Dnipropetrovsk. I practiced very long and often to say it correctly and still I stumble over it. Since November last year, when Artsvit Gallery‘s curator, Ms Iryna Polikarchuk, approached me with the idea to visit this beautiful city and share my art and curatorial approach with them, Dnipropetrovsk has been a phrase set on repeat in my head.
Lots of planning and ideas were sent between us, until I finally could board the plane and fly to the Ukraine again, on the invitation of the Artsvit Gallery and the German Consulate in Donesk, who are currently located in Dnipropetrovsk. On the first evening I was joined by a wonderful and inspirational colleagues Ms Sabina Shikilinskaya (Azerbaijan) and Nikita Shalenny (Ukraine) for an introduction on our art and curatorial practice and public discussion afterwards. Additionally the visiting artists each had one evening to give an in-depth presentation about our art. All three events were received by much public interest and a packed audience.
During the days we also had a full program, organized by the gallery. Another main part of my visit was to meet with the German General Consul, Mr Mössinger and representatives of the city and gallery, to finalize details for a public installation of my art planned to be installed in a park in Dnipropetrovsk later this year. I am very exited about these plans, but will share more with you about this, closer to the time.
Following is a selection of impressions from my visit. I hope you enjoy them. (Click on the images to see a larger view and description.)
The gallery
Location scouting and discussion with the German General Consul Mr Mössinger, the city architect Mr Volik, Mr Bazarenko (architect) and representatives from the gallery. Photo by Artsvit Gallery
Location scouting and discussion with the German General Consul Mr Mössinger, the city architect Mr Volik, Mr Bazarenko (architect) and representatives from the gallery
Ancient Baba sculptures in front of the museum. Baba refers to grandmother.
View facing my hotel
View out of my hotel room
View out of my hotel room
The biggest Jewish centre in the world.
Overlooking Dnipropetovsk
Overlooking Dnipropetovsk
Overlooking Dnipropetovsk
Photo by Artsvit Gallery
With Sasha Bondarchuk,Iryna Polikarchuk and Sabina Shikilinskaja.
With Iryna Polikarchuk and Sabina Shikilinskaja. Photo by Artsvit Gallery
Large shopping mall
Beautiful, but derelict old buildings
Close to the German consulate
Streetview
Street dog with tiny houses
Inside the Artsvit gallery
Evening presentations – Photo by Artsvit Gallery
Introducing myself. Photo by Artsvit Gallery
Public discussion on our art practices. Photo by Artsvit Gallery
Listening to my colleagues as part of the audience. Olga Tregubova translated for me. Photo by Artsvit Gallery
Presenting my art and film on Friday night. With Iryna Polikarchuk and the translator, Olga Tregubova.Photo by Artsvit Gallery
View from the audience. Photo by Artsvit Gallery
Press conference at the press centre. Photo by Artsvit Gallery
Visit to the Interpipe Steel factory, which has several commissioned artworks by Olafur Eliasson. This mural is one of them.
Visit to the Interpipe Steel factory, which has several commissioned artworks by Olafur Eliasson.
Visit to the Interpipe Steel factory, which has several commissioned artworks by Olafur Eliasson. The yellow sphere in the background is the up-coming sun, by Olafur Eliasson.
Visit to the Interpipe Steel factory, which has several commissioned artworks by Olafur Eliasson.
loved the colours and graphics of this view.
A board explaining the next artwork.
Inside ‘Your Thinking Bridge’ by Olafur Eliasson.
A selfie with the amazing Iryna Polikarchuk who has initiated and organized this whole event.
And I realise that I have been neglecting this blog a bit, with the last post being almost a month back… my apologies to all of you.
I just came back from my second visit to Kharkiv/Kharkow in the eastern Ukraine. The first time I came here in June, on a research and introductory visit for a project initiated by partners Osteuropa gGmbH. Together with the wonderful Tatyana Tumasyan and her dedicated staff at the Municipal Gallery of Kharkiv we planned and curated an exhibition, to be opened in September. The exhibition’s opening and the German-Ukrainian cooperation marked the start of the German Weeks in the Ukraine.
The exhibition ‘Understanding – Понимание’ featured installations and performances in public spaces. Eight young, but well-known Kharkiv artists were selected by us to present new works for this exhibition. They are Gamlet Zinkovsky, Konstantin Zorkin, Uliana Alimova, Boba Group, Vladislav Krasnoshchok, Oksana Solop, Vitaly Kokhan and Daria Rakova. The Municipal Gallery did an incredible job at preparing the show and I was very happy and grateful to be able to be present at the opening on the 24th of September.
