Old Russian Worlds... by anahata.c
Close
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
Description
Found this tonight...I may have uploaded this a ways back, but I can't remember. so I'll give it another try...I think I was going for '3 globes'. Anyway, hope you like it. (And it's big, if you feel like zooming...)
Thanks for your visits, and I wish you all a peaceful, inspired sunday!
m
(I know! My grandmother had all kinds of glass-balls with villages inside---you know, the ones you shake, and snow falls? That's what inspired this! God, I dropped one when I was 5, and was so upset---it was from Russia, and was my grandmother's favorite---I didn't come home for hours...big mistake...When I got home, my grandmother said, "I don't care about the ball: I care about you!" She shook me: "Don't stay away so long: We worry!!!" She also had magical matryoshka dolls ((dolls within dolls within dolls)), and a massive silk doily, and breathtaking, dark floral shawls draped everywhere---I mean they were on everything, you couldn't sit without touching one, and they were about as Russian as you could get. I expected cossacks to jump out and dance on their knees! She made casseroles so heavy, one bite was enough for 3 weeks (and you were lucky if you moved your bowels once in that time)...and my grandfather---the only driver in their home---was so short, he could barely see over the steering wheel: a 70 year old man who looked like a kid playing in his daddy's car....The whole neighborhood was flooded with Russian immigrants from WWII, and the place had a dark and sad feeling...but when they played music and sang, it was like being in a Russian village: It roared and rocked and was like fireworks. Also, the local restaurants served the heaviest food in the history of the universe, and I remember that many of the immigrants sat alone, and their postures---bent and supremely private---etched-out this unapproachable 'space' around them, this sacred invisible veil that they wrapped themselves in...I asked Gramps, "why do they sit like that??" And he said, "when you've seen what they've seen, you'll understand..." The greatest shock was how incredibly kind they were when you spoke to them. One man (with large scars) said "I met Stalin." I asked Gramps "who's Stalin???" And Gramps (very sad) said, "another day, Mark, you're too young....just enjoy the food!" The food was heavenly. Way too much fat, way too much starch, and heavy enough to build a bridge out of: But back then? Heavenly...Then we'd go home and Grandma would take out her glass balls w/ the snow and tiny villages...that's the world this image comes from...)
---------------
Comments (14)
Wolfenshire
This was the first thing in my activity feed. The colors jumped right out at me. A lot of people collect marble and glass balls, though I'm not certain what the attraction is, I'm good with a big bowl of chocolate truffles on the coffee table.
goldie
These "balls" are wonderful in their flowing designs and vibrant colors...a wonderful remembrance commentary too :) By your description, is sounds like your grandmother was a true mensch. My mother was also from Russia and was taken by the Nazis at the age of 17 to be a translator for them...she could take very little of her personal belongings when she was ripped from her family by those monsters...the world was a terrible place during WWII...when I hear people complaining today about the "stay at home" orders and not being able to go to the movies, bars, etc., I think you fools, you haven't any idea what real, long-lasting deprivation of social activities is REALLY like, and when just staying alive was all that was on your mind.
eekdog
yeah when we are kids we pick up thing we should not and end up breaking them, great captures of manips Mark. such radiant colors on the spheres. a great way to remember a loved one and history from back then. thank for sharing the story and images my friend. agree with Barb on these people, lets still play it safe.
bugsnouveau
Wonderful story with this beautiful work. The middle one is especially tasty even though it is made of glass
goodoleboy
Balls! said the queen; if I had two I'd be king! Great color and image manipulation in this glorious presentation, Mark. Stellar blendings of color here. The balls remind me of planets in a way. My dad was from Russia, and barely escaped being drafted into the tsar's army, maybe even the cossacks. This was way before World War II, the world a terrible place back then, and equally terrible now with the deadly pandemic. At least you could see the enemy back then, now it's invisible, except to microscopes. But I digress. I remember just one ball with snow flakes my family had when I was a kid, which was really enjoyable to shake and observe.
bakapo
These are beautiful and your memories of your Grandparents are beautiful, too. I love hearing your stories. I wish I had more memories of my Polish family; Grandpa died when I was one and Grandma spoke very, very little English. She died when I was eight, so I never really had much of a relationship with her.
Snowglobes are fascinating, we collected small plastic ones when my daughter was small... sadly, the water dried up in all of them. The top one is rainbow-colored and very happy with a dolphin splashing around in the foreground. The middle one is more subdued but the colors are very appealing and calming. There's a snow-covered mountain in the background, waiting for spring. The bottom one is screaming, "Rejoice! It's spring and the world is warm, no more snow on the mountains!" :)
donnena
interesting images, wonderful history!!
rbowen
Wonderful work and story! Thank you for sharing!
Richardphotos
outstanding artwork Mark and I love the rush of colors. I have seen the Russian style dolls before here
crender
Excellent !
UteBigSmile
Wonderful story with this beautiful work dear Marc! Have a great new week and take care!!
RodS
These are wonderful, Mark! I love all the vibrant colors - they really help lift my spirits, and they need all the help they can get right now... Fighting off depression a bit right now, and I'm soooo far behind on comments. Feeling a little better today.
helanker
OH yes, I remember these. With a figure of a plant inside. I loved them then and i love them now. My grandmother has some solid flatter Glass stones with a photo inside or maybe just placed on the botton of it.. I was very fascinated looking at them. You have a sweet memory of your grandma, It is worth alot :)
dragongirl
In your story, everything comes so alive. Thank you for letting us be there with you. It was wonderful.