Proposal for Exhibition in Brussels

Through Maidan and Beyond — Kyiv Contemporary Art Scene —

brus se ls , may 2 0 15

The Exhibition

In Brussels the group exhibition will present contemporary art from Ukraine, which reflects the actual social agenda. Protests at Maidan covered the front pages of top world newspapers, they have changed the perception of the city by its inhabitants and the international view on Ukrainian society.

The project lets viewers see the story behind Maidan protests, and comprehend the contrasting experience of two cities. People in Kyiv have been verifying European values, the values of freedom and human rights, through protests and struggle. In Brussels these values will been taken for granted, while the complicated way they were gained is still the ground of present-day mentality.

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Concept

The group exhibition presents works by artists from Ukraine, who respond to the events unfolding in the country, study circumstances preceding the change, and envision the new society. The story can be perceived through its three imaginary intermingling chapters: Premonition, Reaction, and Reflection.

The introduction consists of works created before November 2013, that stress the causes of protests, including corruption, police brutality, living conditions of people in different regions, and their correlation with state economic policies. The second part of the exhibition, Reaction, consists mostly of documentary works and immediate artistic description of the events. The personal angle of experiences presents a variety of stories that wind up into the large-scale overview of protests, unannounced military aggression, and ultimate war. Reflection is the chapter that shows the current results and development of the situation in society, as well as the relative vision of its future fruit. Art creates an essential link between the present and the future, and the stories it tells pose relevant questions about the nature of change and general social aspirations.

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Artists

The exhibition aims to showcase the diversity of subjectivities as well as joint participation of artists in shaping of Kyiv art scene. Therefore, artists who participate in the project represent different generations and regions, world-views and communities.

The works were created before, throughout, either afterwards the protests of winter 2013–2014, as the mediation of present-day experiences usingdifferent media: graphics, sculpture, photography and video, multimedia installations.

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Catalogue

Significance

— Project for culture diplomacy: using the soft

power of art to tell the story about situation in Ukraine and positioning Kyiv abroad as a modern city with contemporary culture sharing European values — Presenting cutting-edge art from Ukraine to European

audience — Constructing culture links between Brussels and Kyiv

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Significance

— Showing Kyiv contemporary art scene to Belgium

citizens, creating unique culture project — Presenting the fresh view on the importance of European values through Ukrainian protests — Constructing integrative and mutually beneficial ties between Ukrainian and European cultural scene

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Artists — Preliminary list —

R.E.P. Group

Smuggling, 2007 "Smuggling" (2007) was carried out at a checkpoint on the border of Ukraine and Poland. Artists transferred across the border Russian oil in rubber hot water bottles and Russian gas in inflated balloons. Along with that, they documented the life of petty smugglers - Ukrainians, who live near the border and transfer similar hot-water bottles filled with vodka or spirit, as well as packs of cigarettes taped to their bodies under clothes.

Established 2004 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ksenia Gnilitskaya (born in 1984 in Kiev, Ukraine), Nikita Kadan (born in 1982 in Kiev, Ukraine), Zhanna Kadyrova (born in 1981 in Brovary, Ukraine), Vladimir Kuznetsov (born in 1976 in Lutsk, Ukraine), Lada Nakonechnaya (born in 1982 in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine), Lesia Khomenko (born in 1980 in Kiev, Ukraine). Having in mind a wide and diverse social background of the R.E.P. group, the artists have chosen not only to ‘practice collectivity, but also thematize it’. Since 2007 they have been involving other groups in joint projects, presenting various forms of collaboration in one space.

Lada Nakonechna

Personal shield, 2011 The work, based on a fragment of fences placed around administrative buildings, is a metaphor for turning objects of restriction into means of fight against restriction.

Graduated from the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, Kiev (2006). The member of R.E.P. group and Hudrada Curatorial Union.

Finalist of Kazimir Malevich Art Prize (2008) and PinchukArtСentre Prize (2009, 2011). Lada’s works were exhibited at the National Art Museum of Ukraine, Centre for Contemporary Art Zamek Ujazdowski (Poland), State Contemporary Art Museum of Russian Academy of Arts (Russia), Kalmar Konstmuseum (Sweden), Kunstraum München (Germany), De Appel Art Centre (Netherlands), in the public space of Leipzig, Lublin, and Kiev. The artist has participated in the projects of Venice, Kiev, Moscow, Prague, and Katowice biennials, as well as other international exhibitions.

Mykola Ridnyi

Water grinds the stone, 2014 The installation created in cooperation with ex-policemen shows the repressive role of law enforcing bodies in the authoritarian society.

Born 1985 in Kharkiv, Ukraine, where he currently lives and works.

He graduated from the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts.

