"Until 2020, the Pinchuk Art Centre's presentation during the Venice Biennale vernissage had been an exuberant celebration of artists under 35, accompanied by one of the opening week's most upscale, premium-invitation parties. But since the outbreak of war in the Kyiv museum's country, it's become a very different show- a critical response to the situation that Ukraine has faced since the Russian invasion in February 2022."
"This year's exhibition, at the Palazzo Contarini-Polignac overlooking the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro, is the third since the invasion and asks how joy can prevail in the harshest of situations. Still Joy - From Ukraine into the World (9 May-1 August) interweaves work by international artists including Tacita Dean and Julian Charriere with those from Ukraine. It also featurestestimonials of the country's soldiers, which pack emotional and political charge."
"Through a foundation for veterans run by Svitlana Grytsenko, the arts centre met Hlib Stryzhko. The former marine, who survived a catastrophic explosion and captivity by the Russians, has turned story-gatherer, interviewing combat survivors about how to carry on with life after shocking ordeals. Quotes from these conversations are scattered across the palazzo's imposing spaces, printed onto glistening pink scrolls by artist Bodhana Kosima."
"The presentation has a fairytale aesthetic; the content-detailing limb loss, death, and the swampy odour of the rescued-does not. Stryzhko spoke at the exhibition's official opening on Thursday (7 May) dressed in his military uniform and blue beret. He relayed the wonder of a strawberry flavoured chocolate offered in his darkest hour. Though Stryzhko's message is joy, the reality is loss."
The Pinchuk Art Centre’s Venice Biennale presentation shifted after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, moving from celebratory youth-focused events to a critical response to the situation. The third post-invasion exhibition, Still Joy - From Ukraine into the World, runs from 9 May to 1 August at the Palazzo Contarini-Polignac overlooking the Grand Canal. It combines works by international artists such as Tacita Dean and Julian Charriere with Ukrainian artists, and includes testimonials from Ukrainian soldiers. Through a veterans foundation led by Svitlana Grytsenko, Hlib Stryzhko, a former marine who survived explosion and captivity, gathered stories from combat survivors. His interviews are presented as printed pink scrolls by Bodhana Kosima, creating a fairytale aesthetic that contrasts with details of limb loss, death, and trauma. Stryzhko spoke at the opening in uniform, describing a moment of strawberry-flavoured chocolate during his darkest hour.
Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events
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