The Garikow Project

The Garikow Project Gains Momentum

2010-05-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

I believe it's fairly common that the busier one gets, the less time we devote to blogging. So, I will make more of an effort to keep this blog active throughout the weeks and months to come. There is a boatload of new information to share about The Garikow Project.

Today, May 16, 2010, I return to my blog more inspired than ever from the Pennwriters Conference held in Lancaster this weekend. Although it more applicable to the fiction writers, I was able to get a few great pieces of information regarding the world of nonfiction which will be very beneficial in the months to come.

I have some great news about The Garikow Project and how it's progress has grown within the last year. Here we go: First, I completed my first nonfiction book proposal after finishing an online writing course last summer. It took approximately four months from start to finish to knock out the proposal. By the middle of August 09 the proposal had been revised a few times, and I felt like it was time to test the waters. I was ready to submit.

I studied the Writer's Market for quite a while in order to come up with a quasi-marketing plan. My first approach was to query University Presses. During the last four months of the year, I send out a dozen proposals to my top 12 choices. Alas, I joined the ranks of writers who had their first proposal rejected. I believe I'm in good company. I wish I would've known back then what I just learned at the writing conference.

...more to follow...

The Garikow Project Moves Forward

2009-01-13T12:29:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2009 - It's been a year since joining forces with Martin and about six months since Arnold came onto the scene. This year's focus for me will not be to help market Garikow's art collection but to write a book proposal and have a publisher pick it up.

Writing the definitive biography for Ivan Garikow is an extremely exciting and wonderful opportunity for me. The non fiction book will be used as a promotional device for us to further our mission and get us one step closer to informing the art world of Garikow's paintings.

Public recognition for Ivan Garikow is our ultimate goal in order to position ourselves in a way that should the right investors come along a permanent exhibition of Ivan's paintings will be realized.

During the first two weeks of January, I have been able to get Ask/ART.com to include Ivan Garikow in their Art index. This is a big step for Garikow as their site has more than 70,000 hits daily. A photo of Ivan and his Saltzburg Lady are there plus a short biography of Garikow.

Click on this link: http://www.askart.com/AskART/index.aspx
Then type: GARIKOW in the top right box.

...more to follow...

The Garikow Project - November 08 Update

2008-11-10T07:36:00.000-08:00

Busy time this time of the year for me. After summer vacation, I have to put on the Professor cap as I start another academic year as an Adjunct Professor of Communications at York College, York, PA. From Mid August until approximately the middle of October is the time it takes me to shift gears and get in the teacher mode.

In busy times regular blogging takes a back seat.

After a meeting that took place in Dallastown, PA with Martin, Lana (Ivan's ex-sister in-law and only know person who had known Ivan on a personal level), her husband Charles and my wife Barbara in attendance, The Garikow Project has been relatively calm afterward.

Having interviewed Lana three times since the beginning of the year, it was nice to cordinate a meeting with Lana and Martin the owner of The Garikow Collection.

As the holiday season is upon us. I will be thinking ahead to 2009 and what our action plan should entail. Martin is unavailable at the present time and I am working on my marketing plan primarily.

Here is a picture of Lana and Martin, the Curator viewibng Garikows painting of "The Three Sisters" which Lana owns privately.

Please visit our online Art Gallery at: www.garikow.com.

Here is a 10 minute promo video about Ivan. Please watch: http://photoshow.comcast.net/watch/Cg9Wb4fY

...more to follow...

Journaling The Garikow Project

2008-09-14T19:31:00.001-07:00

September 14, 2008

There has been sizable growth in the momentum of this project from the start which was initiated during the early days of January 2008.

So much has happened in such a short period of time. In short, The Eurisko Art Foundation headed by Martin McDermott, the Curator, has partnered with Arnold Garikow, Ivan's son, and yours truly in a five year mission to promote the art of Russian Painter Ivan Garikow.

Our mission is to promote Ivan Garikow, the man, his art, and his culture. Finding a permanant home for his paintings and securing his rightful place among the greatest artists of the Modern Age is the Foundation's long term goal.

In the first six months since I have been involved, the Ivan Garikow website has been restyled and revised. Continuing research regarding the man's life in Russia, Austria, and Philadelphia has become the central focus.

It is time for the art world to welcome a master painter who had been thought to be lost and gone forever. Through our efforts we hope that the Garikow legacy will be securely established and people all over the world will be able to enjoy the art work of Ivan.

