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Misha Frid

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Misha Frid
Born (1938-11-22) November 22, 1938 (age 86)
Moscow, USSR
Occupation(s)Artist, sculptor, filmmaker
Years active1962–present
SpouseGalina Fridman (m. 1967)
Children3
WebsiteMishaFrid.com

Misha Frid (born November 22, 1938) is a Russian-born American sculptor, artist, graphic designer, and filmmaker who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Frid immigrated to the US in 1972 with his wife, Galina, and their two sons.[1] His works are housed in private and corporate collections and galleries and museums around the world.[2]

Early life and education

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A smiling Misha and Galina Frid
Frid and his wife, Galina, in 2012

Frid was born in 1938 to a Jewish family in Moscow. His father was from Lithuania, and his mother was from Belarus.[3] When he was five, his father took him to a music school to study the violin; his father dreamed of seeing him become a concert violinist, but Misha's dream was to become a sculptor.[4] Five years later, he switched from his music school to art school to study graphic arts and sculpture; however, music has remained an important part of his life.[5] Frid graduated from high school in 1955 with honors. He also graduated with honors from Moscow State Art College in 1967 and the University of Fine Arts in the city, and studied film directing at the Russian State University of Cinematography in Moscow in 1972. In 1964, he had an exhibition at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow with other young artists. Russian culture and literature influence Frid's artistry. A love for Russian composers and Russian ballet inspired him, and he sees ballet as sculpture in motion.

A hot summer in 1972 resulted in crop failure and famine, and led to an appeal from Russia for help from the UN; however, the Iron Curtain prevented wheat imports from the US. The US agreed to help the USSR in exchange for 150 refuseniks to be allowed out of the Soviet Union, and Leonid Brezhnev agreed. At the time Frid was a member of the Sculptor Society of Russia, and his work was on exhibit in museums. His art was screened through official channels; only safe, government-approved subject matter was permitted, and there was no freedom of speech. The "Jackson Amendment" (as it was called in Russia) benefited Frid's family, and he received a letter permitting him to leave Russia within 14 days with $80 per person. Frid, his wife and two sons (11 months and five years) emigrated to the United States.[6]

Career

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The purpose of my work is to show people the beauty of life, not the ugliness.

Misha Frid[7]

In 1978, Frid became a US citizen. He developed a working relationship with the artist and designer Erté, who was 80 years old: "I felt like a young writer, having the incredible fortune to know Shakespeare".[8] Wentworth Publishing Corporation represented Frid from 1990 to 2011, selling over 5,000 of his sculptures.[9][10][11][12] In 1984, he and his family moved to Toronto. Frid has exhibited his art at New York's International ArtExpo.[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] He exhibited his art at the International ArtExpo in Los Angeles in 1989 and 1990, and at the Tokyo International Art Show in 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994.[28][29][30][31][32]
Frid won a 1991 Toronto public-art competition with The Lady of the Lily, a 10-foot bronze sculpture.[33] As part of SIART’93, a 1993 cultural-exchange program, he exhibited his art in Seoul.[34] Frid was chosen as a sculptor by the United States Olympic Committee, and created Equestrian, Gymnast and Stadium Jumper for the centennial 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.[35][36][37] He presented his sculpture for the first time in a collection of drawings at the 2000 International ArtExpo in New York.[38][39] Frid exhibited his work at the 2003 and 2004 Toronto ArtExpos.[40][41]

In 2006, he and his family returned to the US. Two years later, the American Sport Art Museum and Archives in Alabama added Equestrian, Gymnast and Stadium Jumper to its permanent collection.[42] Frid also contributed ikebana to the Exquisite Harmony East West exhibition, which featured Western sculpture and traditional Japanese ikebana flower arrangements uniting Eastern and Western culture, at the Art People Gallery in San Francisco that year. He received a certificate of recognition from Japanese consul general Yasumasa Nagamine and a commendation from California Assemblyman Mark Leno.[43][44][45] In 2008, Frid's The Centaur was found among thousands of stolen bicycles and quantities of marijuana and cocaine.[46][47]

Sculpture of a winged nude in a museum
Swan Lake in bronze at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory in Russia, 2014

Frid created the Freedom of Expression Award for the best director at the Jewish Film Festival in San Francisco, symbolizing "the never extinguished flame of Jewish daring and creativity, from 2008 to 2012."[48][49][50][51] Among the directors to receive the bronze award was 95-year-old Kirk Douglas, before the screening of Spartacus in 2011.[52]
Frid donated his Swan Lake to the Saint Petersburg Conservatory for its 150th anniversary.[53][54]
He and Wayne Schotten produced the 2013 documentary film, Swan Lake in Bronze,[55][56] which received the Best Cinematography for Documentary award at the 2014 Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles.[57] Frid created two bronze sculptures for the 20th anniversary of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation in Moscow in 2014.[58][59] The following year, Spivakov awarded Frid's Mercy to actor Yevgeny Mironov.[60]

