Reports, notes, interviews

Exhibition of Ukrainian artists’ works of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, culminating in auction on February 21, 2009, opened last Saturday at the House of Scientists. Yelena Yagodovskaya, a famous art critic, is a curator of the event.

The display is held under the patronage of «GolfStream. Kiev Golf Club» Project.

The exhibition of 137 paintings is located on two floors of the building. Chamber, «old» environment and pictures on «tripods» (easels) is interior that has nothing intentionally «strange» or provocative. It rather has classicism and even external simplicity, which inclines to intimacy and a close exchange of cultural memory. Perhaps, it is exactly the way one could see this show: as a regular and personal discovery of cultural heritage, as a conversation on eternal that embedded in aesthetic experience of several generations.

All works are very different in fact. The second floor is dominated by traditional painting and drawing that continue to impress with elegance and precision of technique, and, therefore, with beauty, which flows into senses, thoughts and emotions... The pictures, presented on the first floor, seem to be more promiscuous in stylistics. Here, «modernity» prevails and one feels diversity of not just techniques but ways to think and experience art in «post-classical» time.

More information about a concept of the exhibition and presented works is here.

MYSTERY-HIT

«Usually, exhibitions are formed around some thematic attribute or concept. This event has a different task because it precedes an auction.


Therefore, the only principle is that it collected the most interesting contemporary artists and the most representative works of the twentieth century», said known political scientist and philosopher Andrey Okara. For the first time this «collective political portrait» appeared in Internet in Andrey's blog and now debates around the provoking picture continue at the exhibition in «a live and non-journal» format. about this pre-auction display. We meet him near perhaps the most extravagant painting «Mystery of political transformations» by Oleg Mingalev.

Author Oleg Mingalev:

«Many well-known political scientists indirectly took part in creation of this picture. All of them were trying to suggest something, though usually an artist is on his own way of feeling. This picture can be taken as my reaction to invasion of television and political anarchy into the interior of a man. «Dada Circus», I would say... But, along with the theme of crisis, I want to offer here a bit of «a rising sun», which gives confidence that we will overcome the sickness of strives between ourselves. On the road to corporatism, to solidary values, we could feel ourselves as a society, which is responsible for the entire distributed negative.

By the way, crisis is the «best» time for reassessment of values. The true remains and the false dies. People of culture and spirit are strengthened by hard times if they do not betray their principles. Therefore, this exhibition makes me happy: it is a brave and bold move against all odds and all!»

ANTI-CRISIS

Immunization against crisis... Willing or not, in current realities this issue relates to almost any endeavour: «is it a right time?», «are we able?...» But art auction is a special event. Firstly, at any time, no matter how sharp «economic» consciousness was, art is recognized as the best object for investments. Secondly, cultural events, including this exhibition and auction, do not have trivial «material» meaning. They do not look timely for all, in practical terms, but almost always are – from the point of view of eternity.

Henryk Jerdej (Poland – Ukraine), collector, Board Member of the Union of Polish entrepreneurs:

«Poland has well-developed networks of antiques. As for auctions, more often they are conducted by auction houses, the largest of which are located in Warsaw (ALTIUS, LAMUS, Agra-Art, OKNA SZTUKI etc.), Krakow (DESA, NAUTILUS), Gdansk (Sopocki Dom Aukcyjny). Of course, making a profit is the main goal for them. They buy art and then sell at auctions.

However, an art auction is a good reason not just for acquiring a valuable thing and a material object. Here, people understand that we need to maintain and bring up our soul. Art helps us to become stronger, especially in such difficult times, like the present.

It is a pity that such celebrations are rare in Ukraine. Ukrainians love art and there is a lot of evidence of that. Khanenko family, for example... And I think this form of sale can find a lot of fans. Moreover, a person with very good taste presents this exhibition. Yelena Yagodovskaya is not just a well-known art critic. She sees and chooses the best and is able to create a perfect atmosphere!»

Read in the following material:
Sensation of the exhibition – an early work of Kazimir Malevich is found?
Doctor of Arts N.I. Veligotskaya gives an interview with explanations.