Exhibition of Scenography by Dmitry Gorolevich

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Created on Wednesday, 03 June 2026 09:16

In the scenography of Dmitry Gorolevich, a production designer and director at the Belarusian «Lyalka» Theatre, a distinctive personal style and unique vision of the productions clearly emerge, along with a cohesive concept.

Dmitry Gorolevich's sketches are far more than mere schematic plans on paper; they represent a collection of his own thoughts and emotions. His work reveals the signature approach of a painter and master of decorative and applied arts. Each drawing stands as a complete artwork, ready to be exhibited.

The exhibition «Beyond the Surface...» showcases scenographic and costume sketches for five productions from the Vitebsk «Lyalka» Theatre: «Oh, the Golden Snuffbox», «The Dolls of Timm Thaler, or The Sold Laugh», «Charamora», «My Big Little Grandfather», and «Paths of Good Encounters». Traditional Belarusian weaving inspired the artist to create original sets for «Oh, the Golden Snuffbox», based on his bespoke weaving techniques and textile appliqué. A key aim was to immerse the audience in an atmosphere rich with Belarusian ethnic, folkloric, and historical motifs.

«I tried to show that Belarusians have their unique culture, history, and traditions. All the set pieces together represent a stylized ritual of the Belarusian land, an ethnic cosmos inhabited by the characters of the fairy tale».

The production «The Dolls of Timm Thaler, or The Sold Laugh» is atmospheric and remarkable. Using his own artistic language, Dmitry Gorolevich conveyed a moral tale about Baron Troche, poverty, wealth, sea voyages, and the protagonist's adventures.

The sketches for «My Big Little Grandfather» are lyrical and touching. Dmitry captured the magical world of childlike imagination through multilayered, multicolored textures and patterns, unusual materials, large puppets, and vivid colors.

In the sketches for the children's play «Paths of Good Encounters», the artist pays close attention to character portrayal. The main characters are animals and inanimate objects. Dmitry Gorolevich employs a humanization technique, dressing and animating them as people – walking, sitting, and behaving with distinctly human traits, including kindness, intelligence, timidity, and bravery.

For modern puppet theatre scenography, the individuality of the artist, his distinctive style, and worldview are essential. Dmitry Gorolevich's auteur approach not only transforms the stage space but also profoundly influences every element of his productions.

The scenography exhibition «Beyond the Surface... » by Dmitry Gorolevich of the Belarusian «Lyalka» Theatre is presented at the gallery on the first floor of the Vitebsk Regional Library from June 2 to June 30, 2026.

Tatyana Gorolevich, Master of Art History