eYakutia.com | English Yakutia » Culture

Siberian shamanism & Sakha people in Yuri Sleptsov’s scratched drawings. Fine arts.

Bolot — Mon, 14 May 2012 07:11:06 +0000

Yuri Sleptsov, a Siberian artist based in Yakutsk, Russia

Hereby I present Yuri Sleptsov‘s art works. His drawings are done on a plastic board with the use of a scalpel. Such a technique is called scratchboard or scraperboard (grattazh, in Russian). Learn more about it on Wiki.

Yuri prefers to use the plastic, as it provides the sharp contrast between white lines and the black inked background. This technique is used very rarely. The drawing might be created in the course of several weeks, months or even year. A hard work. One little mistake might spoil the whole art piece.

Yuri Sleptsov started drawing in the scraperboard style in 1991. Since that, he participated in many various exhibits and was awarded for originality and fine technique.

He didn’t graduate any arts schools. Yuri used to be an economist, retailor, auditor. Currently, he is devoted to ethnographic researches. Does a lot to keep Eveni children’s summer nomad camp in Momsky region, North-East Yakutia.

Once Yuri said to me that his grandmother was a female shaman, one of his grandfarther (through farther’s line) was also shaman. Well, I am not surprise to feel some power in his artful images.

Mandar Uus (Boris Neustroev), a famous Sakha writer from the Tattinsky region of Central Yakutia.

Brothers.

Old Sakha man.

An American professor Correl.

A Siberian laika puppy and a butterfly.

One more thing. To support his children’s summer nomadic school in Momsky region, Yuri Sleptsov accepts orders for drawings. You can buy some from him or send your picture to be done in the scratchboard technique.Similar Posts:

Fine Arts: Alexander Khodulov’s oil paintings

Bolot — Sat, 12 May 2012 06:22:50 +0000

Shaman image. 1992-1993. Oil painting. 118 x 93.

Alexander Khodulov was a Yakutian artist, who lived from 1962 till 2003. His preferred genres were portrait, landscape scenery, still life, etc.

He was born in Yakutsk. In the family of the outstanding USSR national artist Dmitry F. Khodulov. Graduated Children Art School, Yakutsk Art College (1981), the Surikov Art Institute in Moscow (1987). A member of the Sakha Republic Artist Union since 1993.

Quote: “Nature was a leading theme in Alexander’s work, – said his wife and colleague Marianna Lukina. – His art pieces reveal a great love to the Yakutian land, lyric, and majesty. In his paitings one may feel sincerity, purity and life-asserting spirit. Viewers may have a sensation of nature, its sounds, structure and complexity. Irrespective of scenery, portraite, stills or other genres, he remained himself – modest and good-humoured.”

Alexander Khodulov. A self-portrait.

Saying a lot of sincere thanks to Yulia Khodulova for providing photographs and info.Similar Posts:

Video: Olonkho, Sakha (Yakut) heroic epos, in the animated cartoon. In Japanese.

Bolot — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 06:11:41 +0000

So awesome! I’ve heard about this animated cartoon a long time ago and today I was lucky to get the video from Yakutia Music & Folklore Museum (Yakutsk, Russia).

Olonkho is the Sakha (Yakut) heroic epos. In 2005, it was declared by UNESCO International Competition Jury as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of the humanity.

What is it about? Watch the animated cartoon and get an idea. The story is based on the “Nyurgun Bootur the Swift” olonkho story. Though it is in Japanese, but images says more than thousands of words.

All about Olonkho on my other site.

Created by Alexei & Afanassiy Ushnitskies’s studio “Sulus Games” (www.sulusgames.ru).Similar Posts:

Kihilyakh & the Fire of the 5th Children of Asia International Sports Games [87 photos]

Bolot — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:27:10 +0000

To visit Kihilyakh, sacred stones in Verkhoyansk district in North-East Yakutia, was my long dream. I’ve never been to that area. And, finally, I made it.

Two weeks ago, I received a call. There was Yakutia’s Vice President Dmintry Glushko on the phone. Amazing. He asked, whether I wanted to go to Kihilyakh. “My god! Definitely,” I said. He continued, “There will be the ceremony of lighting of the Fire of the 5th Children of Asia International Sports Games.”

What is Kihilyakh?

Stones on hills in Verkhoyansky district of Yakutia. They look gorgeous and they are considered to be sacred and worshipped highly by Sakha people. This place is more like Mecca. It is believed, when you touch stones, you recharge yourself and get the power of nature.

