Snow on Grass: Animator Yuri Norstein’s Exhibition

Yuri Norstein, the renowned Russian animation director, is probably best known for his iconic animation film Hedgehog in the Fog. A new exhibition at Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center offers an extensive overview of the works created by him together with his wife and partner, artist Francesca Yarbusova. The project celebrates Yuri Norstein’s 80th birthday.

The main exhibits on display include materials from the Norstein Studio and large stage-like installations created specifically for the exhibition. 

The first part of the display consists of several special compositions where fragments from the animator’s works meet documentary evidence from his past. One of these compositions depicts the director’s native courtyard — having grown up in the Moscow district of Maryina Roscha (where, by the way, the Jewish Museum is located today), he has included some of the most vivid details of the war and post-war life into many of his works, for example Tale of Tales etc. True-life locations on Norstein’s biographical map will be inhabited by fictional characters from his works. 

The second part of the exhibition offers a glimpse into the creative process of the couple. The display includes materials from major productions by the artists, such as sketches, storyboards, and phases of character creation, while also giving unique access to materials from the ongoing work on The Overcoat, an animated film based on Gogol’s short story of the same name.

Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center

Open until January 9, 2022

Address: 11 Obraztsova Ulitsa, build. 1A

Opening hours: Sun – Thu noon – 10 pm; Fri 10 am – 3 pm; Saturdays and Jewish holidays are days-off

Tickets: 200 – 400 RUB

Important: A QR code (from vaccination or a fresh PCR test) and an ID are required.