Alexander Palace Restoration

[Laura Mabee]

Thanks for passing that on, Laura. I was under the impression that the children's rooms would be restored to how they were when the family lived there, but this article makes it sound otherwise. Just "exhibition space, a library and conference hall, while the former children's rooms will house a children's art center." Oh, well. I guess I can't complain since they'll be doing so much work on the 1st floor.

I agree EmmyLee, I was also hoping for more of a re-creation of the children's rooms. I hope that if they are to go through with the art center it will bring in enough income to make it a profitable venture. Otherwise, back to the children's rooms would be ideal for the space.

I do have a concern about the profitability of an arts center though. I currently work in a museum that is both a museum and and art gallery/art center. We hardly make enough to get by, yet the historical museum in the next township makes money like they own the bank. I find that more people are interested in paying for a historic tour than for arts programming. However, this could just be the belief of my demographic.  I just hope this arts center brings in enough funds to support the continuation of maintenance for the AP.

[blessOTMA]

I do have a concern about the profitability of an arts center though. I currently work in a museum that is both a museum and and art gallery/art center. We hardly make enough to get by, yet the historical museum in the next township makes money like they own the bank.

This is why I believe ( hope) they will see the wisdom of restoring the children's rooms as they were and having people tour them....it would be a licence to print money imo. Speaking as an artist, in my experience the words " profit"  and "art "  aren't usually linked together in a positive way . Restoring the rooms as the children knew them , will ,imo be done eventually, if tourism generally remains strong in Russia.

[EmmyLee]

My question is, what kind of art center do you think they're planning on implementing? They specify that it's a children's art center, so is it a place to display children's art or for visiting children to create their own artworks? Either way, it doesn't sound like something that would bring in a lot of money.

[aleksandr pavlovich]

Interesting question, "EmmyLee":  As for being a money-viable restoration, I am afraid that the Alexander Palace will not be self-sustaining for MANY, MANY years, if EVER.  IMO, it is simply of a "niche" interest to the greater (in number) "generalist tourist", being always over-shadowed by the Catherine Palace.  Regards,  AP.

[BobG]

When I went to St Petersburg in 2002, I had to force my travel company to include the AP on my visit to Tsarskoye Selo.  The guide knew practically nothing about the palace or its inhabitants.  And yet, I believe it had been a really popular attraction when it first opened as a museum. I think if the restoration is down properly, this will become a very popular attraction.  After all, it is the home of a family of Russian Orthodox saints as well as the last of the Tsars.
BobG

[Forum Admin]

The important part is that this is happening, and that it is going to be done "right". We are in no position to second guess the Russian government's wishes for the restoration, let us just be grateful that it is going to happen.  Re-uniting the 6500 pieces from the Palace, back to their rightful places is key. Perhaps we can hope that once the world sees how well the restoration is done, more objects now outside Russia will be returned home as well.

There were more reasons why the AP was not included in the tours.  Sadly, Dr. Sautov demanded a fee paid to him personally for any tour group/tour bus that went to the Palace. Therefore, many guides and tour companies were reluctant to go there, since they didn't want to pay the fee.

Madame Sautova is not like her husband, and has even changed her last name, to dis-associate herself from the past.  The underhanded, "evil" elements that used to be part of the Tsarskoe Museum staff are gone. The people there now are wonderful, dedicated and honest.

We are thrilled at this new project. Bob particularly.

[Dominic_Albanese]

Rob - alittle off topic here - you mention how happy Bob is - (actually we all are).  Any word on his AP book?

dca

[Laura Mabee]

The important part is that this is happening, and that it is going to be done "right"... Re-uniting the 6500 pieces from the Palace, back to their rightful places is key.

I cannot agree more. This is very exciting news! To be honest, I did not think I would see the day that the AP would be fully restored.

Rob - alittle off topic here - you mention how happy Bob is - (actually we all are).  Any word on his AP book?

I second this question. : )

[EmmyLee]

The important part is that this is happening, and that it is going to be done "right". We are in no position to second guess the Russian government's wishes for the restoration, let us just be grateful that it is going to happen.  Re-uniting the 6500 pieces from the Palace, back to their rightful places is key.

Very good point, Rob. I may wish that the children's rooms would be restored, but over all, I'm very happy with what has been done and what will be done with the palace. It is so good to compare recent photos of the AP with ones from just a few years ago.

There were more reasons why the AP was not included in the tours.  Sadly, Dr. Sautov demanded a fee paid to him personally for any tour group/tour bus that went to the Palace.

Ridiculous! I'm glad that Madame Sautova doesn't have the same ideas.

[Forum Admin]

First, Bob wanted me to add that the children's rooms will almost certainly be restored as well before all is over. Alexei's room will definitely be restored. (I can't say more right now).  Bob's book is on hold pending some new research.

"Mme. Sautova" now is called Olga Taratynova, so let us all start to use the name she is using.

[EmmyLee]

Good news! Thank you, Rob and Bob for passing that information on to us. I absolutely cannot wait to see the end result.

[blessOTMA]

Good news indeed! =)

[Joanna]

My question is, what kind of art center do you think they're planning on implementing? They specify that it's a children's art center, so is it a place to display children's art or for visiting children to create their own artworks? Either way, it doesn't sound like something that would bring in a lot of money.

The second floor left wing in former children’s rooms will be classrooms and computer rooms of the Children’s Educational Centre. The central part of the second floor over the parade rooms will be reserved for temporary exhibitions and the second floor right wing will be the administration offices of the museum.

A few other renovations that I have heard and will be completed by 2017:

Office of Nicholas II - to restore upholstery fabrics and monogram of the Emperor on the frieze of the fireplace. Restoration of lighting and curtains as well as built-in furniture (sofa, bookcases).

Crimson Drawing Room will be restored to L. Premazzi watercolor. In particular the Egyptian fireplace with alabaster bas-reliefs and bronze décor that survived.

In the Mountain Hall and library halls will restore parquet and artificial marble on the walls. Also it appears they will recreate a slide.

They are planning to reconstruct the bedroom of Marie Fedorovna where NII was born.

Also they will restore the corridors of the left wing second floor and the corridor of Alexei’s rooms.

Joanna

[EmmyLee]

I'd been wondering about the Mountain Hall and if they would restore the slide. Thank you for that list, Joanna!

[Janet Ashton]

A few other renovations that I have heard and will be completed by 2017:



Crimson Drawing Room will be restored to L. Premazzi watercolor. In particular the Egyptian fireplace with alabaster bas-reliefs and bronze décor that survived.



Joanna

Excellent - my favourite room by a long way....(which GK and I used as our avatar on the Directarticle site for just this reason): -

http://www.directarticle.org/Contents.html