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Liudmila Kondakova - Cinema Odeon
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"The works are painted to give off an aura, drawing and holding the viewer’s gaze while teasing his imagination, and sparking an insatiable, child-like curiosity."
In Athens in the 5th Century B.C., Buildings that were used for musical performances were knows an "odeons." So, it is appropriate that today, the Cinema Odeon is the chosen name for a very popular chain of movie houses in Paris, Rome and the United Kingdom. In this work, Liudmila Kondakova has chosen one of these theaters as the centerpiece of an overall dazzling image of a Parisian street at nighttime.
Lit internally by the warm glow of its lobby lights and, externally by decorative hanging iron lampposts and bright fluorescent signage, Cinema Oden is a shining example of how Kondakova has mastered the intricacies of light and color to create the magical experience that is a Parisian evening. Her employment of deep reds and blues speaks a language all its own and literally makes the image come alive. At the same time, her warm oranges invite us to investigate beyond the delicate iron-worked windows of this charming building. Adding to the nostalgia is the artist’s inclusion of antiques theater posters. While they may grace an era that has passed, they also serve to remind us of a way of life that was and still is desirable.
There are no people in this enchanting scene, but perhaps it is because, as Kondakova says, she prefers to establish an intimate bond between her viewer and the place she has chose to paint. She has certainly succeeded in creating that treasured connection in Cinema Odeon.
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