Iconography
Mozaicon. Vibrant Romanian Mosaics
Mozaicon was started by a group of Romanian fresco artists who came together in 2008 to create the mosaics for the Patriarchal Cathedral Complex in Bucharest. After the initial project, only one of the artists, Daniel Codrescu continued working in mosaics until 2010, when once again other artists joined in to work on multiple projects…
Continue reading »Georgian Wonder
I have already posted an article on Contemporary Georgian artists. But it seems like every week I discover one more amazing Georgian artist doing things in repoussé, wood, stone, enamel or mosaic that very few are able to equal in quality and especially in vivacity. Vivacity is really the world to use, an art that is confident and…
Continue reading »Heaven Is Round. Earth Is Square.
This is post 4 of 4 in the series “Ancient Cosmology Today” Jonathan Pageau uses a phenomenological approach to explain traditional cosmology and its symbolism, explaining in what manner it is crucial to our experience of being in the world. Most of The Time The Earth Is Flat. Where is Heaven? Heaven and Earth in…
Continue reading »ARCHIMANDRITE ZENON (THEODOR): His Life and Work
I am not given to adulation: it places too heavy a burden of expectation on the unfortunate recipient, and often hinders the adorer. But I must confess I border on adulation for the works of the contemporary Russian iconographer and fresco painter, Archimandrite Zenon (Teodor) Every once in a while an iconographer appears who is…
Continue reading »Byzantium – Celebrating The Icon in Ottawa
The first Ottawa International Byzantine Arts Symposium wrapping up at the beginning of this month surrounded the work of master iconographer George Kordis with an exhibition, 2 concerts and an icon painting workshop. I had no idea what to expect going in to this event. I had been contacted by the event organizer, Lesia Maruschak only…
Continue reading »Heaven and Earth in The Icon
This is post 3 of 4 in the series “Ancient Cosmology Today” Jonathan Pageau uses a phenomenological approach to explain traditional cosmology and its symbolism, explaining in what manner it is crucial to our experience of being in the world. Most of The Time The Earth Is Flat. Where is Heaven? Heaven and Earth in…
Continue reading »The Carved Icons of Elena and Sergio Nikolenko
I was recently made aware of two wonderful Russian carvers named Elena and Sergio Nikolenko. Their work is quite impressive, using ornament with spectacular precision. Their stylisation of faces ranges from the more iconic to more realistic features depending on pieces. The couple work on their icons together, with Elena being the designer and the one…
Continue reading »An Inlaid Gospel Cover
The idea for this gospel cover began several years ago. I discussed with Jonathan Pageau the possibility of using his stone carvings as inlaid icons in wooden liturgical pieces. He is able to carve the steatite stone slabs quite thin so that the weight is reasonable even for a book cover. I based the…
Continue reading »Ottawa International Byzantine Arts Symposium
I am quite excited to have been invited to participate in the first Ottawa International Byzantine Arts Symposium. The Symposium is organized around the work of George Kordis and will also feature concerts, an iconography workshops and icons from other artists. This is a great chance to meet master iconographer George Kordis. I know I am…
Continue reading »Third Sermon for the Pilgrim: a Balkan Journey
I have survived three pilgrimages with Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky, leader of Orthodox Tours. Each one has been a sermon. My journey through Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia (May 25 to June 7, 2014) with 27 fellow pilgrims from the Australia, England, Ireland, Russia and the United States, is the latest sermon. First Sermon: Russia 2005, “Beloved,…
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