PRESS RELEASE: SHADOWS IN THE CITY

PRESS RELEASE: SHADOWS IN THE CITY

MASONIC ART

PRESS RELEASE

Ari Roussimoff’s film “Shadows In The City” at MoMA

Craftsmen Online is pleased to announce that Bro. Ari Roussimoff of Consolidated Lodge No.31 will have his horror film “Shadows In The City” shown at MoMA from October 5-11, 2023.

PRESS RELEASE: SHADOWS IN THE CITY

Not seen in 30 years. MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art in New York is presenting international painter/filmmaker Ari Roussimoff’s 1991 Expressionist-Surreal-Horror-Art movie “Shadows In The City”. The film will run from October 5 to 11, 2023 at the museum, 11 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019.

MoMA has recently acquired Shadows In The City for its permanent collection and will be restoring it for preservation. The cast includes the final performances of legendary filmmakers Jack Smith and Emile de Antonio. The film also features Andy Warhol’s comedic superstar Taylor Mead, Annie Sprinkle, Valerie Caris, Clayton Patterson, Joe Coleman, Nick Zedd, Kembra Pfahler, Bruce Byron, Hollywood Horror Movie Scream Queen Brinke Stevens and many luminaries of the underground movements, art world and hard-core Biker culture.

Filmed over a seven year period in black and white on location throughout New York in Times Square, Coney Island and other locations, Shadows in the City follows a suicidal former freak show barker and Korean War Veteran’s emotional decline as he wanders the streets of the city, searching in vain for some type of salvation. As his daily routines involve experiences with prostitution, motorcycle clubs and urban crime, he is plagued by troubling memories and haunting visions from the past and from within.

See link below for MoMA website description:
https://www.moma.org/calendar/film/5630

Masonic Art

Ari Roussimoff’s first major Masonic painting, “Hiram’s Apron” made its debut at the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library and Museum of New York. In subsequent years, the Library exhibited numerous other of his Masonic artworks, such as “King Solomon’s Vision”, “Masonic Melody” and “A Ladder Through Life” which is currently on display at the Library.

Roussimoff’s Masonic triptych “Parable of Light and Dark” was on display at the Livingston Library for eight years. The triptych consists of three paintings which together are a symbolic depiction of Freemasonry from its legendary beginnings through to the present and into the future. The individual titles of each painting, chronologically, are 1. “Foundations”, 2. “Eclipse”, 3. “Rebirth”.

In March of 2013, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York sponsored a large retrospective exhibition of Roussimoff’s paintings in Masonic Hall (French Doric Room). The artist has given lectures both at the Livingston Library and at Mariners Lodge on the meanings of symbols as they appear in his Masonic themed paintings.

In around 2012, he together with his partner Vivian Forlander directed and produced a short promotional video for the library. As for motion pictures, Roussimoff has been contemplating doing a full length feature docu-drama film on Freemasonry.

Eclipse

Eclipse

MASONIC ART

Eclipse

by Bro. Ari Roussimoff

Painted Knights Templar Apron
This painting is titled “Eclipse” and hails from 2008. It is the middle piece of my three-painting Masonic triptych “Parable of Light and Dark”. On the left side is “Foundations” and on the Right is “Rebirth”. All three together tell one evolving and comprehensive story. In “Foundations” we see the growth of Freemasonry through time. From its legendary beginnings the composition proceeds upwards to the Medieval era with its chivalry and cathedrals.

Image: “Eclipse”, by Bro. Ari Roussimoff

At the top are prominent Masonic figures of literature, music and philosophy; Mozart, Pushkin, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, Voltaire. The middle painting in this group is “Eclipse” (described below). The last painting is “Rebirth” where the ruins are left behind and building finally resumes without interruption. Hiram Abiff and King Solomon appear in all three paintings. The entire triptych “Parable of Light and Dark” was prominently exhibited for eight years at the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library & Museum of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of New York.
Please note that I seldom explain any symbolic meanings in my work. But in the case of this painting I find it helpful to viewers. Eclipse is about individuals who search for light even under the most unfortunate circumstances. They take a unique journey within themselves, a journey that will eventually benefit all humankind.
Overseeing all is the All Seeing Eye of God, Creator of the universe who is the final and ultimate judge of everyone and everything. Troubles lurk below. Time may be running out. Attempts at escape can be futile. Destruction, deformity and death are a result of mindlessness, immorality and idolatry. There are tears and mourning amidst chaos and pandemonium as the earth in revenge, swallows up its inhabitants. But some never learn. Mobs of hysterical fanatics follow false Idols in the form of sweet talking demagogues who enrich themselves by promising empathy, reward, power and glory. The obliteration of history, beauty, compassion and righteousness becomes the result. Whatever is beautiful and constructive they destroy.
Yet amidst the mayhem is Melchizedek from the Book of Genesis. He has two sets of eyes. One pair belongs to the heart and soul. The other pair belongs to the mind. All four together constitute spirituality and wisdom. Melchizedek is of the centuries. He blesses the righteous. Facing in the direction of the light is the Master of a lodge. Beside him are men and women who convey hope, love, beauty, spirituality, art and philosophy. The tattooed man is prepared to do labour. A group of newly made Brothers envision a brighter future ahead while a sympathetic Jester accompanies their vision by playing a warm Masonic melody on his violin. Standing in the light and beside the altar with the Holy Bible on it are King Solomon and Hiram Abiff.

