Where democracy is under pressure and crisis reigns, alternative participatory models are developed, as evidenced by the recent worldwide gulf of revolts and protest movements. One of the brightest among them was the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine. In times of social and political transitions and disturbances there is an urgent need for art. Not because art can change reality, but because it serves as an ideal tool to visualize and predict changes. Art creates space for reflection and contemplation, where alternative pathways can be imagined and where new, critical perspectives can be developed. Art allows us to ask what we can learn from the recent gulf of protest movements such as the Revolution of Dignity?
‘Revolutionize!’ exhibition opens on November 21st at Mystetskyi Arsenal. It is an international research and exhibition project that brings together art and museum institutions from Ukraine and the Netherlands. 36 contemporary artists and art groups from 15 countries through the language of installation, painting, multimedia, video and photo speak about the revolutionary events, and analyze the revolution as a social phenomenon. A personal, critical, and retrospective view focuses on a special historical event – the Revolution of Dignity. The exhibition also presents artifacts from the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity collection.
Participants’ and artworks’ diversity is an attempt to go beyond the already acquired patterns of the Revolution of Dignity perception. ‘Revolutionize!’ puts Ukrainian events into a wider world context, presenting simultaneously the uniqueness and universality of certain situations, events and phenomena. The exhibition demonstrates that the aspiration for freedom, decent living standards, respect for citizens are the universal values shared by all people.
The project creates a possibility for visitors to explore, recall, discuss, leave their thoughts about the Revolution of Dignity. The exhibition provides a platform for an open discussion about the role of art and artists during the revolution and the ability/capability to talk about recent historical events in the language of art.
Project curators: Kateryna Filyuk (Ukraine), Nathanja van Dijk (Netherlands)
Organizers: National Art and Culture Museum Complex ‘Mystetskyi Arsenal’, National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred - Revolution of Dignity Museum, ‘A Tale of a Tub’ Foundation (Netherlands).
The project is implemented with support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.
National Art and Culture Museum Complex ‘Mystetskyi Arsenal’ is a flagship Ukrainian cultural institution that aims to promote the modernization of Ukrainian society and the integration of Ukraine into the world context, basing on the value potential of culture. Synthesis and development of contemporary art, new music, theater, literature and museum spheres are made through exhibition projects and activities of the laboratories. Thus, various arts are developing and enriching each other, while artistic and professional communities find points of intersection and mutual reinforcement. Mystetskyi Arsenal also serves as a platform for interaction with the world's cultural community through joint cultural projects.
National Memorial Complex of Heroes of Heavenly Hundred – Museum of the Revolution of Dignity is a multi-purpose cultural and educational center. The museum keeps, studies and presents a collection of historical objects related to the movement for freedom, in particular with the Revolution of Dignity, previous Maidans and recent revolutions abroad. Also, it disseminates experience and memory of national and personal freedom, dignity and human rights in Ukraine and in the world. As well as encourages public initiatives for the establishment of democratic values in Ukraine.
A Tale of a Tub is an exhibition-space based in Rotterdam. It is committed to supporting developments in contemporary art and to investigate their meaning within today’s society. A Tale of a Tub offers a testing ground for ideas stemming from the practices of artists, curators and theorists.
The Ukrainian Cultural Foundation is a state-owned institution created in 2017 in correspondence with the Law of Ukraine with aim to facilitate development of culture and arts in Ukraine, to provide favourable environment for development of intellectual and spiritual potential of individuals and society, wide access for the citizens to national cultural heritage, to support cultural diversity and integration of the Ukrainian culture into the world cultural space. Activities of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation are guided and coordinated by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine.
REFERENCE INFORMATION – Press Service of the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity: press@maidanmuseum.org, tel. +38 (098) 661-18-33, +38 (063) 972-59-84, +38 (099) 717-59-95.