February 1 with on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the United States government’s “Art in Embassies” program, an exhibition of works of art began in the Kennedy Center (Washington). In particular, it presents exhibits of Ukrainian artists within the project “Beast of War. “Beast of War. Bird of Hope”, organized in partnership between Aspen Institute (USA) and Aspen Institute Kyiv.
The curator of the project is art critic Alisa Lozhkina. On her Facebook, she shared that one of the most famous contemporary artists, Jeff Koons, visited the Kennedy Center.
“He was strongly impressed by Ukrainian art. Koons turned out to be a surprisingly interesting interlocutor, and we still couldn’t stop talking – about Ukraine and its unique artistic tradition”, – told she.
Jeff Koons – American artist. Known for his passion for kitsch, especially in sculpture. His works are among the most expensive works of modern artists.
“A beast of war. “Bird of Hope”: the artist Jeff Koons visited the exhibition of Ukrainian art in the United States. Photo: Alisa Lozhkina/Facebook
I really hope that today was an important contribution to the understanding of the American leaders and heads of museum institutions of Ukraine, its culture and modern art
Alisa Lozhkina
Among the presented works of art are two works by Maria Priymachenko – “Beast of War” and “Bird of Hope”. The exhibition also features 25 works by modern Ukrainian artists, created already during the full-scale military invasion of Ukraine on the territory of Ukraine.
This is an adapted version of the exhibition that took place last year at the Aspen Campus of the Aspen Meadows Institute in Aspen, Colorado (USA) — “Beast of War. Bird of hope”.
“Through the prism of creativity, Ukrainian artists reflect on life in their homeland during the Russian invasion. Art conveys emotions that are difficult to convey in words, especially in the times of this barbaric war,” the organizers say about the exhibition.
A fragment of the exhibition with the works of Olena Naumenko, Yefrem Lukatskyi, Oleksiy Sai, Maria Priymachenko and Danylo Movchan. Photo: Alisa Lozhkina/Facebook
Photo: Alisa Lozhkina/Facebook
In a comment for Suspilne Kultura, the head of the Aspen Supervisory Board of the Kyiv Institute, Nataliya Yaresko, emphasized: “Art is capable of conveying emotions that cannot be described in words. Especially, during Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine. The task of this exhibition is to once again explain to American leaders the inhuman nature of the Russian war and to tell about the incredible will of Ukrainians to victory. I am convinced that our exhibition will contribute to increasing support for Ukraine.”
Author: Polina Horlach