The painting shown here is perhaps Garikow's best known work. "The Saltzburg Lady" painted in 1949 has become one of his most recognized paintings.

Please visit www.garikow.com to learn more about the Life of Ivan Garikow...

...more to follow...

Ivan Garikow: Rediscovered Master

2008-07-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

It's Official...5 Year Agreement!

2008-06-29T20:32:00.001-07:00

THIS JUST IN -

The Garikow Project is anxious to begin July '08.

What is it? - Visit www.garikow.com

View this 10 minute promo video:
http://photoshow.comcast.net/watch/Cg9Wb4fY

...More to follow...

The Garikow Project

2008-05-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

When the work load gets hectic, blogs are the first to be ignored. It has been more than a month since I finished a simple biography about Ivan Garikow.

Since I began, I received only2 comments. Is the time spent here blogging worth the minutes and eventually the hours to tell this story? I byde it. Translation: I endure it.

I am about to begin phase 2 of the blogging experience. So much has happened within the last 30 days. First, we launched a new website called The Work of Ivan Garikow. I invite you to explore the site. It is awesome! Even though I may be a bit bias.

The site is composed of about five sections: The Eurisko Art Foundation, Ivan's Biography (which is the revised bio that I had posted here), Garikow's Gallery of Art, The Lost Collection (which is an abbreviated version of a feature story that answers the question "how was Garikow's art work discovered), and a standard Contact page.

This site will be updated regularly as we continue to document Ivan's life. Our purpose is to secure a permanant home for the Garikow collection and to help secure Ivan's legacy as one of the greatest painters of the Modern Age.

Please visit: www.garikow.com

...more to follow

Ivan Dies in his Sleep

2008-04-23T07:18:00.000-07:00

In March and April of 1978, the break-ins continued and his home suffered continued vandalism. Eventually, Ivan became totally despondent and reclusive. The only journeys from his home were to work.

In the early 1980’s, paranoia had become his final cocoon. No one was welcomed into his home, with the exception of his son, Arnold.

On April 26, 1982, at the age of 64, hopelessly defeated and completely bed-ridden from ill health, Ivan Garikow died in his sleep.

Although the death certificate cited dehydration and malnutrition as the cause of death, his true demise was an unfortunate result of a lifetime of desolation, depression and despair.

Arnold believes his father died of a broken heart.

Ivan's Misfortunes: The Beginning of the End

2008-04-15T19:56:00.000-07:00

During the 1960’s, Newman Galleries initiated a restoration program for art works and historical documents which eventually became so successful it attained national prominence and attention. These restorative techniques and procedures allowed Newman Galleries to work with art at the Washington, D.C. Art Museum, the Philadelphia Art Museum and many other public and private collectives throughout the United States.

Although the Newman Galleries successes were great, Ivan’s personal life went from one disaster to another. Family members constantly tried to convince him to sell his property in Philadelphia and move; however, he remained adamant in his resolution that divine guidance would intervene and the discovery of his true talent was soon be realized.

But alas, his misfortunes continued to occur. On September 25, 1971 another mugging took place. In 1972, his home and gallery was broken into and three of his oil paintings were stolen. Another burglary occurred in 1974 with six more paintings stolen.

Ivan finally confided to his son, Arnold, “There have been many break-ins at my home over the past years. Whoever broke in this last time knew exactly what he was doing. He stole some of my best paintings!”

Ivan the Home Owner: An American Dream

2008-04-12T20:03:00.000-07:00

In 1954, Ivan joined the Art Talents Association of Philadelphia. Soon after, his painting, Letter, was accepted for exhibition in New York City at the Barbizon-Plaza Art Gallery, located at 106 Central Park South, from May 8 through May 20 of 1954.

With his success on the rise and much encouragement, Ivan saved his money and painted enough canvasses to open his own studio/gallery in Philadelphia at 530 West Girard Avenue on April 23, 1955. Two weeks later on May 5, 1955 an article in the “Philadelphia Midtown Crier” reported that several more of his paintings were accepted for exhibition at Barbizon-Plaza in New York.

News articles regarding his works started to appear in local papers in the Philadelphia area. In time, Ivan moved his studio/gallery to 989 North 6th Street where he continued to flourish. He was living his American dream and was positive great success awaited him. He now felt was his fame was inevitable. Unfortunately, and unknown to him, Ivan exercised poor judgment in choosing the location of his new art studio.

