Hermitage-Guggenheim Museum Opens In Las Vegas

On Friday the Hermitage-Guggenheim Museum located at the Las Vegas Venetian hotel opens its first exhibition "Masterpieces and Master Collectors." According to Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the State Hermitage, the Russian exhibition features works by Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Kandinsky and others from the collection of Morozov and Shchukin, famous Russian arts collectors. Subsequent exhibitions will change twice a year. While responding to the question why Las Vegas had been selected for such a major Russian-American exhibition center, Piotrovsky said that in his opinion no other city can give a better image of the true America. "The famous American labour-addicts who have an occasional opportunity to relax come here to chance their luck in numerous casinos, and also - to partake of something ethereal and everlasting," noted the Hermitage director. The Russian delegation for opening the Exhibition center includes Minister of Culture Mikhail Shvydkoi, Minister of Press Mikhail Lesin, State Duma Deputy Speaker Irina Khakamada, prominent figures of culture and arts.