In 2005 he became co-founder and curator of the gallery-laboratory SOSka, an artist-run space for developing the local culture sphere in Kharkiv. Ridnyi was shortlisted for the PinchukArtCentre Prize 2011. Selected exhibitions include “Ukrainan News” (2013, CSW Zamek Ujazdowsky, Warsaw, Poland), “Environment. Expirience of non-institutional relationships. Kharkiv, 2004– 2012” (2012 , Center for creative industies Fabrika, Moscow, Russia), “Shelter” (2012, Kunstverein das weisse haus, Vienna, Austria)

Anatoliy Byelov

Sketches, 2013 The works that were created as sketched for the musical film present the subjective human struggle and question the human nature.

Born 1977 in Kyiv, Ukraine, where he currently lives and works. He received degrees from the Republican Taras Shevchenko Art School and the National Technical University of Ukraine. He has been a member of the artists groups R.E.P., Penoplast and Emblika Quali. Belov participated in residencies of the Centre for Contemporary Art founded by George Soros in Kyiv (2005) and the Rotor association for contemporary art in Graz (2009).

Nikita Kadan

Controllable accidents, 2013 A series of watercolours presents scenes of violence from the side of law enforcement authorities, showing the ways political struggle intervenes with human body.

Born in 1982. Graduated from the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, Kiev (2006). The member of R.E.P. group and Hudrada Curatorial Union. Was awarded the First PinchukArtCentre Prize in 2011. The artist’s works have been exhibited at the National Art Museum of Ukraine, Centre for Contemporary Art Zamek Ujazdowski (Poland), Museum Hof Van Busleyden (Belgium), The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts (New York, USA), Kalmar Konstmuseum (Sweden), Moscow Museum of Modern Art (Russia), De Appel Art Centre (Netherlands). Nikita frequently takes part in important international exhibitions, the list of which today includes biennials in Venice, Kiev, Moscow, Prague, Katowice, and the First Ural Industrial Biennial.

Dobrynia Ivanov

From The Little Dreams series, 2014

Born 1987 in Kyiv, Ukraine, where he currently lives and works. He studied at the studio of painter Alexander The objects and scenes created through comBabak, but ended up mostly making sculptures and munication with fellow artists present more installations. Since 2009 he is a participant of the and less complex dreams, such as the desire to Genofond program for young Ukrainian art organized by have good roads or to learn English. As a result, Ya Gallery in Kyiv. In 2011, he took part in the Genofond they represent the will for change that exists in Pinakothek at the Titanikas Exhibition Halls of the Vilnius the society.

Academy of Arts and other exhibitions. In 2013 he was nominated for the Henkel Art Award, and became artist in residence at Kyiv A-I-R.

Anna Zvyagintseva

Fragments, 2013

Born 1986 in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. She lives and works in Kyiv. Zvyagintseva studied at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, Kyiv. She was a finalist in the 2010 MUHi Young Anna Zvyagintseva created sketches of everyUkrainian Artists Prize. She has been a member of the curatorial day life, throroughly reflecting the social con- group Hudrada since 2010, and in 2011 was co-founder of ISTM ventions. One of the drawings has been fixed as (Art Workers’ Self-Defense Initiative). Selected exhibitions include a metal sculpture, representing the way habits “Ukrainan News” (CSW Zamek Ujazdowsky, Warsaw, 2013), “FILM PAPIER” (Galerie La Box, Bourges, France, 2013), “Court get deeply mounted in the social body. experiment”, curated by Hudrada (SIZ Gallery, Rijeka, Croatia, 2013)

Volodymyr Kuznetsov

Koliyivshchyna: The Last Judgment, 2013 The work, first created by Kuznetsov for the Ukrainian News exhibiton at CCA Ujazdowski Castle (Warsaw), was banned for exhibiting at the National Centre for Art and Culture Mystetskyi Arsenal in Kyiv las year. The mural depicted the revolutionary masses, guided by the figure of Christ from Michelangelo’s Last Judgment and a member of Pussy Riot wearing a balaclava

Born on September 18, 1976 in Lutsk. Graduated from the Lviv Academy of Arts, Department of Textile Art. Lives and works in Kyiv. Recent exhibitions include The Ukrainians (DAAD gallery, Berlin, 2014), The 30th Biennial of Graphic Arts, (International Centre of Graphic Arts, Ljubljana, 2013), Union of Hovels, with Artistic Council (island of Lido, Venice, 2013), Collateral Event of the 55th Biennale di Venezia, Disobedience Archive (The Republic), with R.E.P. group (Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Turin, Italy, 2013).