Philanthropy

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Frid has donated his sculptures and drawings to Okizu, the San Francisco Symphony, the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, and the American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation.[61]

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  • Outdoor statue of a woman standing on a lily
    Lady of the Lily (1991)
  • Bronze sculpture of two intertwined bodies
    Duet
  • Sculpture of a nude woman playing a guitar
    Guitar
  • Sculpture of two nudes, one dancing and the other playing a saxophone
    Jazz
  • Frid next to a sculpture of a seated woman
    Sheer Delight
  • Sculpture of a woman being restrained by a man
    Earth and Sky
  • Sculpture of a man playing a flute as a woman listens
    Magic Flute
  • Stylized bronze statuette
    Spivakov Charity Foundation award
  • White-on-black abstract drawing
    Harp
  • White-on-black drawing of a couple seranading each other
    Serenade
  • Nude female torso superimposed on a violin
    Violin Torso
  • Abstract drawing
    Music Profile

References

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  1. ^ "Russian émigré sculptor committed to premise "life is so beautiful"". jweekly.com.
  2. ^ San Francisco Decorator Showcase, Magazine, p.88, 2011 Article invited art lovers to see one man show of Misha Frid in 1000 Van Ness Gallery, San Francisco, CA, USA
  3. ^ "Autobiography. Misha Frid". judaica-design.com.
  4. ^ "Together"("Вместе"), Russian Magazine, p. 12, Jan., 2014
  5. ^ "Russian émigré sculptor committed to premise "life is so beautiful"". jweekly.com.
  6. ^ Article about beauty and music. Frid’s Elegant touch, The Canadian Jewish News, p.24T, Apr. 20, 1995
  7. ^ The Toronto Star, p. NY4, Feb., 6, 1992 Article "Sculptor brings beauty to ugly world"
  8. ^ Article "Soviet artist finds freedom in Thornhill" by Nancy Pack, Community Newspaper, p. C-1, Jul., 30. 1986
  9. ^ Bronze sculpture "Cello player", Wentworth Publishing, Art Business News Magazine, p. 46, Aug., 1991
  10. ^ Article about Misha Frid. Photo "The Harp Player", Wentworth Publishing, Magazine Art Business News, p. 84, Sep., 1991 New musical collection
  11. ^ Full page about Misha Frid. Article "One of the most prominent sculptors in the world", photo "The Violin Player", Wentworth Publishing, Magazine Art Business News, p. 55, May, 1992
  12. ^ Sunstorm Magazine, Summer, 1993, p.41 Article "Searching the World to bring you fine art".
  13. ^ Misha Frid, bronze sculpture "Woman in the shell", International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 312, Apr., 3-7, 1986
  14. ^ One man show Misha Frid, bronze sculpture "Sunshine", International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 516, Apr., 2-6, 1987
  15. ^ One man show Misha Frid, bronze sculpture "Bubbles", 10th Annual International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 167, Mar., 17-21, 1988
  16. ^ Misha Frid Russian sculptor of dreams, bronze sculpture "Flower", International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 189, Apr., 13-17, 1989
  17. ^ Misha Frid, bronze sculpture "The magic flute", International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 408, Mar., 5-9, 1992
  18. ^ Misha Frid, bronze sculpture "Lady of the Lily", International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 572, Mar., 9-13, 1995
  19. ^ Misha Frid, crystal sculpture "Adam and Eve", International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 263, Mar., 7-11, 1996
  20. ^ Misha Frid, bronze sculpture "Muze", International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 223, Feb., 6-10, 1997
  21. ^ Misha Frid, bronze sculpture "Jazz", International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 386, Mar., 4-8, 1999
  22. ^ ArtExpo New York 2000, ArtExpo Preview Magazine, p. 31, Feb., 2000 Presentation of Misha Frid’s graphics.
  23. ^ Misha Frid, sculptures "Wedding Art" collection, International ArtExpo New York Magazine, Feb., 2001
  24. ^ Misha Frid, cast relief "Romeo and Juliet", International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 407, Mar., 8-12, 2001
  25. ^ Misha Frid, bronze sculpture "Sheer Delight", International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 289, Feb.28-Mar.4, 2002
  26. ^ Misha Frid, bronze sculpture "Jazz", International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 341, Feb.27-Mar.3, 2003
  27. ^ Misha Frid, bronze sculpture "Enliven", International ArtExpo New York Magazine, p. 243, Feb.26-Mar.1, 2004