Photos of Kihilyakh in summer

Legend about Kihilyakh (Stone People)

Elders say that there were People of Sunlight living on Earth in the ancient time. Their thoughts were as clean as spring water, and their deeds like milk brought abundance and prosperity into the Middle World. The world was kept in peace and order, and no wars and fights happened, as People of Sunlight owned the Sacred Fire, that had ability to endow strength and courage, wisdom and longevity. Evil Spirits of the Lower World learned about the fire. They got a strong desire to bring maladies and wars to the people and they decided to steal the magic fire.

To protect the land, People of Sunlight clashed in a battle with Evil Spirits of the Lower World at the top of the mountain at the coldest place on Earth, where nothing lived nor grew. Skies filled with lightnings, grounds trembled under warriors’ feet, and Evil Spirits were defeated for ever and ever. To guard the Sacred Fire, People of Sunlight stayed on the mountain and turned into stones to become eternal sentinels. Even now the fire might be seen in the sky as bright flames of the Northern Lights.

What is The Children of Asia International Sports Games?

Children of Asia is the biggest sports event held by Republic of Sakha-Yakutia once in four years. This summer we’ll have it for the 5th time.

The 5th Children of Asia International Sports Games is supported by Olympic Council of Asia, Russian Olympic Committee, and Nike (as a sponsor), etc. Everything about the Games might be learned on its official website www.gamesasia.ru.

What was the event held on Kihilyakh on March 28th, 2012?

The official fire of the 5th Children of Asia was lit and the torch relay started.

During 100 days, Children of Asia Torch Relay will cover 32256 km and go through 197 settlements across Yakutia.

The first, who took the torch fire, was bronze Olympic winner, boxer Georgy Balakshin. The second was Pavel Pinigin, free-wrestler, Olympic winner.

The event was visited by high guests, namely by Olympic Council of Asia member Gofur-Arslonbek Rakhimov, National Olympic Committee of Russia Secretary General Marat Bariev, representative of sponsoring companies, Nike and Megafon.

In below photographs you can see our fly in AN 24 over the Lena River, Verkhoyansk mountains, the Yana River, welcome ceremony in Batagai Airport, Kihilyakh, torch relay start celebration in the village of Elges, and Batagai Airport.

SEE PHOTOGRAPHS:
*Click thumbnails to enlarge picture in big size.

Similar Posts:

Osuokhay, Sakha Round Dance Beyond Time & Space [video+music]

Bolot — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:22:56 +0000

Mira Maximova is a talented Sakha composer, who currently lives in China. Many might know her as a YouTuber ExUmira2. On her channel there are a lot of songs written and performed by her. A few years ago China closed the access to YouTube and now she can’t upload her new songs.

Recently she sent me the song Osuokhay, Sakha Round Dance Beyond Time & Space and asked, if I can post it on the website. Sure, Mira. That’s what I am doing now. Moreover, I made a slideshow with my photographs.

Further find information on the song dedicated to the Sakha traditional round dance known as Osoukhay.

Song: Mira Maximova.
Leading voice: Alex Montyro.
Photos: Bolot Bochkarev.
In pictures: Osuokhai during Stroganina Festival in Yakutsk, 12 Dec. 2009.

Dance Description:

Universal unity of people is symbolized by round dance with singing of Osuokhay, meaning existential circle. Dancers sing and move slowly with the motion of the Sun, as if following constant flow of life in time and space and giving the contribution of gratitude to heavenly bodies for their light and warmth given to people of Earth. The dance proceeds continuously till morning; in past Osuokhay has been sung for three days and nights. It is considered that everybody in a circle is charged with energy for the whole year. The ritual symbolizes the birth of Universe and Man.

Lyrics:

Oh-huo-oh-huo-oh-huo-khuy!
Eh- hey-eh-hey-eh-hey-kay!
I’m so honored here today!
To be with you all and say!

We are starting Osuokhay!
The roundelay of Sakha!
Let us speak out from the soul!
Our best regards to all!

May your inner mind be free!
May your breath be long and deep!
Always live your life in peace!
Live your life in harmony!

And let all-embracing Love!
Melt the ice inside your heart!
Make your body strong and hard!
Make You beautiful and smart!

Let deep wisdom grow up!
Wisdom that lives deep inside!
May you be from now on!
Good-looking, clever and strong!

May you always live in peace!
Let your mind be clean and free!
Let us wish to all our friends!
Kind regards and all the best!

