Psychotherapy through art

On March 1 Ukraine House saw the opening of the Grand Salon of Sculpture 2007. The organizers exhibited over 300 works of Ukrainian masters of different generations, artistic styles, and trends in an area measuring 1,000 sq. m. All 43 sculptors are our contemporaries, who have captured the national market in the past 15 years. Many of their works are reproduced in the catalogue accompanying the exhibition. As was to be expected, this high-profile cultural event drew a host of aficionados, including representatives of the artistic beau monde, entertainment business, and the government, who flocked to the four large halls of Ukraine House. It was no surprise to see ex-president Leonid Kravchuk, who made opening remarks, as well as many other VIP guests on opening night.

Artists constituted the vast majority of the participants and guests. The Day asked some of them to give their opinion of this important cultural and social event.

Oleh PINCHUK, sculptor:

“It was an ingenious idea to hold this salon. It has been in the air for a long time, and now, thanks to Ukraine House director Natalia Zabolotna, it has come true. There has been no holiday of art like this — with so many talented and professionally executed works, and interesting discoveries and elements — in the past 15-17 years. That’s why this idea deserves support. Among other things, the salon is having a positive impact on developing the Ukrainian art market through the media, personal contacts, and people who are interested in art and are aware that money should be invested not just in cars and real estate but in art as well. God willing, it won’t be the last one.”

Serhii POIARKOV, artist:

“I generally think that an exhibit that originates with true enthusiasts, not the hide-bound Union of Artists, is a good thing. It clearly shows that we are increasingly becoming a worldly state. Artists should do what they are more interested in rather than in what can generate more money. They should also present their works on the market in a way that will help restructure the latter. I have always believed that an artist, sculptor, writer, or singer should never adapt themselves to the market but adapt the market to themselves. This is the only formula that works — if a certain doctor makes up a different one, he is a quack, pure and simple.

“There is a very great demand for art in Ukraine, and prices have almost reached the European level. Oleh Pinchuk, Oksana Mas, Zhenia Hapchynska, and I feel this directly. These are examples of how people can earn a pretty good living from their profession without adapting themselves to the market but, instead, forming their own niches. This is very important because there are no galleries in Ukraine: we only have second-hand shops. Where there are no galleries, only artists, the latter have to choose between eking out an existence or doing something. My choice is to do something, and I am pleased that my choice is appreciated by a lot of people. Whenever I visit exhibits like this, I see that the radiant future has already come to some artists and is coming to an increasingly greater number of others. All those who are generally interested in Ukrainian art should come and see this exhibit.”

Yurii BAHALIKA, sculptor:

“It was a good idea to hold this salon. This kind of exhibit should have been held a long time ago. Our country is going through a very difficult period of transition from ideology-loaded to genuine art. But the state is absolutely indifferent to the problems of art: there are no government officials at most art events.

“After what I saw at Ukraine House, I wonder why it is that in a country where sculptors of such a high level live and work, absolutely tasteless and artistically worthless monuments tower in downtown Kyiv and other cities. There must be an answer to this question, but that’s an entirely different story. It is gratifying that, despite the state’s chronic apathy, Ukrainian art is still struggling — and with proudly raised head at that — on a wing and a prayer thanks to art lovers. The Grand Salon of Sculpture, which features the maximum concentration of art per square meter is the best proof of this, a case of true art therapy. Come and see for yourselves! The show is on until March 11.”