An Artistic Evolution

During the Renaissance, artists carried the responsibility of creating an accurate reflection of reality, with a desire to catch the beauty of life, humanity, nature, as well as the body. This was society’s window into the wider world. Kyiv makes just such an attempt this month with the fourth annual Kyiv Art Week

At the turn of the 19^th century, the art world experienced its first major change with the introduction of impressionism, and by the 20^th century, artistic representation was shaken up dramatically with movements such as post-impressionism, symbolism, and modernism. Artists stopped depicting the outside world as it is plainly seen, but rather their impressions of it, how it made them think and feel, how they experienced the world, and how it influenced them. No longer was just the subject of the art important, but immense attention was turned towards the colours, the texture, and the medium.

Now we’re well into the 21^st century, how are artists today responding to the world around us? How do artists understand modern day Kyiv? You can find out from 20 to 26 May, as Kyiv Art Week celebrates its fourth international festival of contemporary art.

An A-fair to Remember

The festival showcases contemporary culture, current movements and styles, as well as planned talks from artists making their modern art more accessible. The official opening is dubbed the Kyiv Art Fair and is on 23 May, featuring an audio-visual show of the exhibitions and workshops ahead. Everyone is welcome.

Footnote 11 is a special project and site-specific exhibition by Barbara Pivovarska (curator of the Polish Pavilion of the Venice Biennale) and Guillaume Roulo (French critic and curator) at Volodymyrskiy Market. The collection features young artists from Ukraine, Poland, France as well as famous 20^th century modernists. A private guided tour is on offer by the curators on 25 May. But be warned – prior registration is required.

NB is another collection not to be missed. Carrying works of sculptor Vladimir Sai, an artist constantly experimenting with material and form. Always verging on the precipice of the unknown, his works will be exhibited at the Shevchenko Museum.

For the first time in Kyiv, Swiss artist Marianne Hollenstein will be showing her work on 24 May at Independent Art Space on Yaroslaviv Val. As performance art, Human Condition destabilises the pragmatic perspective, provoking thought and action. Access is with Kyiv Art Week VIP Card only. Likewise, Christian Fogarolli’s exhibition Phantom Models 6, showcasing at the National Museum of Medicine of Ukraine, looks at the intersection between contemporary art and scientific investigation. Registration is required.

Throughout Kyiv Art Week, Ukrainian galleries will be opening their doors free of charge and selling many of their works. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the pricing and bidding process of the art world.

After-parties will be hosted for participants, gallery owners, journalists, curators, artists, and special guests, so make sure you check out the links to get on the invite lists! But perhaps the most exciting element of Kyiv Art Week 2019 is the opportunity to speak to curators or artists in person about their works at each exhibit in several languages, including English.

Rene Magritte used to say, “Art awakens a mystery without which the world will not exist.” Perhaps it’s time to discover that mystery.