The works were created during the greatest trials: the “Altar” exhibition opened in the Ukrainian House
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The exhibition project “Altar” by the artist Oleksandr Zhivotkov was opened at the “Ukrainian House” in Kyiv. All works from the exposition were created by the artist in moments of the highest emotional tension – during the revolution of 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The organizers are the Ukrainian House and the Stedley Art Foundation. The author was present at the opening of the “Altar”. Connoisseurs of the artist’s work noted that Zhivotkov came to the official opening part of the exhibition for the first time in 15 years. Oleksandr Zhivotkov’s “Altar” exhibition was opened in the Ukrainian House. Photo: press service Oleksandr Zhivotkov worked on the cycle “Kyiv. 2014” during the tragic and heroic winter of 2014. “This is the embodiment of the artist’s hope that, having “defeated death with death”, Ukrainians will no longer be forced to sacrifice human lives on the altar of freedom,” the organizers explain. Oleksandr Zhivotkov’s “Altar” exhibition was opened in the Ukrainian House. Photo: press service From February 24, 2022, despite the rocket attacks, the artist continued to work in the Kyiv workshop. According to him, fear and grief did not leave until he started working. “Zhyvotkov recorded the modern tragedy of Ukraine, which is struggling with Russian barbarism, in sculptural reliefs and counter-reliefs made of stone and wood,” Ukrainian House commented. Oleksandr Zhivotkov’s “Altar” exhibition was opened in the Ukrainian House. Photo: press service. Thus, the “Vivtar” exhibition combined works that carry the energy of the most powerful, symbolic periods of concentration of the Ukrainian struggle, the awakening of strength, and at the same time speak to the collective memory, have deep symbolism. Read also: Drawings on ceramics and casts from the body: the works of Maria Kulikovska will be shown in Hong Kong “THESE works focus the audience’s attention on the transcendent and destroy the boundary between the sacred and profane worlds. They are like ancient altars, which on a symbolic level mean a point of transition to another world , in Zhivotkov become a portal deep into the history of mankind,” the organizers commented. Oleksandr Zhivotkov’s “Altar” exhibition was opened in the Ukrainian House. Photo: press service Most of Oleksandr Zhivotkov’s works presented at the exhibition are dedicated to specific dates and places that will forever remain open wounds in the hearts of Ukrainians – Bucha, Mariupol, Irpin, Kherson, Vinnytsia. Oleksandr Zhivotkov’s “Altar” exhibition was opened in the Ukrainian House. Photo: press service About the technique and symbols of the artist Oleksandr Zhivotkov works in various artistic techniques. Experiments with materials: cardboard, paper, gauze, sand, earth, soot, stone. He creates paintings on canvas, wooden boards, non-figurative minimalist paintings without bright colors. Often works with textures such as sand mixed with paint or brick chips. In his work, he uses a specific symbolic system (fish, figure or head of a woman, cross, bird, etc.). This symbolism is present in many of Zhivotkov’s works, in particular in the exposition “Altar”, and has its origins in the images of Christian iconography. The asceticism of the palette is attractive to the works.
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