We all dance and sing today!
Universal roundelay!
Dance is energizing us!
It is filling us with love!

We all have to realize!
That the Universe is one!
It wants love from all of us!
So space could be lighten up!

We are having round dance!
And the light surrounds us!
Due to our dance today!
The world became a better place!

So, My Friends, I want to say!
Let us change ourselves today!
Let us try to do our best!
To live lives with no regrets!

Oh-huo-oh-huo-oh-huo-khuy!
Eh- hey-eh-hey-eh-hey-kay!
Let us wish to all our friends!
Kind regards and all the best!

Dom!Similar Posts:

Yakut Horses Living in the Siberian cold. Not-Yet-Completed Documentary Episodes

Bolot — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:16:46 +0000

Huraay, Yegor Makarov (http://www.muuskhaia.ru/), prominent businessman in Yakutia, shared this video with me. He said, The world needs to know the Yakut horse.

The Yakut horse is a breed originated on the territory of the Republic of Sakha-Yakutia in North-East Siberia, Russia.

See how awesome they are in the extreme cold winter in Yakutia, Russia’s biggest Siberian region.

It is just a few episodes of Yegor Makarov’s new documentary. A teasing video was done with the help of talanted cameraman, Yuri Berezhnev. The film is not completed yet. They are working on it.

Meanwhile, you might wish to check what I have already on my blog under the tag Yakut Horse.

Feel free to share this video. Let’s spread a word about the Yakut horse.Similar Posts:

Olga Monastyreva and her dreams in paintings [photos]

Bolot — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:53:10 +0000

Olga Monastyreva is a contemperary Yakutia-born artist, who lives currently with her beloved in Belguim. In the town of De Haan, they’ve got the fine art gallery “Artepol” (www.artepol.be). Btw, the gallery is depicted in her penultimate painting.

See how fascinating her paintings are. Inspired by Russia’s Siberian republic of Yakutia, her far-away cold wintery homeland. Olga spent her childhood in the town of Khandyga located on the Aldan River in the eastern part of the Republic of Sakha-Yakutia.

Once Olga described her canvases as Dreams. They look that way, indeed!

Saying a lot of thanks to Olga for allowing me to publish and share her art works. Feel free to spread a word about her and the gallery Artipol.Similar Posts:

Culture of the Yakuts, Siberian Horse People. Fine Arts Museum in Yakutsk, Russia

Bolot — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:45:19 +0000

The current post is sequal to the previous one, “Olonkho, Sakha Heroic Epos, In Timofei Stepanov’s Painting The Upper World.” This time we post images of crafts and attributes of the Sakha (Yakut) people’s past daily life.

Yes, photographs were taken in The National Fine Arts Museum of the Republic of Sakha-Yakutia in Yakutsk, Siberia / Russia.

In the following images you’ll see crockeries for horse milk, female horse saddles, talisman-like crafted calendars, female clothes, belts, other national clothes and… mammoth tusk crafts.

Each picture shows that the Sakha people is the nation that cultivates and breeds horses.

By the way, click images to enlarge.

Similar Posts:

Olonkho, Sakha heroic epos, in Timofei Stepanov’s painting The Upper World

Bolot — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:43:52 +0000

Love visiting National Fine Arts Museum of Republic of Sakha-Yakutia (www.sakhamuseum.ru) in Yakutsk, Russia. Many paintings, sculptures, installatons.

Hereby, I am eager to show parts of one painting done by the well-known Yakut artist, Timofei Stepanov.

He was the first artist, who depicted the Yakut heroic epic called Olonkho in the series of paintings.

Olonkho is a heroic epic tale of the Sakha people. The poetic tales, which vary from 10,000 to 20,000 verses (or more) in length, are performed by the Olonkho singer and story-teller. Wiki.

In 2004, it was proclaimed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO.

Timofei Stepanov was named as a Olonkho story-teller in fine arts. Indeed, one painting is like one big tale with many small stories. As a proof, see below fragments of the above piece called The Upper World.

From last visit to the museum, I’ve got many photographs, so keep following.Similar Posts:

Yakutia in a 5-min video presentation. W/ subtitles in three languages

Bolot — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:46:17 +0000

This is a 5-min video about Yakutia!

Its creators tried to do the impossible… to show all images of the vast diverse region called Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Think, they succeeded, but, frankly, such a hard mission won’t be possible to do ever.

No more words! Watch Yakutia!Similar Posts:

None Found