The most common objects in hands creative people can turn into unique works of art. Inspiration comes from rice, coffee, balloons and even old typewriters. In our review are 10 real art masterpieces made from what everyone has on hand.

1. Coffee

Sunshine Plata from Manila (Philippines) creates whimsical paintings - instead of the usual oil or acrylic paint she uses coffee. Inspired by the exhibition artwork Made from coffee in the 19th century, Plata used coffee to create delightful paintings of fairies and religious figures. Sunshine's paintings turned out to be so unique and beautiful that 25 of 32 pieces were sold at her first exhibition.

2. Wire mesh

Ivan Lovett from Queensland, Australia creates amazingly realistic busts famous personalities, such as Salvador Dali, Bob Dylan and John Lennon, from ordinary wire mesh. It takes about three weeks to create one of these highly detailed busts.

3. Rice

Every year since 1994, in the small Japanese village of Inakadate, amazing images are created in the rice fields to attract tourists. Images in the fields are made using two types of rice: the Kodaimai variety with purple and yellow leaves, as well as "tsugaru-roman" with green leaves. Giant images are visible in the fields only in September, during the harvest season.

4. Typewriters

Jeremy Mayer creates anthropomorphic figures from parts from old typewriters. Metal creations are created without the aid of welding or glue. In some of his most big works contains parts for approximately 40 typewriters and takes about a thousand hours to build.

5. Sheets of writing paper

Peter Callesen creates incredible cut-out sculptures of skeletons and buildings from sheets of A4 paper. Thin white paper gives the sculptures a special fragility, which emphasizes the tragic and romantic themes of his works.

6. Balloons

New York artist Jason Hackevert uses thousands of colorful balloons to create amazing installations that resemble alien creatures. Each installation uses 3,000 balloons and takes up to 25 hours to create.

7. Smoke

Using a special high-speed camera, Graham Jeffrey makes amazing beautiful pictures smoke. The artist uses incense sticks as a source of smoke.

8. X-rays

Nick Vesey from Kent (England) turns everyday things into magnificent works of art by shining them with X-rays. Using an abandoned radar station in his studio, Visi creates stunning x-ray images of various animals, a DJ with a microphone in his hand, a man on a bicycle, a tractor, and even a bus full of people. But Vesey's most ambitious project is x-raying the 20,000-square-foot hangar that houses a Boeing 777 aircraft.

9. Electricity

Australian Peter Terren loves to play with electricity. He created an entire concept called “The Holy Art of Electrification.” Terren uses a Tesla coil he built himself, which fires plasma discharges. It is these electrical discharges that Terren photographs.

10. Food

Carl Warner took the top spot on this list for his unique depictions of landscapes using... food. The London-based photographer primarily uses vegetables, fruit and bread to create amazingly detailed dioramas, then photographs them.

There are also very unexpected decisions. This is what it looks like.

In the Catherine Palace in Pushkin there is a small room that is surrounded by many legends. Historians and treasure hunters are still struggling unsuccessfully to unravel the mystery of the Amber Room.

the site explains how and when the work of art was lost and where it may be located.

As a gift to Peter

The history of the Amber Room begins in 1701. It was then that the Prussian king Frederick I gave the task to the architect Andreas Schlüter to build an unusual cabinet. For 8 years, the walls of one of the palace premises were decorated with amber. In 1709, the Amber Room was ready. After some time, the poorly secured amber panels of the Berlin residence collapsed, which terribly angered Frederick I. For this, he even expelled the careless master from the country. After some time, Friedrich died, and the unique room was inherited by his son. But Friedrich Wilhelm did not appreciate the work of art and soon presented this cabinet as a gift to Russian Emperor Peter I. Peter Alekseevich appreciated the priceless gift, which he wrote with delight in a letter to his wife. In 1717, the Amber Room was delivered to St. Petersburg.

In 2003, for the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, the Amber Room was completely restored from Kaliningrad amber. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

In subsequent centuries, the room was expanded several times, the room acquired an even more perfect appearance. Such a famous master as Rastrelli had a hand in the changes. The Amber Room has noticeably increased in size. True, the panels quickly deteriorated due to frequent temperature changes, drafts and stove heating, so restorations were carried out there more than once in the 19th century. The next alteration was planned for 1941, but the war prevented this from happening.

Disappearance of a relic

In the fall of 1941, German troops came close to Leningrad. hidden treasures Catherine Palace ended up in the hands of robbers. As it turned out later, the Amber Room was not even prepared for evacuation. It seems that they tried to remove the panels, but due to the shedding of amber they stopped these attempts. And here German soldiers in just 6 hours the relic was disassembled and packed. They were eager to get the room in Berlin, but the Gauleiter of East Prussia, Erich Koch, was ahead of his rivals. By his order, boxes of amber were sent to Konigsberg and mounted in the local royal castle.