Written by Bro. Ari Roussimoff
www.Roussimoff.com
Consolidated Lodge #31 F. & A.M.
Manhattan, New York

Bro Ari Roussimoff
Apron of the Rose

Apron of the Rose

MASONIC ART

Apron of the Rose

Painted Masonic Apron by Bro. Ari Roussimoff

Painted Knights Templar Apron
Each time I create a painted Masonic Apron, I intend for it to be a statement in more ways than one. In other words I like to meld the great traditions of historic Masonic aprons with my own feelings and ideas as an artist. This way the great Masonic history of aprons is being brought into the here and now and therefore also into the future. For me to merely imitate the old aprons would not be achieving anything because those old aprons stand quite well on their own. My aim is to contribute by not abandoning a most inspiring and profound tradition.
Image: “Apron of the Rose”, Painted Masonic Apron by Bro. Ari Roussimoff
One of the things I very much like about Freemasonry is that symbols can be interpreted in different and also intimately personal ways. Masonic iconography seems to have a special strength which speaks to both the heart and mind. Rather than me explaining any meanings behind this particular artwork, I will leave it to the viewer to interpret it as they see it. Frankly, I feel this way about much of my work. And Masonry actually confirms my approach as a painter.

Written by Bro. Ari Roussimoff
www.Roussimoff.com
Consolidated Lodge #31 F. & A.M.
Manhattan, New York

Bro Ari Roussimoff
Rebirth

Rebirth

MASONIC ART

Rebirth

by Bro. Ari Roussimoff

“Rebirth” is the title of this painting from 2008. It is the right side panel of my three-painting Masonic triptych titled “Parable of Light and Dark.”
Painted Knights Templar Apron

The Left side panel is named “Foundations” and the middle panel is “Eclipse.” The entire three painting triptych symbolizes the different stages in the life of Freemasonry. These are represented by the legendary origins, the periods of transitional realities and last, the prospective future. This optimistic artwork was prominently exhibited for eight years at the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library & Museum of the Grand Lodge of New York. Images of this exhibit are below.

In “Rebirth,” I show civilization being rebuilt after it had been self-destroyed by centuries of neglect and wrongdoing. At the bottom and amidst the ruins is Master Craftsman Hiram Abiff alongside King Solomon, who like Noah before him, releases a dove out into the future to determine if the time to start building is near. Underneath the winding staircase stands a woman carrying the scales of justice. She is voluptuous, as is truth.

Image: “Rebirth,” right side panel of triptych “Parable of Light and Dark” by Bro. Ari Roussimoff
Pictured: Bro. Ari Roussimoff at the Livingston Library gallery display of his art.
To her left is the mystical priest Melchizedek (King of Righteousness) from the Book of Genesis. He has two sets of eyes, as his vision is deeply spiritual. One pair of eyes represent the soul and heart and the other two eyes represent the mind which is composed of thought, logic and intellect. Holding the Masonic compass, Melchizedek has given his blessing to building up a new and better world. Its foundation would be the great virtues and accomplishments of the old world which subsequently had been needlessly pummeled into ruins. At the very top is the All Seeing Eye of God the Creator, our ultimate judge.

Written by Bro. Ari Roussimoff
www.Roussimoff.com
Consolidated Lodge #31 F. & A.M.
Manhattan, New York

Bro Ari Roussimoff
Hiram’s Apron with King Solomon

Hiram’s Apron with King Solomon

MASONIC ART

Hiram’s Apron with King Solomon

by brother ari roussimoff

Hiram’s Apron with King Solomon

My very first painting to be devoted exclusively to a Masonic theme was titled Hiram’s Apron (now in a collection in Japan). It made its public debut at the Chancellor Robert. R. Livingston Masonic Library and Museum where it was prominently exhibited for several years. The metaphor of Hiram pointing towards his Apron against a background showing civilization in transition has been the subject of several of my paintings. In my view, the symbolic meanings behind the picture are a major component of Masonic philosophy and teachings. In a nutshell, people of all backgrounds, without ever abandoning their own individuality, have come together to mutually build a better world. It is all about life, obligations, responsibility, faith, love, brother and sisterhood, death and eventually the hereafter when everyone must face the consequences of how they chose to live their lives.

To emphasize both a humanity and universality of the person and the ideals, I change the physical appearance of Hiram in each of my representations of him. My second version of Hiram’s Apron was chosen to represent Freemasonry on an official government issued postage stamp for the country of Benin. Here now on Craftsmen Online, you are seeing the third version of the Hiram’s Apron theme where I have added the figure of King Solomon since his role was pivotal to everything that transpired. Incidentally, this particular painting of Hiram Abiff with King Solomon was featured in the 2013 retrospective three week exhibition of my artwork held in the French Doric Room of Masonic Hall of the Grand Lodge of New York on 23rd Street in Manhattan.

 

Masonic Apron

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