On February 16, 1962, as he was walking along the Philadelphia streets, Ivan was beaten and robbed. All of his money and his personal belongings was stolen – an omen of things yet to come. In spite of the mugging which adversely affected his emotional state and his deplorable living conditions, his faith remained undaunted in pursuit of his share of the American dream.

By April 5, 1962, he had saved enough money to place a down payment of five hundred dollars on his own house at 1238 North 5th Street. This a joyous occasion for him proved to be another bad mistake for Ivan. The neighborhood in which he had invested his hard-earned money was not a good neighborhood. It continued to decay. Ivan kept working for Newman Galleries, but his personal habitat was one of squalor, constant vandalism and urban deterioration.

Ivan Opens Art Studio in Philadelphia

2008-03-10T18:48:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, and unknown to him, Ivan exercised poor judgment in choosing the location of his new art studio.

On February 16, 1962, as he was walking along the Philadelphia streets, Ivan was beaten and robbed. All of his money and his personal belongings was stolen – an omen of things yet to come.

In spite of the mugging which adversely affected his emotional state and his deplorable living conditions, his faith remained undaunted in pursuit of his share of the American dream.

Ivan's Son Arrives in 1953

2008-02-29T19:52:00.000-08:00

Ivan continued to paint when he was not at work, and it did not take long for Ivan’s talent to be noticed in the United States.

Initial recognition was not far off when on July 7, 1952, less than one year after entry to the United States, his photograph appeared on Page B-3 of the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. For weeks ignoring his own safety, Ivan stood on a traffic island at the intersection of South Broad and Pine Streets while he painted a view of Philadelphia’s city hall.

With a deep love for the arts, Ivan faithfully attended the theatre, ballet, films, musical events and art exhibits around the Philadelphia area. He freely discussed and enjoyed being able to socialize with his fellow artisans.

It was the freedom of speech that Ivan had longed for during his life. To discuss the nature and scope of these cultural events without fear of political retribution was a dream come true for Ivan.

It was during the same year, 1952, that Lili finally realized she could no longer support both herself and her son on her own.

In 1953, she sent Arnold to the United States thanks to the Red Cross, but because Ivan was still single, arrangements were made to have Arnold raised by Lili’s mother, Maria Schneider, Arnold’s grandmother.

Ivan Arrives in Philadelphia

2008-02-25T20:05:00.000-08:00

Now in America, the 33 year old Ivan’s first temporary address was listed as: Presbyterian, U.S.A. 156 Fifth Avenue, N.Y. 10 N.Y., and his first intended employer was Church World Services located at Blount Avenue and Chapman Highway, Knoxville 15 Tennessee.

His stay in New York lasted only a few days when on Tuesday, September 18, 1951, he left New York City at 3:30 PM on train #177 named The Senator. Ivan arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the 30th Street Station approximately 5:03 PM the same day.

It is believed that a brief residency was established with Reverend A.M. Long, 1203 South 47th Street, Philadelphia, PA. Within a few weeks, he was offered and accepted a job with Newman Art Galleries at 1625 Walnut Street. Like other businesses in the United States, Newman Galleries was more than happy to hire this Russian artist. Artists with similar backgrounds like Ivan worked for Newman Galleries in the hopes of becoming a prominent member of one of America’s most respected artistic communities.

His enjoyment of being in America could not be denied.

Ivan Comes to America

2008-02-17T21:33:00.000-08:00

With all of the necessary paperwork in order, Ivan and the new immigrants awaited official word from the American authorities. In August of 1951, confirmation arrived and the immigrants prepared to depart for their new country.

In a surprising turn of events, Lili decided not to depart for America and to keep Ivan’s son with her in Europe. Although saddened by Lili’s decision, Ivan did not allow it to dissuade him from going to this new homeland, the United States of America.

On August 21, 1951, Ivan Garikow sailed to the United States from the German port of Bremenhaven aboard the USNS General Harry Taylor (T-AP145). He arrived in New York City on September 10, 1951 and disembarked on American soil at Ellis Island as passenger #126.

New Papa Ivan Prepares for America

2008-02-08T19:50:00.000-08:00

Just two months later, on June 4, 1949, in hopes of going to the United States for total freedom and opportunity, Ivan registered at the Assembly Centre Hellbrunn as a “displaced person”.

In the midst of winter about eight months later, a new person entered Ivan’s life. On February 17, 1950, Lili and Ivan’s only child, Arnold, was born. Even with their newly born son, the incompatibility of their ages and other irreconcilable differences forced their divorce on December 1, 1950. Although the divorce was finalized, Ivan continued to maintain a close personal relationship with his former in-laws.

