![\"DSC_6199\"](\"https:\/\/www.equilter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/6a0120a82c6029970b017c32847252970b1.jpg\" "\\"DSC_6199\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nI was told that I could take all the pictures that I wanted, but I could not share them publicly. They said the only photos I could share were of this wall full of shelves and swatch books. <\/p>\n
Here I am with Victoria, who owns a patchwork shop (and who arranged for the tour), and Tatyana the professor. This is only part of the wall!<\/p>\n
\n Behind the photographer in this room, were display cases, textiles hanging on the walls, ethnic embroidered costumes on mannequins, and larger precious swatchbooks dating back over 200 years. Some of the textiles were from the 18th century. <\/p>\n As we progressed from one display room to the next, Tatyana turned off the lights in one room, and turned on the lights in the next room. The only room in which she wouldn't allow me to take photos, was the room where I wanted *most* to take photos – the history of Russian Art Nouveau.The historic textile samples locked in wall cases, were some of the most beautiful versions of Art Nouveau that I have ever seen. <\/p>\n In Russia this was known as Stil Modern, or "Modern Style". It's counterparts were Jugendstil (German for "youth style") and Secession in Vienna. <\/strong><\/p>\n In Italy it was known as <\/strong>Stile Liberty<\/strong> from the department store in London, Liberty & Co.<\/a>, which popularised the style. The style was influenced strongly by Czech<\/a> artist Alphonse Mucha<\/a>. In Spain, the style was based mainly in Barcelona<\/a> and was an essential element of the Catalan Modernisme<\/a><\/em>. Architect Antoni Gaud?<\/a>, As I moved through the rooms and main hallway of the museum, I tried to take thoughtful photos of the intrinsically Russian textile designs, especially focusing on those that displayed technical expertise and the most sophisticated designs. So many of the historic textile designs are still being reproduced today, in the babushka wool challis scarves that are so often sold to the tourists. The big bold florals in jeweltones and black, are seen on tourists and Russian grandmas alike.<\/p>\n The other room which could not be photographed was the Asian collection room, which was full of vintage Japanese and Chinese textiles. There were several exquisitely intricate embroidered murals and room screens, and a formal embroidered wedding kimono stood on a mannequin in the center of the huge room. I didn't feel quite so bad about not being able to take photos there, because I've had so much exposure to Asian textiles since I lived in Hong Kong, and also from my annual trips to the Tokyo Quilt Festival.<\/p>\n When we got to the end of the tour, I told Tatyana that my website could be of great inspiration to her students, since we have over 1000 new textile designs every month. I also pointed her towards my video page, with dozens of artist reviews and quilt show reviews. She was also interested in my photo page (http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/luanarubin\/) where I post hundreds of photos from my travels around the world.<\/p>\n It was truly an amazing afternoon, and I feel so lucky to have experienced this private museum tour. Many thanks to Tatyana who opened up the museum for my visit, and Victoria who arranged for the private tour!<\/p>\nShare Post:<\/strong> In the afternoon of Weds Sept 26, my new friends Victoria, Maria and Olesya picked me up at the hotel (after my morning with a tour guide) and we made our way through the Moscow traffic to the Textile Academy. … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n
\nused Art Nouveau's floral and organic forms.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"