Vasily Shchetinin

Project-pavilion "Calf covered with gold"

Archstoyanie 2009. Winter

Project idea is inspired from one side by by a Bible sujet of the Noah Arch and from the other side it appeals to the image of aggressive financial optimism and well-being, perdonified in Wall Street Bull figure. This sculpture by Arturo Di Modica appeared in Manhattan 20 years ago after the artist’s initiative and since 1989 it has symbolized financial success. In the modern realities the golden calf became a certain metaphor of global financial crises.

Wooden calf by Vasily Schetinin is a totally not aggressive image. It symbolizes patience, roots, safety and support. The calf is simultaneously an arch-ship ready to save mankind in the years of flood (cataclysm) and a watch-tower and a breadwinner and a defender – just have a look at its horns that tip the sculpture. The place where this calf is situated is also symbolic – Nikola-Lenivets village is the place of Great Standing on Ugra river more than 5 centuries ago. Then Russia was freed from Tatar-Mongol Yoke in the result of bloodless battle. Visual realization of the project is an observation point with exhibition pavilion and stage. From this point there opens a beautiful view of Nikola-Lenivets and of open-air museum. Downstairs in the pavilion there will be opened a final exhibition of the festival “Archstoyanie. Summer. Noah Arch”.

Architect Vasily Shchetinin
www.arch.stoyanie.ru
e-mail: arch@stoyanie.ru