On June 6, 1951, Ivan applied for a United States Visa (Immigration and Alien Registration #I-517128). One month later, July 5, 1951, he was granted Immigration Visa #2602/72 at the Displaced Persons Visa Office of Salzburg. His last European address was: Barrack #6, Camp Parsch, Salzburg, Austria. His new European Code #161323 now appeared on Master List #79 for resettlement to his newly adopted country.

Along with thousands of others, Ivan’s passage to the United States was arranged by the International Refugee Organization in accordance with the Immigration Act of 1924 and the Displaced Persons Act of June 25, 1948. Among the others accepted for relocation to the United States at this time were his former in-laws, his ex-wife and his son.

Ivan Finds Recognition and Love

2008-02-04T11:56:00.000-08:00

World War II finally ended. Ivan survived the early post-war years by painting people’s portraits, farms and homes. Many times he would do the work first and then show it to the property owners. He would trade the paintings for food. Later, he took work as a mason to supplement his income and he furiously continued to paint.

Ivan’s big break came between August 14-19, 1948, when his oil painting, “Salzburg”, was exhibited in the very first and largest art exhibit of it’s kind following World Word II. Hundreds of paintings were shown at this Grosse Austellung.

The directors of the exhibit admired his work so much that they featured it prominently in the vestibule. As his art work started to be recognized, photographic reproductions were also made and sold to tourists as postcards.

In the winter of 1948, Ivan decided to advertise for a model in the Salzburg newspapers. These ads brought Maria Schneider with her two daughters, Lili and Lana, to his studio. During the ensuing months, Ivan became enamored with Lili’s beauty.

On April 6, 1949, just two and a half months before his 31st birthday, an old world, arranged marriage took place. Ivan married Lili who was just sixteen years of age.

A Piece of Charcoal

2008-02-01T12:24:00.000-08:00

As a prisoner of war, Ivan asked to speak with the officer-in-charge. Knowing that death was an imminent certainty, he requested a piece of charcoal. The officer granted his request, and upon receiving the charcoal, Ivan proceeded to draw a large portrait of Christ on his cell wall. The officer was so impressed with Ivan’s drawing that he assigned him to a compulsory labor factory in Krems, Austria, rather than to be shipped off to a concentration camp where sure death was waiting.

Suddenly without warning, Ivan was deported to Krems to for the purpose of forced labor. He spent the next four years of his life there as a captive prisoner. He was then sent to the infamous Mausthausen concentration camp where Franz Siereis was in charge. Those close to Ivan say that this evil man was the model for some of Ivan’s darker work.

In March of 1945, Ivan escaped his captors and took a job in a tobacco factory in Sankt Valentin (Lower Austria). This stay was to be short-lived also. Imminent occupation by the Soviet army into Sankt Valentin and vivid memories of his life in the Soviet Union forced him to flee to Salzburg, Austria. Salzburg was occupied by the United States. There he could quite possibly find freedom.

...more to follow...

Ivan's Capture

2008-01-29T19:39:00.000-08:00

In 1937, Ivan made the thousand mile pilgrimage to Leningrad from Belaya Glina to study art.

While attending the Art Academy (1937-41), there were many times he went without shoes or overcoats. Soup and an occasional piece of bread were his meals, and more times than not, he went completely without food. Housing was shared with 6-8 other students in one room, with most of them sleeping on the floor.

Upon completion of Ivan’s studies at the Repin Academy in the late spring of 1941, Ivan took a job as interior decorator in the resort city of Petrozavodsk, located a few miles northeast of Leningrad. Unknown to him, his stay there was to be extremely short-lived.

On June 22, 1941, Adolf Hitler’s armies invaded the Soviet Union and the siege of Leningrad ensued. Along with hundreds of thousands of other Slavic people, Ivan Garikow was taken prisoner. Along with many others,he was considered to be an “untermench” (sub-human). These people were designated to be exterminated as undesirables by the Nazi regime.

Ivan Garikow's Bio -- Early Ivan

2008-01-26T12:25:00.000-08:00

On June 12, 1918, in the village of Belaya Glina, located in the county of Krasnodar, in the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic of the Soviet Union, Ivan Ivanovitch Garikow was born. He was the fourth child of six (five brothers and one sister) born to Anna (Nechaikina) and Ivan Garikow.

