The Palm Beach Post from West Palm Beach, Florida • Page 126

THE PALM BEACH POST SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1993 5J Illlfllllt mm mmsm i TJI i Obscure American sculptor gets career boost in Russia kiMwfer Antique Market i 2001 N. Federal Hwy. 407-276-4012 I Open Thursday thru Sunday I Coupon Expires 1 22693 NOW thru JAN. 2, '94 BENEFITING ifS united cerebral palsy INFORMATION: (305) 321-6111 1 OPEN 5:30 PM. iKLA'ytfiU.

Admission: ADUlTi'S TO 12 '6 45 i ABOVE '5 CORNER of 441 and STIRLING RO. HOLLYWOOD, FL By SUSAN GALLAGHER The Associated Press HELENA, Mont. For sculptor Tim Holmes, recognition came thousands of miles from his Montana home, at an acclaimed museum known for its collections of art by Rembrandt, Michelangelo and other masters. After years of hearing that his metal work wasn't good enough for the major museums of the United States, Holmes has drawn raves for his show at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.

He is the first contemporary American sculptor to be honored with a solo exhibit there. "Sculptures by Tim Holmes deserve being displayed in the best museums of the world," Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the Hermitage, told a St. Petersburg newspaper. Holmes, just back from several weeks in Russia, said he was overwhelmed by the public response to his show and to art in general. Even a man he remembers as "a Doberman of a customs inspector" shyly asked for Holmes' autograph on a catalog for the Hermitage exhibit.

The 38-year-old sculptor, whose artistic form is similar to Rodin's, works in a sunny studio a few blocks from the Montana Capitol. The international attention he's receiving is a big break in a career that dates to his childhood. Holmes said he's had a lot of "hit-and-miss" shows in the U.S., and a few exhibits at such places as the Paul Mellon Arts Center in Connecticut. But he hasn't really unlocked the secure gates of America's major museums. "Americans respond more to fame than they do to quality," Holmes said.

The monthlong Russian show that ran through Dec. 5 provided a measure of fame that he hopes will remove some barriers. About 35 Holmes works were on display. Three will remain in the permanent collection of the Hermitage. Holmes' pieces now sell for a few thousand dollars to $10,000, and he supports himself through sculpture.

In the competitive art world, that in itself is an achievement. A show at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle turned out to be the break that led to the Hermitage invitation. A visiting Russian professor saw Holmes' sculpture and got things rolling. Financing for the Hermitage project was arranged largely by a California businessman who collects Holmes' art. Gerald Alderson of Kenetech a wind-power business, also put up the money for Holmes' Helena studio.

Aider-son gets sculpture in return. Holmes' credits include an ongoing commission by Physicians for Social Responsibility. lie produces "The Healing Touch," graceful hands with two fingers ending in doves, which the doctors present semiannually as a peace award. Recipients include former President Carter, Dr. Benjamin Spock, Dr.

Jonas Salk, Norman Cousins and George Kennan, former U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union. Holmes' art has many themes: pain, disappointment, war and peace, love, inequality, the moth-er-and-child bond. He comes from a long line of Methodist ministers, and religion is never far from his work. SAFARI SALE 4s L0tlL5(With thisad.) -i I I Per Person.

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"It propels them into venues they cannot be expected to command. The exaggerated praise it generates undermines what it uplifts." Indeed, the past list of Van Cliburn winners from Ralph Votapek (1962) to Alexei Sultanov (1989) reveals few major names on today's concert circuit, the one possible exception being Radu Lupu (1966). Cliburn competition director Rodzinski, however, makes a case for each winner's "success," noting that some have bigger careers outside the United States. Rodzinski adds that it would be "virtually impossible" for any winner to continue to attract the post-competition attention. What is possible for a Van Cliburn winner to do is intentionally slow down the pace, to build a semblance of normalcy into a career right from the start.

Pedroni, for example, says he has been careful not to take on too many engagements. "The music becomes boring if you play it too much," he says. Rodzinski thus paints a vision of a post-competition career with "a slight dip, but then a nice, slow, steady growth We're not going to be turning out great artists right away. We hope they will become great artists." In the end, that hope may be the most that the Van Cliburn and the hundreds of other competitions can offer. John Bryan, the head of the Palm Beach International Piano Competition, the only Van Cliburn-type event in the area, speaks of "identifying great talent" with "potential for a major international career." Whether the potential will be fulfilled is up to the pianist alone.

As Kuleshov says: "The real competition is after the competition. It's the competition of life." VAN CLIBURN From 1J every four years. Even then, says this year's second-place winner Valery Kule-shov, "the money is secondary It's the possibility to play around the United States and Europe. This is the most important thing." Simone Pedroni, the first-place winner, is more direct in his assessment of the prize package: "I think this is the only way for a young pianist to begin a career." But what happens after the initial flurry of activity runs out? That's the real problem, competi-'tion critics insist, noting that the artist hasn't been given time to properly mature. "It burdens young pianists with unfulfillable expectations, and with fatiguing schedules preempt-; ing study, reflection and personal growth," writes Joseph Horowitz in his snide study of the competi LOSES TIM CONWAY and TOM POSTON starring in TIM CONWAY'S HILARIOUS NEW COMEDY SffiE Mills ATE iuCCCX33 CEGS5 SEP 7i if Iilf0 ah tfe if JMtmeikw 1 1 i rl r-TOMMY TUNEi rMITZI GAYNOR A Experience the magic this holiday season! Ballet Florida presents Marie Hale's spectacular million dollar production featuring stunning sets designed by Eduardo Sicangco, costumes by A.

Christina Giannini and lighting by Kirk Bookman. Accompanied by the Greater Palm Beach Symphony. December 27 January 1 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Ballet Florida Marie Hale, Artistic Director Charles Surber, Executive Director Tickets available for evening and matinee performances through the ballet Florida box Office (407) 659-2000 or (800) 540-0172, the Kravis Center Box Office (800) KRAVIS-1 and Ticketmaster (407) 966-3309 starring in THE MITZI GAYNOR SHOW ONE WEEK ONLY! December 28th January 2nd MOONLIGHTING IN JUPITER ONE WEEK ONLY! January 4th January 9th HOLIDAY GIFT FICATES USAirl In accordance with the Clean Indoor Air Act, The Jupiter Theatre is a Smoke-Free facility. POA National Knurl Spa ILLUSTRATED IftachaiuniyfYmda Mill House Antiques 00 JtT Tiff HMO svwmriM. SUPPORTED BY.