‘Shadows in the City at MoMA’

    

Bro. Ari Roussimoff’s long lost film will be brought back to life at MoMA next month. Shadows in the City will be illuminated on screen at the Museum of Modern Art October 5-11 thanks to the museum’s Department of Film. From the publicity:

A story of suicidal obsession, conceived as a work of “contemporary horror,” Shadows in the City was the last major work of New York’s 1980s No Wave film scene. Shot over seven years in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, painter-performer Ari Roussimoff’s only fiction feature captures the urban desolation of the city in the decade before gentrification. This definitive work of “outsider cinema” boasts a who’s who of local cult figures, including Bruce Byron (star of Kenneth Anger’s Scorpio Rising), Taylor Mead, Annie Sprinkle, Joe Coleman, Nick Zedd, Kembra Pfahler, Valarie Caris, Catfish Hayes, Clayton Patterson, the Hell’s Angels, and, in their final screen appearances, Jack Smith and documentary filmmaker Emile de Antonio.

MoMA

Following limited screenings at New York’s Millennium, Angelika, and Bleecker Street theaters, the film was presented as an “expanded cinema” event with live performance at Limelight in 1992, and later in Germany and the Netherlands, before disappearing when Roussimoff became “preoccupied with other things.” Out of circulation thirty years, this original 16mm release print is being presented one last time before the Museum begins digital restoration.

MoMA

Heavily influenced by the German Expressionist films Roussimoff saw at MoMA and in repertory screenings in the 1960s and ’70s, Shadows is a strung-out mash-up of noir art film, Neorealism, and the carnivalesque that plays out in a series of scripted and improvised scenes. Upon its release, the Russian-born Roussimoff was dubbed “dean of the disenfranchised” by the underground press, with Downtown magazine describing Shadows as a “combination dagger-in-the heart and pie-in-the face of the official counter culture.” The film’s documentation of New York’s physical and cultural landscapes of the 1980s is more arresting now than ever.

On Thursday, October 5, Roussimoff and the film’s art director, Clayton Patterson, will present the screening in conjunction with the publication of Patterson’s In the Shadows: The People’s History of New York City Underground Tattooing.

Ari just confirmed it.

If I’m not mistaken, Shadows in the City was the last film shown at Bleecker Street Cinema when it closed for good in ’91. (I don’t know why I recollect such trivia. I wish I had that talent with Masonic ritual!)

Ari is with Manhattan Lodge 31 in the First Manhattan District.

     

‘Livingston Library lecture and debut of Ari’s Art’

     
The lecture series at the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York will continue in three weeks with the return of Bro. Ari Roussimoff, who will discuss the Masonic inspirations behind his paintings, and will unveil a new painting. From the publicity:

Ari Roussimoff Lecture and Exhibit

Thursday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m.

Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Library

Masonic Hall

71 West 23rd Street, 14th floor

Manhattan

Magpie file photo

Ari Roussimoff, a critically acclaimed painter and film director, has been called one of the most prolific and creative artists of his generation. His paintings of Russian, Ukrainian, and symbolic Masonic themes have earned him much praise. Early on, his work was even lauded by the modern art masters Marc Chagall and Oskar Kokoschka. Having become a Freemason in 2002, he has devoted many paintings to Masonic subjects. Inspired by Freemasonry and its rich symbols, he incorporates Masonic ideas and philosophies into uniquely imaginative compositions. In addition, Roussimoff has revived painted Masonic aprons, embedding them with his very own artistic vision.

He will be speaking about how the symbols and ideals of Freemasonry have given him the inspiration to create artwork that integrates the Masonic spirit into an altogether universal context. Roussimoff will also be debuting his newest Masonic artwork.

Seating is very limited, so please RSVP here.

We serve white wine and water at our lectures. Note: Photo ID is required to enter Masonic Hall.


