)
Lille to London St Pancras, with a taxi stop at Buckingham Palace


On my way to Monaco (top) & Grasse (near hotel, close to the bus ride into Cannes)

Cannes Film Festival Badge

Visiting the majestic Festival, cover poster
by one of my favorite directors, David Lynch

Island St. Marguerite (in the cell of the original Man in the Iron Mask)


(shiny ticket for a Premiere)


(The bakeries, the food, yes A+!)


(In magical Monaco)


(Paris, train cabin, and airport lounge)


(Visiting Grasse, Napoleon's famous Route)

Below: St. Petersburg, Russia + Delphi & Rhodes (GREECE) (2004)

Copyright 2004 - 2012 Mikhail Tank / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED