On April 25th, 2012, four significant celebrations are coming together in Venice: National Liberation Day, Saint Mark's Day (patron saint of the city), Festa del Bocolo, in which Venetian men give a rosebud to the women they love; and the 100th anniversary of the retoration of the world famous bell tower of Venice, the centre-piece of Staint Mark's Square known as Campanilla.
In her special Campanilla for All Seasons series of fine art photography, Inna Rogatchi is having a close look at one of the architectural wonders in the world.
Inna Rogatchi's works on display at the Luna Hotel Baglioni in Venice, April-May 2012.
In this collection, Inna examines this unique historic landmark from various points of view: how it defines the space around itself; what does it tell us in the matter of endless games of light and shadow; how it changes between day and night; what we can see in and around the bell tower closely or from afar...
Inna Rogatchi's Campanilla Sound II, 2012 work at the display.
Campanilla for All Seasons is a luxurious limited edition series (of 10) authored pigment digital prints on cotton paper, and it has become a focal point of this special commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the restoration of Campanilla in Venice.
Inna Rogatchi. Campanilla Message I, 2012
The long-awaited event of the opening of the Public Jewish Library in Vilnius, Lithuania brought a lot of warmth amidst the winter cold weather to the many people gathered in the capital of Lithunia to celebrate the opening of this institution, the first of the kind after the Second World War.
The project materialised thanks to the attentive stand and policy of the Lithuanian government on the initiative and with the vast support of Lithuanian parliament members led in this initiative by Petras Austrevicius. It has been a unique story in which the private initative of the American cultural personality Wyman Brent, who had been working hard and enthusiastically to make his dream true, was met with such understanding and support by the state of Lithuania.
The opening of the Library has become a very memorable event for the many people gathered there, and the music played an unparalleled role in that event. Famous Lithuanian composer Anatolis Senderovas created for the extraordinary event a similarly extra-ordinary piece of music based on an old Yiddish-song's score which had been found in the archives while the work for the library opening was in progress. As far as it is known, this is the only existing copy of the score which has survived by a miracle - given the tragic destiny of the 160,000 Jews of Vilnius, 95% of whom were exterminated by the Nazis and their collaborators in the first phase of the Holocaust.
Prominent Lithuanin musicians performing the beautiful and dramatic music by maestro Senderovas at the opening of the Library
Courtesy: The Rogatchi Foundation (C)
Anatolis Senderovas is one of the most famous modern composers who performs all over the world. His devotion to the Jewish theme has received new development in many of his new works. Anatolis Senderovas and Inna and Michael Rogatchi are planning to work together on some new international projects in the near future:
Anatolis Senderovas and Michael Rogatchi at the opening ceremony
Courtesy: The Rogatchi Foundation (C)
Michael and Inna Rogatchi participating in the opening ceremony and donating their works to the Library:
Minister of Culture of Lithuania Arunas Gelunas and Inna Rogatchi at the ceremony
Courtesy: The Rogatchi Foundation (C)
Michael Rogatchi and his Yiddish Sun
Courtesy: The Rogatchi Foundation (C)
In their joint opening remarks, co-founders of The Rogatchi Foundation said the following:
The inaugural ceremony of the opening of the Public Jewish Vilnius Library has become one of the most remarkable cultural and public events of the year for many of its attendees from all around the globe.
The Rogatchi Foundation will continue its support of this valuable initiative and will happily work in close cooperation with the Library in order to make it an internationally appreciated and significant institution.
The quote from VILNIUS NEWS information resource:
This couple has played a major role in supporting and contributing to the library from their Helsinki location, Inna Rogatchi and Michael Rogatchi from The Rogatchi Foundation
On December 12th, 2011, in a warm and engaging ceremony, the Rogatchi Foundation, its co-founders and members of the board, along with the members of The Rogatchi Foundation Board and International Advisory Board, and their long-term partners in charity activities from the Cancer Society of the South-Western Finland, were celebrating the 60th anniversary of that very special charity organisation.
The ceremony was opened by Dr Matti Koivurinta, the founder of ABOA VENTUS & ARS NOVA MUSEUM and the chairman of The Matti Koivurinta Foundation.
Dr Matti Koivurinta opens Inna Rogatchi's From The Window Of Mercy And Joy Art Photography Exhibition, December 12, 2011, Turku, Finland.
Courtesy: The Rogatchi Foundation, (C) 2011-
"Inna Rogatchi's art photography works are highly acclaimed internationally, and we are very glad and happy to have these works here in the premises of the Cancer Society of the South-Western Finland which is a known center for many cultural, social and public activities. And we very highly value Inna's contribution. Those works are designed, done and selected for the specific purposes of providing psychological comfort to those people, and many of them, sadly, who have been affected by this merciless disease. But additional to that, as one can see, this wholesome collection as if breathing of philosophical poetry, and this is the most essential impression that one gets from Inna's works presented here; the impression which stays with us", - said Dr Matti Koivurinta in his opening speech.
Dr Inna Rogatchi and Dr Matti Koivurinta at the opening ceremony, December 12, 2011, Turku, Finland.
Courtesy: The Rogatchi Foundation, (C), 2011-
"It happens that some works of art have special effects on the audience, sometimes, even surprisingly for artists who have created them. But it is a different story when an artist is seeing his or her task as meticulous and conscious effort to create such pieces of art that would have some 'pre-designed' effect as its essential element. It makes the whole creative process special", - said Inna Rogatchi.
