A standing figure, one foot forward

As already said, I have grown up as an artist close to Dimitar Daskalov, Valentin Starchev and Lyubo Prahov. I was studying with Lyubo. Marko Markov was studying with Valio Starchev. Ivan Roussev, Emo Popov, Angel Stanev, Todor Todorov and , I think, Ivan Slavov were with Krum Damyanov. 

- You see, Veso, your wrist problem is not new. This wrist problem could be seen in Egypt – look. He shows me the album. In Assyro-Babylon the things are different. Here they are. The Greeks ignore the problem, but as you can see their heads don’t look at anything. The eyes are looking, later, in the roman portrait. So, look how they have dealt with your wrist problem. Look at the Renaissance /I have forgotten the author/. Now look how I have dealt with the issue in the statue of Krakra Pernishky. The way of formcreating is an expression of spiritual values, of your own experience in this world. No one can solve your problem. This is an eternal problem, but at the same time it is yours as well. Manage it.

He went to the table, left me confused in front of the tripod and poured himself an Academic Nedelchev. “Academic Nedelchev” was how we were calling the what was then grape brandy. He also poured himself a glass of water. Lyubo had studied with Marko Markov.

 - The last six months of his life Marko was visiting his students’ ateliers, we were talking and he was glad with us – Lyubo tells me. Marko studied with Bourdelle. I reckon his head was better than Bourdelle’s. So it should be. A day comes when students teach their teachers. Arno Breker had also been a student of Bourdelle. Arno Breker – Lyubo goes on – was despised because he was working for the Nazis. He gave their aspirations an image- Lyubo adds. We drink brandy with water.

One day – Lyubo says – Rodin and Bourdelle visited the exhibition of a young Italian, Modigliani. “ You know, my dear Rodin, it seems to me we are the two last sculptors on the earth” – said Bourdelle with disappointment.

Two years ago I took a close look at Arno Breker. A great artist. The Germans know that and made him a museum.

It has also been prohibited by law after the war the State to interfere in the activity of artists, journalists, scientists and writers. There is a reason. Looking at the Cathedral of Light by Albert Speer literally sweeps me off my feet. Awesome in all its meanings.

I haven’t been much of art history and I have missed those works. Only when I was constructing my Temple of Light and was searching out suitable searchlights worldwide, a colleague from New Zealand – the one who did the light effects on Lord of the Rings sent me pictures dating 1936. I remained speechless.

My work Temple of Light was commissioned for the Yule festival in 2004 from the city of Amsterdam. It would have been a great goof. Thankfully I already knew. Formally – yes, but my conviction then and now is that every man and every creature has a talent. The talent is like a bank loan. You pay it out all your life. Who are you to charge the great artist with the burdens of the day? You tag the label to him and start pressing.

-        – What God has made Man should not destroy – Lyubo used to say.

I want to display in my gallery the ascension and the evolution of the plastic arts expression in Bulgaria after Galin Malakchiev. About 10 authors who overcame the walkers of the plot and the figure. Their language is rich enough to inspire a feeling and presence without any lettered canvas. I hope they will help me achieve it.