Agit-Porcelian

There is an exhibition currently in the UK, Circling the Square
Avant-garde Porcelain from Revolutionary Russia.

The exhibition celebrates an extraordinary moment in the history of 20th century art and design. It presents, for the first time in this country, a comprehensive survey of the porcelain produced at the world-renowned Lomonosov Porcelain Factory in St Petersburg, formerly the Imperial Porcelain Factory, during the years following the Russian Revolution of 1917.

This is a rare opportunity to consider the achievements of a group of radical avant-garde artists – Futurists, Cubists and especially the abstract Suprematist painters in the circle of Kazimir Malevich – within the wider context of Russian revolutionary porcelain.

The exhibition is jointly organised by The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, and the Courtauld Institute of Art, London. The exhibition and catalogue have been made possible by the generous support of the Russian financial corporation URALSIB.

The exhibition travels to the US after this stop, but I haven't yet found out where it will be. I can guarantee I may have to take a little trip in the 2005. Why am I so excited? Lomonosov is the place I skipped out to while visiting St. Pete on a US Grains Council trade mission two summers ago. I went to the factory with a driver who spoke NO English, bought three 22-piece tea sets and made it back safely. I am also intrigued by the idea of the Soviets using dinnerware to further the education of the proletariat. Besides the stuff just looks cool.