Former French President Jacques Chirac was delighted with the beauty he saw. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

In 1944, during a British air raid, the room could have burned down. But it could have been preserved, because shortly before this the panels were again dismantled and folded in one of the halls of the palace. In April 1945 the town and castle were occupied Soviet troops. Suddenly, a fire broke out in the ruins. Several mosaic elements were found among the ashes. One part was preserved by a German army officer. In 2000, this element was returned to Tsarskoye Selo. Further, historians have only numerous versions of the location of the Amber Room, since it disappeared without a trace. The fact is that not a single piece of glass was found in the ruins of Königsberg Castle, and massive glass panels were an integral part of the cabinet. Therefore, at least part of the room could be saved.

Taken to South America?

There are hundreds of versions where the Amber Room may be hidden. One of the most common is in the dungeons of Königsberg Castle. Hypotheses have been put forward that it burned in a fire and is stored in salt mines in East Germany, in other secret repositories. Some historians even claim that it was taken to America and is found in bank vaults or resting at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.

German and Soviet authorities even initiated large-scale excavations at the site of the destroyed Königsberg Castle in Kaliningrad, which took place over the course of decades. Allegedly, eyewitnesses were even found who claimed to have seen boxes of amber several days before the bombing of the city. And at the last moment they were hidden in the basements of the palace. The excavations did not bring any results, although archaeologists went 30 meters into the ground. There are absolutely fantastic versions that claim that the Nazis were able to take the unique panels to South America and the room is kept there in the hands of the descendants of the Germans who lost the war.

The investigation into the fate of the rarity has continued for many years, and mystery still surrounds this work of art.

Unique work of restorers

While restoring the Amber Room, Soviet and Russian restorers had to re-master the methods of processing amber. They faced enormous difficulties, because there were practically no color photographs of the decor. And the methods that German masters used to change the color of amber had to be rediscovered. The restorers successfully coped with this difficult task, which they solved for several decades!

In 2003, for the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, the Amber Room was completely restored from Kaliningrad amber. And today it is available for visiting in the Catherine Palace.

But those who continue to search for the authentic Amber Room are still far from success. This lost object attracts hundreds and hundreds of searchers, and thousands of people wonder where this unique treasure is hidden? After all, it is considered one of the most romantic objects in human history.

Deprived of the money of the “nouveau riche”, who made money by inflating financial bubbles, the markets for antiques, works of art and collectibles could seriously “sag.” And those who bought “eternal values” in the hope of making money will be very disappointed.

This week, the largest auction houses Christie's and Sotheby's are holding pre-auction exhibitions in Moscow. The number of “sensations” is amazing. Auctioneers and numerous experts are vying to convince the public that investing in art and antiques is the best protection against the crisis. This thesis is puzzling to say the least.

Christie's brought paintings intended for sale to Moscow Amedeo Modigliani, Edvard Munch and Edgar Degas. Christie's exhibits, among other things, the Impressionists - Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, as well as Wassily Kandinsky's Sketch for Improvisation No. 3, which has not been exhibited in Russia since 1910. And this fall, works by Malevich, Picasso, and Warhol will be sold, the auctioneers promise. Or they won’t be sold – depending on their current owners’ luck.

You will be lucky, because if you clear the markets of unique goods from verbal husks and ranting about “ eternal values” and “the most reliable investments”, it turns out that the market remains a market where the price is determined by the relationship between supply and demand. And in the face of declining demand and growing supply, prices have no choice but to fall. The first “bell” rang when Christie’s failed to sell the most expensive lot on offer at an auction held in early October in Hong Kong. Perhaps the “moment of truth” will come on November 3, when Christie’s auction takes place in New York.

Several things make us doubt the success of the upcoming auction. Firstly, the main characters of the last years The auctions included millionaires and billionaires from developing countries demonstrating rapid growth - Russia, India, China, and oil-rich Arab countries. " Russian art" - from Faberge eggs to works by Russian and Soviet avant-garde artists of the beginning of the century - sold like hot cakes from auctions and ended up in the collections of Russian participants in the Forbes list.

In the context of global asset inflation, or, more simply, in the context of the widespread inflation of financial bubbles, such purchases actually looked like good protection against the depreciation of money, since the demand for unique goods grew even faster than for oil or Gazprom shares. The problem is that billionaires around the world are suffering multi-billion dollar losses, and for many, the question of a virtual assessment of their personal wealth is no longer a question, but we're talking about about business rescue.