In other library and museum news, an exhibit will be installed on the ground floor of Masonic Hall to present a sampling of the Livingston Library’s massive collection of Masonic aprons. Click here to see more. Click here to see Catherine Walter’s blog post introducing the exhibit. (Photos courtesy Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library.)

 

  

‘Voyage into Mystery at Mariners next week’

     
My Brother Mason Ari Roussimoff will be the keynote speaker next Wednesday at Mariners Lodge 67, in a meeting that will be open to friends of Freemasonry. From the publicity:

Voyage into Mystery, Chapter V:

My Travels Through Freemasonry With Art

Presented by Ari Roussimoff

Wednesday, October 12

7 p.m. for brethren

7:30 for non-Masons

Masonic Hall

71 W. 23rd Street, Manhattan

Eighth Floor, Doric Room

Black Tie for officers; business for guests

Mariners Lodge No. 67 presents the fifth chapter of our “Voyage into Mystery” lecture series, as we host legendary Masonic painter and artist Bro. Ari Roussimoff.

Ari Roussimoff, a critically acclaimed painter and film director, has been called one of the most prolific and creative artists of his generation. His paintings of Russian, Ukrainian, Jewish, symbolic and Masonic themes have earned him much acclaim and they have been shown in over 80 exhibitions worldwide. He is also a member of Consolidated Lodge No. 31 in the First Manhattan District.

In this lecture, he will take us on a visual voyage using his artwork, as he expounds on the Mysteries he has encountered and illustrated the lessons he’s learned through his Freemason experience. Bro. Roussimoff hopes to spark a new interest in Masonic painting and art.

It will be followed by our legendary Maritime themed Festive Board. Menu:

• Caesar Salad
• Asian Orange Chicken
• Mongolian Beef & Onions
• Sweet & Sour Pork
• Oriental Stir Fry
• Wild Rice
• Fruit Bowl
• Water, sodas, wine, and the infamous Mariners Punch

Seating for the dinner is limited, and costs $35 per person. RSVP for the meeting and confirm your seat for the Festive Board here.

This is an event of high interest and tickets for the dinner will go fast. Once all tickets sold, all further RSVPs will be waitlisted.
     

‘Artist Ari exhibit’

    
Bro. Ari Roussimoff will have his recent paintings exhibited in Masonic Hall, the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of New York in Manhattan, in March.

The exhibit, “A Traveling Artist: Russian Soul, American Magic and the Light of Freemasonry,” will be held March 12-19 inside the French Doric Room on the tenth floor, and will be open to the public from 2 to 8 p.m. The opening of the exhibit will be Tuesday the 12th at 6 p.m. Other of Roussimoff’s works can be seen inside the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library, on the 14th floor of Masonic Hall. Click here to see those paintings when the artist brought them to the Big Night at the Little Inn a little more than four years ago.

Masonic Hall is located at 71 West 23^rd Street in Manhattan.

Hiram's Apron by Ari Roussimoff.

See symbols but do not expect allegory in Ari’s images. He is a builder of bold colors and vivid likenesses that cannot be misunderstood. His paintings do tell stories, but I think it’s safe to say the stories are not open to interpretation, and are narratives Ari shares with his audience.

Definitely make a point of seeing them for yourself.
    

‘Big Night,’ Part Deux

Hamming it up with hats – Bro. Ari Roussimoff and his wife strike a pose.

“I love the holiday season,” said Ari Roussimoff, beginning his presentation Monday night at La Petite Auberge. This second annual dinner-lecture is the doing of the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library, whose trustees selected the topic “Freemasonry and the Arts.” The fine arts and various performing arts, and even a by-gone era’s ways Masons promoted the arts were the subjects discussed. “It’s Christmas. It’s Hanukkah,” Roussimoff added. “I wish it would snow!”