  28. ^ Misha Frid on Tokyo Art Expo, Art Magazine International, Tokyo Art Expo Special Issue, p. 102, Apr., 4, 1990
  29. ^ Book about Tokyo International Art Show, Ars Nova, TIAS, p. 31, Feb., 1991 Article about Misha Frid’s Art collection
  30. ^ Tokyo International Art Show, Magazine, TIAS’1991, p.142
  31. ^ Tokyo International Art Show, Magazine, TIAS’1993, Jan., 22-25, p.91
  32. ^ Misha Frid, Crystal sculpture, Tokyo International Art Show, TIAS’1994, ArtFocus Magazine, Fall, 1994
  33. ^ "Lady of the Lily by Misha Frid, Toronto, Canada". google.com.
  34. ^ Letter of appreciation to Misha Frid for the purpose of a Cultural Exchange Program, Seoul, South Korea, SIART’93
  35. ^ Article "Sculptor unveils artwork commissioned for Olympics" by Miriam Chinsky, Toronto, Canada, The Canadian Jewish News, p. 36, Apr., 18, 1996
  36. ^ Sculpture "Equestrian" by Misha Frid. Equine Images Magazine, The national magazine of equine art, Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Olympic Games in Atlanta, US, June/July, 1996
  37. ^ Article "1996 Centennial Olympic Games collection made by Misha Frid" Art Business News Magazine, p. 41, Jul., 1996
  38. ^ ArtExpo New York 2000, ArtExpo Preview Magazine, p. 31, Feb., 2000 Presentation of Misha Frid’s graphics
  39. ^ Graphics of Misha Frid, The Bevelled Edge, Magazine of Fine Art & Framing, p.20, bevellededge.com, 2002
  40. ^ Journal Toronto InsideArt Expo 2003, Mar., 13-16, 2003 Art exhibit of Misha Frid
  41. ^ Journal Toronto Art Expo 2004, Mar., 18-21, 2004 Art exhibit of Misha Frid
  42. ^ American Sport Art Museum and Archives in Alabama, US, The permanent exhibition of Misha Frid’s sculptures: "Equestrian", "Gymnast", "Stadium Jumper" created for the 100th anniversary of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Games, Apr., 07, 2008
  43. ^ Article in newspaper about grand opening of art show "East and West" in San Francisco, Nichibei Times Newspaper, May 6, 2008
  44. ^ Award to Misha Frid from Yasumasa Nagamine Consul General of Japan, "Harmonious blend of East and West", North America’s Japanese Newsource, Hokubei.com, May 8, 2008
  45. ^ Magazine "Japanese American News", p. 12, May 15, 2008 Article about exhibition "Exquisite Harmony East West" in Art People Gallery in San Francisco, CA
  46. ^ "Newspaper "The Toronto Star", p. A11, Aug., 1, 2008, Article "Sculpture found among bikes" by Dale Anne Freed, "Sculptor shocked to hear prized bronze discovered 'rammed' into garage rented by alleged bicycle thief"". thestar.com.
  47. ^ "Website blouinartinfo.com, Article "Missing sculpture found among stolen bikes" by blouin artinfo, Aug., 01, 2008". blouinartinfo.com.
  48. ^ San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Magazine, p. 7, Jul. 24 – Aug. 11, 2008, sfjff.org
  49. ^ San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Magazine, Jul. 23 – Aug. 10, 2009, sfjff.org
  50. ^ 30th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Magazine, Jul. 24 – Aug. 9, 2010, sfjff.org
  51. ^ San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Magazine, p. 8, Jul. 19 – Aug. 06, 2012, sfjff.org
  52. ^ San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Magazine, p. 8, Jul. 21 – Aug. 08, 2011, sfjff.org
  53. ^ "Russian Channel NTV ("НТВ"), Saint-Petersburg, Sep., 18, 2012, Film about 150th anniversary of Saint-Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory and Interview with Misha Frid". ntv.ru.
  54. ^ Music in Bronze, "Together"("Вместе"), Russian Magazine, p. 12, Jan., 2014
  55. ^ "Documentary Film "Swan Lake in Bronze" by Wayne Schotten and Misha Frid, 2013, San Francisco, CA, USA". imdb.com.
  56. ^ Oshman Family Jewish Community Center Journal, Arts & Dialogues 2013-2014, Article about documentary film "Swan Lake in Bronze" by Misha Frid and Wayne A. Schotten
  57. ^ "Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles, Best Cinematography for Documentary award – Wayne Schotten and Misha Frid, "Swan Lake in Bronze", Jul., 21, 2014". thehollywoodtimes.net.
  58. ^ Gratitude to Misha Frid, who did 2 awards in bronze, for celebration of 20th anniversary of Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation, 2014
  59. ^ "20th anniversary of Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation, 2014". spivakov.ru.
  60. ^ "Vladimir Spivakov delivered to Evgeny Mironov the award "Mercy" made by Misha Frid". tass.ru.
  61. ^ "American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation, "Thank you for your beautiful sculpture "Torso", Nov., 19, 2014" (PDF). a-rccf.com.

