My Favorite Book is... - Monique Kleinhans - "The Master and Margarita"

The Master and Margarita is an epic Russian novel written by Mikhail Bulgakov between 1928 and 1940 but wasn't published until 1967 due to it including religious themes that were not permitted in the fervently atheistic Soviet Union.  Instead, the manuscript was passed secretly from person to person and it is a novel that is deeply treasured by many to this day.   

To try and give a brief summary of the book here would be unjust...too many story lines and characters that I would not be able to ignore.  Just a taste of the world Bulgakov created in his novel includes the Devil and his co-horts (including a large black cat with gun) showing up on the streets of Moscow to check in with how things (and souls) are fairing in contemporary society. He is dismayed to find that people do not believe that God or the Devil even exist and goes about trying to give enough proofs of the contrary; a writer who is being persecuted for having written a story that includes religion and the historical figure of Jesus; and a private conversation between Pontius Pilate and Christ before his execution.  These stories and characters all intertwine to create an image ridden fantastical landscape that is entertaining as well as enlightening. 

I was first introduced to this work after meeting members of small theater company in Seattle who were about to embark on the huge task of adapting the novel into a touring show to perform across the Canadian fringe theater circuit.  I was at a crossroads in my own relationship with theater at the time, feeling dissatisfied with the traditional 'dictatorship' structure of the work I was directing--never having experienced any other manner of working. Through circumstance, chance and perhaps some divine guidance, I found myself invited to be a part of the company for this project...(to help with everything...the writing, producing, performing, etc.)  The result of accepting this invitation was an epiphany of every part of my life. Changes in my belief in myself, exploring what comes from working as a collaborator, understanding that the work should always be greater than your own ego and the opportunity to travel the world performing...It remains one of the most important and dear stories and times in my life. 

Because the actual 'manuscript' is a huge part of the story I knew I wanted to incorporate pages from the novel itself.  I also really wanted them to be three dimensional.  I decided to print onto lightweight lutrador, and then stitched them to a cream 'paper' looking fabric. The spring full moon (with Margarita flying across the skies of Moscow) was created with angelina and thread painting.  I used terial magic to create the yellow flowers that caught the Master's eye when he first met Margarita and placed them poking out from the pages.  Taking in everything before them, I have the silhouettes of Professor Woland and his cat Behemoth.  

It was difficult to not clutter the canvas a thousand other images from the multiple stories of this novel. But much as when we adapted this novel to the stage we had to decide which story we wanted to tell.  I enjoyed this challenge and hope that I've inspired your curiosity to check out this book as well.