Russian regulars at major auctions were no exception. The “rainy day”, in case of which many people invested in unique goods, came for everyone at once. Or almost everyone. There are a few who managed to get rid of their shareholdings on time. But they, too, would rather buy up companies that can generate real profits for next to nothing, rather than invest in works of art or antiques, the prices of which are too subjective and dependent on fashion to give any guarantees. Hence the number of “unique” lots and the excitement that auctioneers are trying to stir up.

Billionaires will first have to pay back their billions (and millionaires have millions) before demand for works of art, collectibles or antiques (and 100-meter yachts, castles in Scotland, islands in Pacific Ocean and encrusted with diamonds Cell phones) will be restored. This process can take a long time.

However, for true connoisseurs and passionate collectors, on the contrary, a holiday begins: what they have dreamed of for years will be sold in a wide assortment for reasonable money. It just has nothing to do with investments.

Barmas of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, one of the most valuable royal regalia

Everyone knows such royal regalia as the Monomakh cap, scepter and orb, but many have not even heard of barmas. And, meanwhile, this is one of the most ancient symbols of power in Rus'.

Barmas are wide mantles with sacred images, decorated with precious stones. Until the time of Peter the Great, Russian sovereigns placed them on their shoulders both during royal weddings and on other solemn occasions.

Barms have been known in Rus' for a long time, dating back to the times of feudal fragmentation that arose after the collapse Kievan Rus. It is believed that the custom of wearing barmas came to us from Byzantium.

After Ivan III married Princess Sophia Palaiologos of Byzantium, the Greek Emperor Constantine XIX Monomakh gave him the Monomakh's Cap, a life-giving golden cross and barmas.
“The necklace, that is, of Saint Barma, that you put on your blanket.”

Since then, barmas have become an integral part of coronation regalia.
Unfortunately, what this precious jewelry looked like is unknown, since it has not been preserved.

Barmas were decorated either with embroidery or with precious medallions, which were sewn onto the round collar.
This wealth was worn like this:


Barmy Fedor Ioannovich

Barmas of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich

After the death of Mikhail Fedorovich, his eldest son Alexei was declared sovereign of all Rus' in 1645.

Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich

“In the summer of September 1645 at 28... the great sovereign king and Grand Duke Alexei Mikhailovich... deigned to be crowned with the royal crown of light and holy barmas, which is a diadem according to the ancient royal rank... And when the time came, the pious sovereign Tsar and Grand Duke Alexei Mikhailovich... sent from the Golden Plates to the state courtyard life-giving cross of the Lord and according to the holy barmas.... and throughout the entire royal rank of his sovereign boyar Vasily Ivanovich Streshnev... And they carried the royal rank from the state courtyard: Archpriest Stefan carried the holy life-giving cross of the Lord, in it was the tree of the holy life-giving cross of the Lord, and the saints the barm, which is the royal diadem, and the royal crown, which is the cap of Monomakh, and the gold cap, and carried on the head on a golden platter, under a precious shroud with precious stones, with great honor, with fear and trembling and with all reverence and decorum, and quietly and greenly harmonious.”


Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich with embroidered barma-mantle (fragment)

During his reign, the royal treasury was replenished with new coronation regalia made by the Greeks living in Istanbul - a scepter, an orb and barmas. Perhaps this is due to the fact that Greek jewelers from a Muslim country at that time were known in Rus' as first-class craftsmen.

Power. Istanbul, 1662 Gold, precious stones, pearls; casting, embossing, engraving, carving, niello, enamel, shotting. Scepter. Istanbul, 1658 Gold, precious stones, pearls; casting, embossing, engraving, carving, niello, enamel, shotting. Belonged to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich

Although some decorations color scheme the scepter and orb are made in Turkish artistic traditions - on a contrasting combination of green enamels and red rubies, their ornament includes scenes from the 12 most important Orthodox holidays: Annunciation, Nativity of Christ, Presentation, Baptism, Transfiguration, Raising of Lazarus, Entry into Jerusalem, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Assurance of the Apostle Thomas, Descent of the Holy Spirit, Ascension, and they are crowned with Orthodox crosses.

Barmas on the mantle of Constantinople (Istanbul). II half of the 17th century Gold, precious stones, mastic. Casting, chasing, engraving, enamel, carving. Belonged to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich

Barmas were a wide white silk collar decorated with medallions.
Their round gold plates, painted with bright multi-colored enamel, are framed in gold openwork frames, studded with sparkling rubies, diamonds, and emeralds. There are 500 medallions in total. precious stones, of which 248 are diamonds.

There are seven medallions in total, three of them are larger, four are smaller.

