M
any contemporary artists study the present world through a creative search for answers to questions that concern humanity. The project «Quo Vadis?» is devoted to one of the most urgent topics in the history of civilization - where we are headed and what will happen to our world. The concept of the exhibit provides an opportunity to reflect on issues that concern everyone and to understand that the future is in our hands. Humanity must be strong and face its own problems in order to overcome them.
Adrian Aftanaziv Zenko Gallery, founder
We presented this project with America House, the main cultural and educational platform of the United States in Ukraine. Part of the exhibit was presented at the America House Gallery in Kyiv, emphasizing the project’s social aspects. The other part of the exhibit was presented in the Zenko Foundation art space in Tatariv, where the exhibit was supplemented with a series of watercolor paintings depicting the beauty of our world.
Artists
Serhiy Druziaka Serhiy Lytvynov
Christi Anne Hofland, Director of America House, said that the exhibition had a powerful visual effect on U.S. cultural diplomacy efforts in Ukraine, “We believe that this joint artistic project combining Ukrainian and American art spaces is important for establishing ties, understanding and cultural diplomacy between our two countries. Art helps us realize our common human values that unite people around the world - the ability to overcome difficulties and support each other in difficult times. This exhibit shows the beauty of the earth, despite the wars and catastrophes, and the belief that the good will win.” Christi Anne Hofland America House, director
Organizers:
Partners:
The project was exhibited simultaneously in two art spaces in Ukraine. The first part was presented at America House - the main cultural platform of the United States in Ukraine.
In the gallery of America House, the exhibit consisted of three parts - works devoted to the 9/11 tragedy in the United States, works telling about the Chornobyl disaster in Ukraine, and paintings depicting that the world can be saved through love, beauty and goodness.
The art project of Serhiy Druziaka and Serhiy Lytvynov, Ukrainian artists-nonconformists is devoted to the modern world, which stands on the brink of disaster in all its fragility and beauty.
The second part of the exhibition «Quo Vadis?» was presented in the art space of the Zenko Foundation in Tatariv (hotel complex «Koruna»). Thematic series of paintings were exhibited in each hall of the art space. The ironic series «Wild Masks» - metaphorical images used by people in everyday life - was housed in the first hall. Watercolor paintings were presented in the second hall, and a series of «Bubbles» devoted to unusual still-lifes were displayed in the third hall. According to the authors, the empty forms in this series gained new meaning.
In Tatariv, the project combined lyrics and drama. Many of the presented works were devoted to the beauty of our world and they ideally suited the art space located in the natural landscapes of the Ukrainian Carpathians.
Usually, the technique of watercolor paintings involves small works - but in the art space of the Zenko Foundation in Koruna, the artists presented two meters paintings. The project participants are a part of the Ukrainian nonconformist movement - an artistic movement dedicated to changing established stereotypes.
info@zenkofoundation.com
«Українське сучасне мистецтво. З приватних колекцій»
Zenko Foundation is founded in 2015, the main mission of the art institution is to support and promote Ukrainian contemporary art. Zenko Foundation’s development priorities focus on exhibits; artist participation in large-scale national and international projects; support for the artist’s individual projects and a web portal which contains Foundation’s art collection, reference materials, video interviews with artists, and archival materials on the history of contemporary art of Ukraine. Each year the foundation presents a new art project in different Ukrainian cities. The debut project of the foundation was the exhibition «Ukrainian Contemporary Art. From Private Collections». The Zenko Foundation collection has more than 200 works by Ukrainian contemporary artists.
«Сучасна класика. Твори з колекції Zenko Foundation»
TEAM
Yuliia Nuzhyna Alina Komisar,
American House is a dynamic tech-forward space for learning, development, creativity and dialogue. All resources and activities at the center are free of charge. As a cultural representation of the United States in Ukraine, America House is a platform for the exchange of ideas, experiences and culture between the U.S. and Ukraine. The center’s informal atmosphere, access to the latest technology, and cozy cafe are open to everyone.
America House, Gallery Curator
Project coordinator Adrian Aftanaziv
Marketing, PR & Communications Iryna Gorodetska Всеукраїнський арт-проект «Килим. Сучасні українські митці».
Design, layout Serhiy Fedynyak
Photo Maksym Belousov
Logistics Artur Antonenko
«Quo Vadis?»
americahousekyiv.org
Project curators