World War I had ended but civil war continued to rage throughout Russia. After Lenin’s takeover of the Russian government became a reality, Joseph Stalin’s ascension to power soon followed. Stalin implemented numerous purges upon the Russian people; victimizing, ostracizing and executing millions of anticommunist dissidents. Through all of this turbulence, Ivan spent his youth on a horse ranch and attended elementary school.

Near the completion of his elementary school education, his artistic ability was noticed, and Ivan was sent to painter’s school. At age eighteen, he submitted his art work for consideration to the Repin Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture in Leningrad. Ivan was granted admission as a student of the Repin Academy.

Repin Academy remains the most prestigious art school in the former Soviet Union (Russian Federation) and is currently part of St. Petersburg State University which previously known as Leningrad State University. Built by Peter the Great, the construction of the school was started in 1706 and completed in 1741. The school is located inside the Petropavloskaya Fortress. The Fortress was built on a small island on the Neva River. This was the start of St. Petersburg.

...more to follow...

The Death of Ivan

2008-01-22T12:36:00.000-08:00

After that trip to Philadelphia, it was business as usual. Arnie and I remained active in the theatre for a few years until we decided to each go our separate way. I remained in York county with my teaching and coaching career, and A.J. headed south to Orlando where he worked the dinner-theatre circuit for some time.

We kept in contact by phone once every few months or so-- when Arnie remembered to call me which was usually after a night of drinking. I never had a phone number for him or an address. I think he initially stayed with a relative. He was a drifter so to speak.

The last time we talked, he called to tell me his father Ivan had died. The miles between us prevented me from helping Arnie during this time. I wanted to but didn't know how.

I asked him what he wanted me to do. He didn't know. That was the last I heard from him 1982.

...more to follow...

Inside Garikow's Home/Art Studio

2008-01-16T19:55:00.000-08:00

As I waited for Arnold outside, I was happy it was still daylight. His three story row home was the only remaining structure on the block. That demolished city block in Philadelphia seemed symbolic of Ivan's impoverished life in Russia. It was not a good area to be in. Arnold told me his father had been robbed and some of his best paintings were taken. I was glad when the door opened and I was invited in.

It was dark inside. Arnie and his dad spoke Russian as I was introduced to him. Both men laughed as Ivan slapped me on my back a few times. "He likes you," Arnie said. As I looked around the room it was cluttered with canvas' laying everywhere - oil painting upon oil painting without frames like a paupers flophouse. A few easel's positioned by the windows (his dad only painted by natural light). It was Ivan's home in America.

I was shown a few of Arnie's favorite paintings. I really didn't know much about fine art, but I could just tell that they were special. After an hour or so, the three of us walked to a tavern for something to eat. Observing father and son enjoying each other's presence was a genuine joy for me. My father and I never once enjoyed such a reunion. At the bar, Ivan ate soup and bread. Everyday - That's all he ever ate. Arnie said, "That's all he ever got in the Nazi concentration camp."

He was missing some teeth, but so was Arnie.

Ivan wanted to get back to the house before dark. He was afraid of the night. We walked back to his home, said goodbye and Arnie and I left his father alone once again. That was probably one of the last times Ivan saw his son.

The visit didn't really mean alot to me, but it meant the world to Ivan and his son. Little did I know that I had broken bread with a renowned and listed artist. Arnie knew the greatness of his father's talent...Now years later, I am learning what an honor I had that day...

...more to follow...

How I Met Ivan Garikow

2008-01-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

My father died December 3, 2007. During the days that followed I remembered a time in my life when one of my best friends lost his father. He, too, was an only child.

I had lost contact with Arnie years ago, decades ago. We had worked together during the 1970's when we formed a theatre company, The Andromeda Players, in south central Pennsylvania. We operated two dinner-theatre's and had a touring ensemble that did one-act plays on the road.

Arnie was my Set designer and Technical director. His art work was incredible. We had a great relationship both personally and professionally. Arnie had told me that his father was a noted Russian artist who was living in Philadelphia.

In time, I learned more about Arnie's dad, Ivan. In fact, I met him once. I'll never forget that visit to Philly. Arnie had told me that his dad spoke little English, and I had to stay outside until Arnie explained to Ivan that I was a friend. Soon, I was invited into his home...

...more to follow

The Beginning: Refuge for a Friend

2007-12-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

This effort is dedicated to my long lost friend, Arnold Garikow. I do not know if I will ever be in contact with Arnie again. It has been more than 25 years since we talked.

But what I do know is that one of our last conversations occurred a few days after his father, Ivan Garikow, died.

God Bless his tortured soul.

...more to follow...