FOLK ART OF THE SOVIET UNION; Reflections of a Rich Cultural Diversity of the 15 Republics FOLK ART OF THE SOVIET UNION; Reflections of a Rich Cultural Diversity of the 15 Republics

1989. 168 pages, 100+ color photograpahs, one map, seven regional commentaries by curators and researchers of the State Museum of Ethnography of the Peoples of the USSR, Leningrad.

This book is from an exhibition of the same name organized and presented by Mingei International in conjunction with the Soviet Art Festival, City of San Diego. This exhibition had Soviet curators and was held at the B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal as part of the Museum's outreach program. Following its presentation at Mingei International Museum, this exhibition traveled to the San Francisco Craft and Folk Art Museum.

The exhibition provided the first opportunity outside the Soviet Union to view over 700 folk art objects from the 18th to 20th centuries, on loan from the State Museum of Ethnography, Leningrad. These objects used in daily living, included: rugs from Central Asia; Ukrainian glass and ceramics, weavings; textiles; furniture; clothing; jewelry, etc.

Foreward Martha Longenecker, Director, MINGEI INTERNATIONAL

Here is a unique first opportunity outside of the Soviet Union to see an overview of historical and contemporary art of the people living within the vast and varied geographical areas of the Soviet. Union.

This nation covers approximately one sixth of our world's land surface, stretches from the Arctic North to the deserts of Central Asia and extends almost 7,000 miles from the European borders in the west to China and the Pacific Ocean in the east. Within this vast territory are more than one hundred different ethnic groups, each with its own language, customs, and unique cultural traditions embodied in a wide variety of art forms.

The selections were made by MINGEI INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM from the collections of one of the Soviet Union's largest museums, The State Museum of Ethnography of the Peoples of the U.S.S.R. in Leningrad.

Each object has been chosen for its aesthetic quality, craftsmanship, and regional character. All are indigenous art made by and for the people, in contrast to objects commercially produced for tourist consumption. Of unsurpassed beauty, they are used in daily life and reflect continuing changes in living traditions.