Praising what he called the universality of this season of Jewish and Christian holy days, Roussimoff introduced the two paintings he brought to the restaurant. The pair are two-thirds of a triptych devoted to Masonic symbolism. All three components are oil-on-canvas paintings that lead the initiated eye through multiple Masonic degrees. Both of these measure 24x36, but the third portion was too large to transport. The complete triptych is on exhibit at the Livingston Library, located at the Grand Lodge of New York at 71 W. 23rd St., near Sixth Avenue.

Roussimoff spoke on “Freemasonry and Painting & Sculpture,” and he is worthy and well qualified to do so. The prolific painter and sculptor has had his work exhibited in 80 galleries, museums and other venues around the world, where his Russian, Ukrainian and Jewish imagery has won accolades. When not tending to those labors, Ari is a prize-winning maker of documentary films.

“The contributions to Freemasonry of artists are seen in aprons, tracingboards and too many artifacts to mention here,” he said. “Before standardized aprons, Masons wore hand-painted, individualized aprons. They used water-based paints, and some aprons even had jewelry. Still, you can’t call them folk art. For example, Jeremy Cross and Amos Doolittle actually signed their painted aprons.” He then lauded diverse artists who contributed to culture, from the famous Masons, like William Hogarth, to lesser known creators, including Lovis Corinth, Juan Gris and even Grant Wood. (The “American Gothic” painter also created a lithograph titled “Shriner’s Quartet” in 1939.) Roussimoff described Gris’ career, lamenting how despite being Master of his lodge, he never painted a Masonic picture. “It’s ironic. Gris was a Cubist, so he worked in geometry, in cubes.”

Focusing on his own work, Roussimoff displayed the two outer portions of his triptych, which he dubbed a “Parable of Light and Dark.” It is for the enjoyment of Mason and non-Mason alike, he explained. They parallel the legend of Hiram Abiff. The left portion is titled “Foundations.” It challenges the eye to keep pace. From the top left, the All-Seeing Eye surveys a cultural evolution. From the bottom, the operative workmen swing their tools. Emerging above are the Grand Masters of legend. A menagerie of architectural styles leads the viewer around the center of the painting. Beginning with the Beehive, a building of nature, the trail leads to classical temples, medieval cathedrals and Yakovlev-like towers, with Enlightenment icons the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower along the way. Observing from above are Pushkin (poetry), Wilde (theater), Twain (fiction) and Mozart (music).

Ari discusses his ‘Rebirth.’

The other painting available to us Monday was “Rebirth,” the third story of the triptych. Similarly it gives the eye a lot to consider. I suppose I ought to convey the artist’s explanation of the obvious eye-catcher: that double-vision pair of peepers denoting the supernatural Hebrew figure Melchizedek. “ ‘Rebirth’ is about today, not tomorrow. It is a rebuilding,” Roussimoff said. “The two sets of eyes show spirituality/creativity and the mind/intellect. I wanted to convey heart, soul and logic.”

Part III to come!

Another Big Night at ‘The Little Inn’

Tonight the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library, of the Grand Lodge of New York, returned to La Petite Auberge in Murray Hill for its second annual dinner-lecture, this one titled “Freemasonry and the Arts.”

I’ll continue with a Magpie account of the evening shortly, but for now I’ll just share some photos.

These photos deny Bro. Ari Roussimoff’s work the justice it deserves. The colors, even in the subtly lit restaurant, are captivating and thrust the viewer into fantasy.

Thanks to the familiar symbols, the scenes are not entirely foreign, but clearly you’re taken into another world. (The poor quality of these photos is attributed to the need to shoot from an angle for lighting purposes. Really the best that could be managed without using more equipment.)

RW Bill Thomas, center, greets two of his guests. Bill is a Trustee of the Library. On Monday the 29th, he’ll be installed in the East of American Lodge of Research.

From left: artist Ari Roussimoff, Mark Koltko-Rivera, Daniel from the Livingston Library, and Tom Savini, Director of the Library.

That’s Bob Stutz on the right, as if you’re looking at him.

In the meantime, to read about last year’s festivities, click here.