Russian libraries: Exposition “Moscow Art Theater and library. Book and stage” in Moscow

February 2, 2011 the Russian State Art Library in Moscow opened the exposition “Moscow Art Theater and Library Book and stage” in the Reader Museum.

The Reader Museum is the unique project presenting library as a creative laboratory where the works of art are created via cooperation of librarian and reader. The first exposition opened in December 2009 and covered the history of library foundation, established in the Maly Theater in 1921.

The new exposition is dedicated to the creative cooperation between the A. P. Chekhov Moscow Art Theater and the Library.

The exposition highlights a number of rarities: books with autographs by leading figures of the Art Theater and Russian literature: A. P. Chekhov, K. S. Stanislavskiy, V. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko.

There are also the unique documents: book requests by stage directors I. Ya. Sudakov, O. N. Efremov, actors B. N. Livanov, V. M. Nevinny, artists K. F. Yuon, B. A. Messer and other outstanding figures of the theater.

Archive materials are also of interest: library pass of E. Ya. Urbanskiy, requests and photographs of the students of the University under the Moscow Art Theater, who have become famous actors: O. V. Basilashvili, A. V. Romashin, T. V. Doronina.

The exhibits demonstrate the effective work of librarians on selecting books, magazines, gravures, lithographs, postcards and photos for well-known readers.

Among the most valuable exhibits are original theater costumes created by designers V. Ya. Golovin and A. N. Benua, provided by the University from its collections.

The exposition takes not just a traditional form but is supplemented by virtual option demonstrating materials which have not been included into the core exposition and represent a great cultural interest.