We present an expert in the field of art history and theory - Maria Krestyanikova.

"I believe that my classes give people a new understanding of art and understanding of the world around them."

Graduated from the Russian Academy of Music. Gnesins and the Academic School of Design.

 Activities

Author of courses: "Genre in Art", "Styles in World Culture - Parallels in Music, Fine Arts and Architecture."

Lecturer in Art History, Design History.

Host of the cycle of concerts "Russian chamber music" in the House of Cinema.

Lecturer of open lectures organized by the School of Theater Photography

on the themes: "History of Design", "Modern", "Russian Modern".

Visiting lecturer at MAHL RAKh (discipline "History of Music")

Founder and leader of the "School of Good People".

Author of unique series of lectures on the history of art in its purest form, with revelations, findings and a personal approach.

He speaks easily and simply about art in our life, about art in history. That this is not an abstract illusory concept that exists separately, but matter that permeates our being.

Art in life and life in art

Thoughts

• We often do not imagine how close art is to us. It surrounds us everywhere, we live in it, we use it, and not only enjoy it in museums and concert halls. And if you see him nearby, life will become richer and brighter.

• If you want peace and tranquility, then it only seems to you. In fact, you want life! ⠀

• The thoughts that you form in your head are the formation of your reality. Think well, joyfully, light - such a reality will surround you.

• The meaning of every day is joy. Feeling this joy is sometimes difficult. Especially if the circumstances around you develop in such a way that it seems as if everything is against you. You yourself have created these trials and doubts in order to pass these lessons.

• Everything makes sense! And the most important point is that you are annoyed, scared, angry. Acceptance, Love and Gratitude! Here are three whales that support our entire existence.

Statements

The history of art is not only for artists or culture-minded people, it is a thing that is necessary in everyday life. It makes it possible to connect separate puzzles of different cultures and different times into a single picture, helps to have your own opinion in the stream of obtrusive information from the media, returns to eternal questions that take a person to a new spiritual level.

• What is the first thing you see when you open your eyes in the morning? The most correct answer is the ceiling. And what is a ceiling is the floor of the upper floor, and the floor is part of the house. And what is a house, and then you realize with surprise that you have come close to understanding the main art form - architecture.
• There are several composers whose music can balance your condition. Listen to Mozart if you need to raise your energy level. Bach - if you need to increase your efficiency. Rachmaninov - if you feel that you need to raise emotionality in relationships. Tchaikovsky, if there is a beauty deficit.

• The artist owes nothing to anyone! The artist is free! An artist is a creator! An artist is one who acts on his own!

• Striving for harmony is inherent in the essence of our Spirit. Harmony cannot be static! Harmony is movement. This is a constant penetration of the spiritual and material worlds into each other.

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• If you ask the Universe for answers - they are always given! But be ready to hear the answer! Not accepting an answer can have educational implications.

• The main thing is that faith really works miracles. It is important to drop doubts as a species, as a given, as an opportunity.

 School of Good People

The School of Good People is a cultural space, a place where cultures of different times and peoples unite. It regularly hosts lectures and art trainings, visiting classes in historically significant places, as well as master classes aimed at a wide audience.

Master classes provide an opportunity to touch art with your own hands and feel like the creator of a masterpiece. Sometimes in the classroom we create an image of the era we are studying, sometimes we try to get into the essence of a brilliant work.

A few questions from Mary:

1. You call yourself a guide to art. What do you mean by this concept?

- I just believe that art surrounds us everywhere. A person cannot live without art. And when I prove it in the first lesson, they believe me.

2. How did you come to teaching and the idea of starting your own school?

- I have been teaching since I was 16. At first it was piano lessons, because by my first education I am a pianist. And by the way, I am still doing this. I have students whom I teach to play the piano.

But the creation of the School happened, as it usually happens - by accident. Our university, where I taught art history, merged with another, thanks to the reform of education, and our department turned out to be a “street”.

For half a year I was blissed out without work. Then I got bored, and I came up with my own school.

3. Your school is called the School of Good People. You once noted that you think this name is magical. I wonder why?

- Because bad people will not come to a school with that name.

4. How do you manage to present complex, fundamental themes in art history so easily?

- I have a favorite oriental wisdom that fully reflects the essence of my teaching art history: "If you want to understand any subject, start teaching this subject to others!"

This is what I have been doing for 12 years. Since 2009 I have been teaching art history. And I do it so that I myself, first of all, understand it.

• By being inspired yourself, you inspire others. To be in a resource means to share that resource. Brilliant people are generous!

Maria Krestyanikova @krestartschool