Nikolai Zykov
Encyclopedia
Nikolai Zykov (born May 8, 1965) is a Soviet and Russia
n actor, director, artist, designer, puppet-maker, master puppeteer
.
in a family of engineers, whose life was not related to art. He is the son of Viktor Zykov, who is a scientist-physics, inventor, and Candidate of Sciences, and Tatiana Zykova (née Smyslova), who is an engineer-technologist and teacher.
When Zykov was five years old, his parents took him to the Puppet Theatre of Sergey Obraztsov
, who is the great grand-uncle of Nikolai Zykov.
After the show, Zykov created his own theatre in his house and presented puppet performances for his parents and his younger sister. At that time he did not make puppets by himself. Instead, he took details of toys and inter-connected them with wire.
Zykov has created over 80 puppet vignettes, which include marionette
s, hand
, rod, giant, radio-controlled and experimental puppets of unusual construction.
Zykov constantly developed the technology and has created many new construction and technological innovations. Some of the more innovative designs include:
Zykov has been a member of Russian Authors Organization since 1997.
In 1994-1995, Zykov hosted the children's television show, "Everyday is holiday" on Russian State Television.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n actor, director, artist, designer, puppet-maker, master puppeteer
Puppeteer
A puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object, such as a puppet, in real time to create the illusion of life. The puppeteer may be visible to or hidden from the audience. A puppeteer can operate a puppet indirectly by the use of strings, rods, wires, electronics or directly by his or...
.
Personal background
Nikolai Zykov was born in 1965 in MoscowMoscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
in a family of engineers, whose life was not related to art. He is the son of Viktor Zykov, who is a scientist-physics, inventor, and Candidate of Sciences, and Tatiana Zykova (née Smyslova), who is an engineer-technologist and teacher.
When Zykov was five years old, his parents took him to the Puppet Theatre of Sergey Obraztsov
Sergey Obraztsov
Sergey Vladimirovich Obraztsov was a Soviet and Russian puppeteer who is credited by the Encyclopædia Britannica with "establishing puppetry as an art form in the Soviet Union." Rod theaters in many countries of the world owe their establishment to Obraztsov's influence...
, who is the great grand-uncle of Nikolai Zykov.
After the show, Zykov created his own theatre in his house and presented puppet performances for his parents and his younger sister. At that time he did not make puppets by himself. Instead, he took details of toys and inter-connected them with wire.
Educational background
- 1972-1982: Primary and Secondary School (compulsory general education)
- 1972-1973: Moscow Boys ChoirMoscow Boys Choir-History:Founded in 1957, the performing chorus is an all-boy choir under the direction of Leonid Baklushin.-Voices & Performances:Although most of the boys are sopranos, the adolescents also attain bass, baritone, and tenor range...
(fortepiano, choir, solfeggio) - 1973-1979: Moscow Music School (fortepiano, vocal, solfeggio, music literature, music composition)
- 1977-1983: Arcady Kovtun Puppet Studio (drawing, puppet construction, puppet making, puppet performing)
- 1980-1982: Tatiana Kakovkina Drama Studio (acting, poetry declamation, stage moving)
- 1982-1988: Moscow Aviation InstituteMoscow Aviation InstituteMoscow Aviation Institute is one of several major engineering higher education establishments in Moscow .Although the school is currently offering a wide range of majors and research...
State University of Aerospace Technology (construction and design of electro-mechanic systems) Received his Master of ScienceMaster of ScienceA Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree.
Professional background
Puppets
Zykov began making puppets for his performances in 1977. In 1980, he made his first puppet vignette. In 1985, he created his first solo puppet performance and founded his own professional Nikolai Zykov Theatre.Zykov has created over 80 puppet vignettes, which include marionette
Marionette
A marionette is a puppet controlled from above using wires or strings depending on regional variations. A marionette's puppeteer is called a manipulator. Marionettes are operated with the puppeteer hidden or revealed to an audience by using a vertical or horizontal control bar in different forms...
s, hand
Hand puppet
A hand puppet is a type of puppet that is controlled by the leg or face that occupies the interior of the puppet. Glove puppets are a variation of hand puppets...
, rod, giant, radio-controlled and experimental puppets of unusual construction.
Zykov constantly developed the technology and has created many new construction and technological innovations. Some of the more innovative designs include:
- new not-wood constructions of marionettes (new constructions reduced the weight of marionette in several times and opens new possibilities for this type of puppets) - puppet "Italian Singer"(1983) and others,
- new original constructions of transformation of marionettes - vignette "Second birth"(1989) and others,
- new fiberglass controls of marionettes (fiberglass control is extra light and it is practically "invisible" for spectators) - vignette "Funny Company"(1994) and others,
- new original radio-controlled puppets - vignette "Spider"(2000) and others,
- new original constructions for flying puppets above the spectators - vignette "Microcosmos"(2002) and others.
Performances
Zykov is an author of over 20 puppet performances. These performances include:- "Nikolai Zykov presents his puppets" (1985)
- "Only for Adults" (1986)
- "From Prehistoric Man to Aliens" (1989)
- "The Magic World of Marionettes" (1993)
- "The Touch to the Miracle" (1994)
- "Paradise Bird" (1996)
- "Dinosaur and his company" (1998)
- "Cabaret of Metamorphoses" (2000)
- "Giant and others" (2003)
- "Puppet Benefice" (2003)
- "Exclusive Marionettes" (2006)
- "Workshop of Miracles" (2007)
- "Other Puppets" (2008)
Zykov has been a member of Russian Authors Organization since 1997.
Television
Puppets of Zykov took part in many popular television shows in USSR, Russia and abroad.In 1994-1995, Zykov hosted the children's television show, "Everyday is holiday" on Russian State Television.
Tours
Zykov has performed in 35 countries around the world. These include:
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Awards
- Diplomas of several competitions and festivals in Russia
- Gold Medal of the International Festival Arbeiterfestspiele in DDR, 1984
- Medal for Labour Valour of Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union (Parliament of the USSR) for outstanding contribution in culture, 1986
- "Arts Innovation" award of the 12th China Shanghai International Arts Festival and the 2nd Shanghai International Puppet Festival Golden Magnolia, 2010