Roman Minin

The Plan of Escape from the Donetsk Region, 2013

Born 1981 in Dimitrov in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. He lives and works in Kharkiv. Minin graduated from the Kharkov Academy of Design and Arts in 2008. In 2009 For the people living there it is not only an industry but he received the Talent and Vocation medal from the a way of life. Minin has taken that as the main subject worldwide alliance Peacemaker. He has participated in of his paintings and stained-glass windows, a metaphor for a closed social system that allows no way out. With many group exhibitions and festivals, organizes the Street Art Fest in Kharkov and was head of the program The Plan of Escape from the Donetsk Region, Minin created his own artistic escape route from that impris- Isoliatsya in city space in the Isoliatsya centre of the onment. modern art in Donetsk 2012.

Myroslav Vaida

Cold, 2013-2014

Born in 1977 in Zakarpatsky region. Lives and works in Kyiv. Graduated from Lviv Academy of Arts. Recent A series of paintings with the use of tires start- projects include "Cold" (Karas Gallery, Kyiv, 2014), "Dark" ed before the burning tires turned into an icon- (Bottega Art Gallery, Kyiv, 2014), SPACES: Architecture ic image of Ukrainian protests, The series have of the Common (Kyiv, 2013), Taking Time (Vilnius, been developed, as an hommage to Maidan.

Lithuania, 2012).

Vlada Ralko

Kyiv Diary, 2014 A series of watercolours presents a subjective overview of scenes from Kyiv protests.

Born in 1969 born in Kyiv, Ukraine. In 1988-1994 studied at the Fine Arts Department, Ukraine Academy of Arts.

Selected exhibitions include Signs, Beresnitzky Gallery (Berlin, 2008), Envy to Reality, KAras Gallery (Kyiv, 2008), School wool (Paperworks Gallery, 2007), 2 Moscow biennale of contemporary art (Moscow, 2006), Chinese Erotic Diary, (Gelman Gallery, Moscow, 2003)

Lesia Khomenko

Untitled portraits, 2013-2014 Throughout the protests in Maidan Lesia Khomenko was creating portraits of people in the square. She gave them the drawings and kept carbon copies.

Born on November 26, 1980 in Kyiv. She graduated from the National Academy of Art and Architecture of Ukraine.

She is a co-founder and member of R.E.P. group and curatorial group "Hudrada." Resides in Kiev. Nominated for the PinchukArtCentre Prize in 2009.

Denis Kravets

Untitled, February 2014 Watercolous on paper soaked with tea serverd at Maidan represent the coonnection between basic human support and violent disasters.

Born in 1990. Received the international Golden Camera award (2012). Selected group exhibitions include Kyiv A-I-R final exhibiiton (2013), Expropriation (Grinberg Gallery, Moscow, 2013), Cult of the body (Leisure, UPHA exhibition, London, 2012), Rich & Rich (Galleria Kanava, Imatra, Finland. 2012)

Vova Vorotniov

Untitled, 2014 Being engaged in the protests, the artist took only several pictures on black and white film, that became the aesthetic representation of the mood and the action of Maidan. The photos come along with a series of graphic copies of sniper bullet holes in advertising lightboxes.

Born in 1979 in Chervonohrad, Ukraine. Lives and works in Kyiv. Works with subcultural codes, moving from the graffiti and subculture graphics towards conceptual art and arte-povera. His recent projects include solo show at Upominki gallery, Rotterdam (2013) and group exhibitions at CSW Zamek Ujazdowsky, Warsaw, Poland (2013); ARSENALE 2012 at Mystetskyi Arsenal, Kyiv, Ukraine; “Ukrainian Body� at Visual Culture research Centre, Kyiv, Ukraine (2012).

Ilya Isupov

Untitles series, 2013-2014

Ukrainian graphic and video artist. Born in 1971. Member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine since 1999. Participated in numerous exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad. His works can be found in private collections and galleries in Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan. Lives and works in Kyiv.

Zhanna Kadyrova

Untitled, 2014 The map of Ukraine made of a burnt brick wall with wallpapers on the reverse, reflects the state's condition, similat to the destroyed house in need of renovation

Born 1981 in Brovary in the Kyiv region, Ukraine, where she currently lives and works. She graduated from Taras Shevchenko State Art School and received the Kazimir Malevich Artist Award, the Sergey Kuryokhin Modern Art Award for Public Art, the Grand Prix of the Kyiv Sculpture Project (all 2012) as well as a PinchukArtCentre Special Prize (2011). Her works have been extensively exhibited worldwide, recently at the 55th Venice Biennale, the Moscow Biennale and the Palais de Tokyo, Paris (all 2013).

