University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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THE RUSSIAN ROOM Designed and built almost entirely by Pittsburghers of Russian birth and descent, the Russian Room is a seminar classroom. The room was designed by Dr. Andrey Avinoff, of the University Fine Arts and Biology departments. The most colorful and most interesting part of the room is the vishivka” or applique embroidery of St. George and the Dragon made by Mrs. Helen Sikorsky Vincr. The vishivka is symbolic of the spirit of youth going forth to fight evil. The design was inspired by the Novgorod school of fifteenth and sixteenth century painters. Together with its carved frame, the banner is called the kiot or shrine. The frame and the corner cupboard, which holds the book of donors, are decorated with ornaments peculiar to Carpatho-Russian art. The oak conference table is carved in a manner characteristic of the Vologda district in Central Russia, and the students' chairs bear tracery carving characteristic of the furniture in the provinces of Prem and Yaroslav. The professor's chair bears more complex carving, in a style following the ancient type from Ouglich in Northeastern Russia. In each corner of the white plaster ceiling is a moulded flower design symbolizing one of the four seasons. These were modeled by Carl Beato. An early eighteenth century ikon is on the wall high in one corner. The windows arc of decorative glass in a seventeenth century style. A triptych or double winged cupboard conceals the chalk-board opposite the vishivka. The double doors arc carved in a manner similar to the professor's armchair and arc lined with red velvet. The purple slate used in the chalkboard harmonizes with the oak carving, the white walls, and the traces of red velvet that can be seen through the grill-like doors. The hand wrought iron work in the room was done by Hyman Blum. The triptych is surmounted by carved images of ''Sirin” and Alcanost,'' the fabulous rwin birds of Joy and Sorrow, which arc never far apart. All the carving in the room was done by John Luhowiak, who came to Pittsburgh from the Russian Ukraine. 27

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Paul N. Barn . Rev. Siarovjky, Rev. Michael Teedick, Michael J. Kormos, John Matick, Dr. Audrey Avinoff. Statui: Rev. John Zitinsky, I. E. Mouronu-aeff. Rev. John Yanchisin, Peter Korpos, Mr . Anna Kalna , Mr . I. E. Mou-romtaeft Joseph Harsky. Moulded flower designs symbolizing the four seasons ornament the white plaster ceiling of the Russian Room. The central feature of the seminar room is the appliqu£ embroidery of St. George and the Dragon in its carved frame. A corner cupboard is built into the wainscoting and stands beneath an ikon. Opposite the St. George vishivka is a purple slate chalkboard, concealed by a triptych with twin grill covered doors backed with red velvet. 26

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 Tom Clark, Mr . Thornton, Mr. McRae, Or. John Sutherland, Mitt Beattie, Mr. Brown, Mr . Prentice, Mr . Mitchell. SunJinMr . Reed, Mr. Davidson, Miss Jameson, John McPherson, Mr . Summers. Mr. J. Elliott. Mr . Farmer, Mr. S. Brown, Mr. McKay, Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Burges . Sturdy and individual, yee beautiful in its simplicity, the Scottish room reflects the culture of early seventeenth century Scotland. The traditional emblem, the thistle, is the dominating motif of decoration. Curtains with loose yarn embroidery in dull blues and reds frame the bay windows. Stately carved entrance doors flank the wood-burning fireplace. The oak furniture and hand-pegged floor arc in delightful harmony with the peaceful atmosphere and quiet dignity of the Scottish room. 25