Sources

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  • Misha Frid, "6th Exhibition of Young Moscow Artists", Moscow, USSR (Russia), p. 64, 1961
  • Catalog "Exhibition of Moscow Region Artists", USSR (Russia), p. 26, 1961
  • Photos of Misha Frid's art, USSR Journal Soviet Woman ("Советская Женщина") No.6, p. 2, 1963
  • Article "Steps to the World of Art" ("Ступеньки в Мир искусства"), USSR (Russian) Newspaper Evening Moscow ("Вечерняя Москва"), p. 2, Apr., 12, 1966
  • Two full pages "Mein Kindergarten" about Misha Frid's art, German Magazine Freie Welt, p. 36, Dec., 01, 1966
  • Full page about Misha Frid, Polish Magazine Kraj Rad, p. 29, Dec., 04, 1966
  • Article about a group of artists in newspaper "Russian Jews speak freely at Westside Center" by Betty Nutkiewicz, The JCA News, Jewish Centers Association of Los Angeles, p. 13, Winter, 1975
  • Article about Misha Frid's collection, "The passion reined", SunStorm Arts Magazine, p. 4, Apr., 1987
  • Article "Exhibition "ArtExpo-87" by Lana Mack, Russian Newspaper Novoye Russkoye Slovo, 1987
  • The Toronto Star Newspaper, p. G3, Nov., 19, 1988, article about Misha Frid "Emigre artist says the future lies in the past" by Christopher Hume.
  • The Canadian Jewish News, p. 52, Sep., 13, 1990 Article "Soviet sculptor Misha Frid pursues artistic dreams" by Frances Kraft
  • Full page about Misha Frid. Article "One of the most prominent sculptors in the world", photo "The Violin Player", Wentworth Publishing, Magazine Art Business News, p. 55, May, 1992
  • Full page "Misha Frid sculptor of dream", Russian Newspaper Vestnik ("Вестник"), Canada, p. 10, Jun., 25,1992
  • Article about "Exhibition of sculpture Misha Frid in Toronto", Russian Magazine in Canada, Info Toronto ("Инфо Торонто"), p. 7, Jan., 25, 1993
  • The Canadian Jewish News, p. 41, Jan., 20, 1994 Article "Frid does well in the Orient" by Miriam Chinsky
  • The Tribune Magazine, p. 14, Apr., 11, 1996 Article "Toronto Sculptor Enjoys World Fame" by Jack Kohane
  • Exodus ("Эксодус") Russian Newspaper in Canada, p. 12, May, 1996 "Art brings pleasure to the eyes" ("Очей Очарованье") by Anatoly Kachkin. Full page about art and life of the artist Misha Frid.
  • Article about singer Rod Stewart and Misha Frid's exhibition in Elaine Tennyson Gallery, Toronto, Canada. He was honorable guest. Rod Stewart invited Misha Frid and his wife to his performance in Toronto. The Toronto Star, p. D2, Mar. 26, 1999
  • The Globe and Mail Magazine, p. C4, Mar., 26, 1999 Article "Rocker Rod Stewart gets a bit cranky on the rebound" by Alexandra Gill, Story about Rod Stewart visiting one man show by Misha Frid in Elaine Tennyson Gallery in Toronto.
  • Article about introduction a new sculpture "Jazz" from the series "The world of musical art", Art Business News Magazine, p. 161, Mar., 1999
  • Article about new sculptures "Muze" and "Cello Player", West-East Toronto (Запад-Восток), Russian Magazine, Canada, p. 15, Mar., 16, 2004
  • Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue Book, May 12, 2004 Article about commission "Yakir Hakahal" award made in crystal by Misha Frid for Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda synagogue.
  • One man show in Los Angeles, Art-DECO – Glamour in Harmony, Groundfloor Gallery, DTLA, Bunkerhillmagazine.com, Jul., 2011
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