Alevtina Kakhidze

March of Peace in Moscow, 2014 and other drawings The artist has been fixing most dramatic events, protesters' stories and scenes from the news, creating a personal outline of protests and current events in Ukraine

Born in 1973 in Zhdanovka, Donetsk region, Ukraine. Works with performance, installation, drawings, texts and design objects. Studied at the Jan van Eyck Academie (Maastricht, Netherlands, 2004 – 2006). In 2009 was artist in residency at Open House Iaspis, Stockholm, Sweden. The winner of Kazimir Malevich Artist Award (2008, 2014). Selected exhibitions and projects include the public programme of the Manifesta 10, St. Petersburg, Russia, Drawing Class for Collectors within the 7th Berlin Biennial, I’m late for a plane that’s impossible to be late for, Якщо/Если/ IF (Perm, Museum for Contemporary Art PERMM), 1989–2009: Turbulent World – Telling Time (Berlin, Art Academy, Kiev, National Art Museum of Ukraine, Moscow, National Center of Contemporary Art etc.), Endless Sphere (Kyiv, Center for Contemporary Art at NaUKMA).

Maria Kulikovska

Untitled, 2014 The sculpture, influnced by the images of wounded protesters covered by hospital blankets, embodies the vulnerability and hopes of any person coming out to protest.

Born 1988 in Kerch, Ukraine. She lives and works in Kyiv.

Kulykivska received a masters degree of architecture from the National Academy of Art and Architecture, Kyiv. She was the winner of several contests such as the RutaRuna Project for young artists from Ukraine and Sweden (2013), In Search of Spaces of Negotiation, by Foundation CSM (2012), the Swiss non-profit organization AKKU (2011–2012), Mukhi 2010 at the Bottega Gallery in Kyiv and many others.

Artem Volokitin

Three, two, one! series, 2014 The paintings show aestheticized explosions, the universal media representation of fighting and war, which at the same time become the sublime penetrating everyday life.

Artem Volokytin was born 1981 in Chuguiv, in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. He graduated from Kharkiv State Academy for Design and Arts. In 2009, he won the main prize in the competition for the PinchukArtCentre Prize. He currently lives and works in Kharkiv.

Ivan Melnychuk and Oleksandr Burlaka

New Horizon, 2013-2014 The artists work on real, unfinished or utopian architectural projects in the urban context of Kyiv.

Both were born in 1982 in Kyiv, Ukraine, where they currently live and work. They are architects, members of the Grupa predmetiv group, who specialize in documenting and studying urban transformations. Burlaka is also a member of the Hudrada curatorial association and was a researcher for the exhibition project Trespassing Modernities, SALT Galata, Istanbul. Both artists are participants in the art program Bergen Assembly 2013.

Location The project is adjusted to the location.

Minimalistic gallery space, up to 300 square metres.

Preferably one space.

Events

pre s s prev i ew •

open i n g rec ep tion •

pre sen tat i on w i t h th e org a n i z er s a n d pa rtne rs •

di s cu s si on s a n d a rt ist ta lks

Experience

Through Maidan and Beyond​exhibition was held as part of Vienna Art Week 2014 at ​the Architekturzentrum Wien in MuseumsQuartier from No​​ v​ember​, 17th till Nov​ember​, 30th 2014. ​It p ​ resented works by contemporary artists from Ukraine​, ​who ​had ​respond​ed​to the events unfolding in the country, stud​ied​the circumstances preceding the change, and envision a new society. The project aim​ed​to show the Kyiv contemporary art scene to an European audience.

se bast ian kurz

Austria's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Integration

oleksandr scherba Ukrainian Ambassador to Austria

Through Maidan and Beyond at Vienna Art Week in Media

A RTG U I DE E AST​

​E - FLU X

VIC E

The artists look at issues of Ukraine and Russia within the scope of political thinking they develop, which might not be too far away from some of the messages that can be found in Through Maidan and Beyond

​ The project develops a fresh view on the importance of European values during the Ukrainian protests by constructing ties between the Ukrainian and European cultural scenes,” commented Marc-Milo Lube, the co-initiator of the exhibition

​ Dass im westlichen Kunstkontext manches in der Ausstellung „Maidan And Beyond" schon Selbst-Therapie ist, was im knallharten politischen Alltag der Ukraine noch als künstlerische Reflektion durchgeht, ist völlig egal.

Contacts

ď‚Ź p-c-a.org.ua + 38 067 403 05 55 contact@p-c-a.org.ua

organized by

in asso ciat i on w i t h

Foundation

Kyiv Platform for Contemporary Art (PCA) is an independent non-profit organisation, the work of which is dedicated to developing the cultural scene in Kyiv. PCA works on innovative forms of education for young artists, integration of art into public spaces, realisation of curatorial research projects. The Platform's goal is to create new possibilities for contemporary art in Ukraine, as well as introduce local projects to the international art scene. PCA has been working on collaborative projects with Yorkshire Sculpture Park, CCA Zamek Ujazdowski, and other art institutions worlwide. Kyiv Platform for Contemporary Art was founded in 2009.