One large medallion stands out from all others in its shape and color scheme. Apparently, it should be in the center, and the other two, having a convex shape, should be on the shoulders.

The central medallion depicts the Mother of God sitting on a throne with Jesus Christ on her knees. Two angels hold a crown over her.

Wedding of the Blessed Virgin Mary

One of the shoulder medallions depicts a cross and Christian saints, the Byzantine emperor Constantine the Great and his mother Helen.

Finding of the Cross by Saints Constantine and Helena

Another medallion shows how Saint Mercury, in the guise of a warrior, defeats the persecutor of Christians, Emperor Julian the Apostate, with a spear.

St. Basil the Great and St. warrior Mercury striking an imp with a spear. Juliana

And four smaller medallions:

Singing Psalms by King David

world creation

Kings, apostles, righteous

Descent of the Holy Spirit

The Armory Chamber also houses a throne chair brought to the king as a gift by merchants. It was made by Persian craftsmen.

Iran, 1659. Gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, wood, fabric; casting, embossing, basma, front and decorative sewing, lacquer miniature on wood. Height: 161 cm. Width: 75.5 cm. Length: 51 cm. Belonged to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich

The base of the throne is made of sandalwood, and it is lined with plates of gold and silver, decorated with intricate patterns of precious stones. So many diamonds went to this throne that they began to call it “Diamond”.

On the back of the throne there is an inscription glorifying the king:
"To the mighty and invincible Muscovy Emperor Alexei, who reigns safely on earth, this throne, great art made, may it be a foreshadowing of eternal bliss to come in heaven. Summer of Christ 1659".
Having presented this gift to the king, the merchants hoped to ask him in return for the right to “duty-free trade,” however, the king did not agree to this and simply bought this throne from the merchants.

Today is International Day of Architecture. According to world tradition, it is celebrated on the first Monday of October. What do experts say about the new time? Will it save ancient city its architectural uniqueness? Vladimir Kosygin talks about this.

An ancient capital with its own appearance and character. The sum of the creative efforts of dozens of generations. This is what the famous academician and our fellow countryman Igor Stoletov said about Vladimir. Emphasizing: a historical city is not just a “set” of ancient buildings and structures. Strictly speaking, this is a unique work of art. Therefore, any sharp stroke can disrupt centuries-old harmony. At what stage is Vladimir now? In the new millennium?

According to Vladimir Pichugin, honorary chairman of the Vladimir Union of Architects, the regional center is growing, but still its historical part retains individuality. This short excursion is not accidental. It takes place on International Architecture Day. A holiday that has been celebrated on the first Monday of October for 20 years. Vladimir Pichugin is sure: this is the best reason to congratulate the city and its craftsmen.

“I would like to congratulate all the architects of the Vladimir region, wish them good orders. After all, the well-being of architects means good orders. Naturally, health. Because they need to be carried out by healthy people.”

"Architectural Vladimir" is expanding its scale. But the main advantage is the absence of large construction projects in the central part. There is a clear set of rules regarding the development of the historical core. So significant changes no, like no major reconstructions.

VLADIMIR PICHUGIN, HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF THE VLADIMIR UNION OF ARCHITECTS:“The legislation is regional regarding regulations on the historical core and adjacent territories. It somewhat stopped the beginning revelry. With the help of this legislation we are bringing it to life.”

It was possible to “bring people to their senses” and “appeal to common sense” in the 70s of the 20th century. Now it’s hard to believe, but the entire historical center was planned to be built up with Khrushchev buildings. Is it a joke, panel houses are side by side with the Golden Gate of the 12th century? The project of the Moscow Giprogor was brought down to Vladimir “from above” - as a direct guide to action. The Vladimir residents' weapons were a professional outlook and wisdom. "We defended it." And this is how Igor Stoletov recalled this in one of his last interviews.

IGOR STOLETOV, HONORARY ARCHITECT OF RUSSIA, TWICE WINNER OF THE STATE PRIZE OF RUSSIA, ACADEMICIAN OF ARCHITECTURE: “We did not argue, we understood the inadmissibility of this. From the Nikitsky Church, where we are now sitting, to the Golden Gate, according to this project there should have been 6 nine-story panel towers. This is what remains of Vladimir."

Modern experts emphasize that the opening of the pedestrian zone on Georgievskaya has become a landmark event. According to Vladimir Pichugin, the idea of ​​the “Vladimir Arbat” has been discussed for a long time. And he personally also dreamed of seeing it come true. Vladimir Evgenievich considers the opening of the Lybidska highway to be no less important. With the introduction of all the announced lines of the high road, Vladimir will be able to further reveal his inner space. Own world. A city filled with history.

Vladimir Kosygin, Ilya Khludov