The event included the donation by Michael Rogatchi of one of his most lyrical and well-known art works, Le Gitane: Song to the Sun, to the Cancer Society, in commemoration of its outstanding activities and its ongoing help to so many people both inside and outside Finland.
Artist Michael Rogatchi.
Courtesy: The Rogatchi Foundation, (C), 2011-
"I believe that this kind of work which is as if 'singing hope', as if its goes from inside many human beings, would suit the new premises of Meri-Karina, a very well known multi-functional centre run by the Cancer Society, and will send the message of hope and enlightenment to people who are either living or visiting here", - said the artist whose several works are already in the highly rated art collection of the Cancer Society of the South-Western Finland.
The ceremony was attended by the former Governor of Turku and South-Western Finland, Dr of Philosophy, h.c. Pirkko Työläjärvi, well-known actress and director, Doctor of Arts, h.c., Maija-Liisa Marton, general manager of the Cancer Society of the South-Western Finland Dr of Medicine, h.c. Kari Ojala, and many others.
Leena Koivurinta and Governor emeritus Dr Ph h.c. Pirkko Työläjärvi attending the ceremony. December 12th, 2011, Turku, Finland.
Courtesy: The Rogatchi Foundation (C), 2011-
There was much interest and a very positive response from the public to the collection From the Window of Mercy and Joy: "It is not just very beautiful works. The Light is as if getting out of them and is getting palpable here, in this place. Living in the harsh climate conditions of Finland, we are used to looking out for every single piece of grass that is getting through the concrete; we used to cherish these pieces, and treasure them. And your works are bringing the same message right here and right now, but in much more powerful way and form. Heartful thank you for that!" - was the address from the Finnish public to Inna Rogatchi.
Art collectors Mr Ilkka and Mrs Marja Reunamo were among the guests of the vernissage. December 12, 2011, Turku, Finland.
Courtesy: The Rogatchi Foundation, (C), 2011-
More on the topic: Inna Rogatchi's Art Photography - From the Window of Mercy and Joy exhibition and collection.
In September 2011, Michael Rogatchi and The Rogatchi Foundation took part in the special art event, Symbolism in the Jewish Art of Turku (more detail in News and Highlights Events). The Event has been organised by the Jewish Community of Turku, and according to the community's chairman Tomer Huhtamäki, this special art event "has become the community's contribution to the programme of celebrating Turku as the culture capital of Turku in 2011".
The event organised on September 25th, 2011 in the 100-year-old Turku Synagogue comprised an exhibition of art works of Michael Rogatchi, and two more members of the Jewish community of Turku, Gila Seera and Tomer Huhtamäki.
Tomer Huhtamäki, Gila Seera and Michael Rogatchi at the Symbolism in the Jewish Art of Turku event, September 2011.
Photo © Inna Rogatchi
Courtesy: The Rogatchi Foundation
The defence minister of Finland Mr Stefan Wallin has become the patron of the event. He said in his address: "The Special Art Event Symbolism in the Jewish Art of Turku is one of the pearls in this year's programme of the culture capital of Europe. The extraordinary talent of the exhibiting artists happily coincides here with rare historic features of this building. The beautiful Synagogue of Turku provides perfect opportunity for the art lovers to get some glimpses into the Jewish symbolism through its art. I feel very proud to be the official patron of this exhibition, in particular".
Symbolism in the art works of Gila Seera (Send In Clown), Tomer Huhtamäki (Blessing on Destroying Enemies), and Michael Rogatchi (Sarah, from The Matriarchs series).
Photos & Collage : Inna Rogatchi ©
Courtesy: The Rogatchi Foundation
The European Union greetings on behalf of its culture, media and education committee were conveyed to the public by the commission's senior member, MEP Hannu Takkula. In his address, he emphasised: "This is a highly important event providing the possibility for the wider public to get to know and to understand the Jewish world, its culture and meaning, and to see it all first-hand. This is the very meaning of the idea of making particular European cities the culture capitals of Europe. We can see today as these efforts are bringing the immediate but also long-standing results".
Chairman of the Turku Jewish Community Tomer Huhtamäki, MEP Hannu Takkula, Gila Seera, and Michael Rogatchi at the Special Art Event in Turku, September 2011.
Photo : Inna Rogatchi ©
Courtesy: The Rogatchi Foundation
The event has been attended enthusiastically, with a very large number of people turning up, including former governor of Southern-Western Finland Pirkko Työläjärvi, many top scientists, and representatives of culture and media world. The Special Art Event has also prompted several further culture ideas, including more art exhibitions, seminars and panels, in series of events to mark the 100th anniversary of the Turku Synagogue to be celebrated in May 2012.
Inna Rogatchi © The Covenant III. Turku Synagogue. Finland. 2011. The Route - and The Roots collection. Limited Edition
Private View and Vernissage of Rogatchi's Blues, the inaugural exhibition of The Life of Two of Us and Melody for Two series by Michael Rogatchi - Florence, Italy, Palazzo Cioffi-Jacometti, May 4-5, 2011.
Michael Rogatchi is presenting his The Life of Two of Us and Melody for Two series at the inauguaral exhibition in Florence, May 2011.
Photo: Riccardo Bartallucci. © The Rogatchi Foundation
Photo: Riccardo Bartallucci. © The Rogatchi Foundation
Photo: Riccardo Bartallucci. © The Rogatchi Foundation
Photo: Riccardo Bartallucci. © The Rogatchi Foundation
Photo: Riccardo Bartallucci. © The Rogatchi Foundation
Photo: Riccardo Bartallucci. © The Rogatchi Foundation
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