<\/p>\n
Clear skies, pastoral scenery, pastel colorfulness, tranquility, softness and calm.
\nThis is the initial impression that might be formed from a quick glance at the
\nworks of Michael Yakhilevich in the series, An Air Raid Siren. But upon second
\nlook it becomes clear that the tranquility is not tranquility at all, the calm is not
\ncalm, and the same is true of the quiet and pastoral atmosphere. And though all
\nof these \u201ccalming\u201d elements do in fact appear on the painting surface, it quickly
\nbecomes clear that these exist there only apparently, as a deception, a mirage.
\nThe soft, pastel colorfulness is revealed as a hazy cover for the quiet nightmare
\nthat is hiding beneath the surface. The tension existing in the works is not
\nscreaming, but reveals itself by way of minor details: the half-open shelter door,
\nsmall figures of people sprawled out on the ground, the intersections and streets
\nthat are empty of people and cars. Even if sometimes we see some vehicles,
\nthey appear stuck in traffic jams: imprisoned as if between endless cement walls.
\nThe effect of time that has stopped is revealed both in the absence of
\nactive human beings in this silent drama, and in their presence. The reality
\nstricken by the nightmare reveals itself through the movements of the
\nfigures who cover their heads with their hands, through the shadows of
\npeople running toward the shelter, and through the small figures who
\nseem to have forgotten themselves at bus stations in God-forgotten cities.
\nSo what is this place? It seems that these are the faces of terror created with
\ncolorful pastels. These are the faces of the nightmare, and it seems, our faces
\nas well, during an air raid siren.
\nBut despite all the drama, Yakhilevich\u2019s picture will never become a na?ve
\nillustration. Yakhilevich\u2019s works will always maintain their painting quality.
\nBehind these works lie compositions that were meticulously constructed, and
\nthe precision of shape and colorfulness attest to the persistent inner search in
\nthe infinite depths of the dimensions of painting.
\nIn fact, in the context of this series, it seems that one could surely compare Michael
\nYakhilevich to a diver who descends to the depths of his paintings, and from
\nthere, from the place of hypnotic movement of color and shape, there is no doubt:
\nHe really does hear the wail of The Air Raid Siren!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Clear skies, pastoral scenery, pastel colorfulness, tranquility, softness and calm. This is the initial impression that might be formed from a quick glance at the works of Michael Yakhilevich in the series, An Air Raid Siren. But upon second look it becomes clear that the tranquility is not tranquility at all, the calm is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":191,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1001","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n