Here are some pictures of the exhibition (please click on the images to see the full view and read my descriptions):
Exhibition Poster This exhibition has been curated by the Charkiv Municipal Gallery in cooperation with Namibian-German artist-curator Imke Rust. Here are some views of the opening tour and artworks. 25 September 2015 about “Understanding” The question of understanding, or rather – the absence of understanding, has become an acute social problem of modern Ukraine. The loss of empathy and real communication in human relations becomes more and more apparent. Therefor the artist’s role as mediator is necessary. Art has to be taken out into the streets more, in order to directly inspire and stimulate a dialog. Otherwise the important messages of the artists might drown in the cacophony of the city. In this project different voices of young Charkiv artists are carefully placed into the multi-layered cityscape to provoke dialog and accentuate specific themes. Art is an exceptional way of communication; it encourages a dialogue not only between the artist and the audience, but also between different people of society. This dialog can also grow beyond the borders of the city and country, as art has the potential to overcome language barriers and facilitate vital understanding between people and nations. If the artists act as the voice of society, then art can become an interpreter of our thoughts and ideas.
Tatyana opening the exhibition
Vitaliy Kokhan’s performance, releasing fish which can usually only be afforded by the rich into the public pond.
Boba Group performance- They set up a small stall on a public square, similar to what political parties do to inform people about their intentions and gain voters. Just that this is called the ‘fishy party’ which hands out freshly grilled sardines to the public for free. Something’s fishy in the politics…
Boba Group performance- They set up a small stall on a public square, similar to what political parties do to inform people about their intentions and gain voters. Just that this is called the ‘fishy party’ which hands out freshly grilled sardines to the public for free. Something’s fishy in the politics…
Dasha Rakova explaining her work, made by different objects owned by different people, and each tells a story that helps to better understand the person
Konstantin Zorkin’s work about understanding
Oksana Solop’s work
Vladyslav Krasnoshchok: old photographs being reworked and printed on large canvases, displayed on old buildings.
Ukrainian art critic and PhD student in Art History, Vincent and me
Touring the artworks. This mural painting is by artist Gamlet Zinkovsky
Gallery staff enjoying a pizza after a successful opeing.
And a short video of the Boba-Group performance:
Besides the exhibition, I was also invited to present a workshop for a group of 12 young curators, who were selected from all over the Ukraine.
Honestly, when I was first asked to do this, I wanted to say NO. Although I have been working as a curator in the National Art Gallery of Namibia, have curated a few independent exhibitions and art projects and have experience in large international bi-lateral projects like the p.art.ners berlin-windhoek ‘Shared Experiences’ Artistic and Cultural Exchange project between Namibia and Germany, I did not feel that I was really qualified to be in this world-class company of other ‘real’ full-time curators. I wondered what I could possibly teach these young curators, which the other presenters would not be able to do better, as they work with the subject every day.
Then I thought, if I am invited for this, there must be something valuable and special which I can add to this workshop. The organisers believed in me and trusted that I am exactly the right person for this. They would not have approached me if it was otherwise. And I realised that yes, I always believed that I have so much to share that would be helpful and inspirational to others, and now I have the chance to do it. We all have a specific combination of superpowers that make us who we are and let us live our life’s purpose. And I have unique experiences, views and ideas that are worth sharing with others (and so have each of you, by the way).
So I chose to share my personal experiences related to the challenges as an artist in Namibia and in the world and the solutions and alternatives that I have found for myself. I shared what worked for me and why, and what did not. Suddenly I realised that even my frustrations and failures had value in guiding me in a perfect way on my journey and by sharing these (and how I have been able to overcome them, or move on from them) I can really help others.
Getting ready for my lecture
Very interesting experience to present a lecture with a synchronised translation in the conference room of the German consulate.
The participants and me after a completed workshop.
From the feedback and the many ‘thank you’s’, which I got, I am deeply honoured and can say with gratitude that my aim to inspire and enrich these young curators was successful. Here are messages I received from two of the participants, which so much warmed my heart:
“Thank you to incredible Imke Rust for the fact that no matter what the circumstances, not taking into account any impossibility, seeking the most noble and most necessary to improve this planet. For her contagious faith in something that everyone is able to change the world for the better. For her projects, for her unique experience and most importantly, for her desire to share this experience.” Владислава Ильинская
Dear Imke, thank you so much for the workshop you did in Kharkiv! It was really inspiring and motivating. You have a very particular charm and energy, that there are no doubts that you can make it rain. 🙂 Thank you a lot and wish you all the best in your projects! Olena Kasperovych/ Kharkiv, Ukraine
(They were both translated from Ukrainian to English via the Google translator.)
Even though I had a positive feeling about the workshop, I cannot tell you how much it means to me to get personal feedback and assurance like this! Because unfortunately, no matter how much I have achieved or how confident I appear to be, I often feel so insecure and am worrying if what I am doing is good enough… (Note to self: give more positive feedback to others when it is merited. Not only will it be appreciated, but very often it helps that person to overcome their insecurities and doubts a little bit more. And I guess we all have some of those.)
While the participants could hopefully take many lessons home, I can say for sure that I did too.
I learned that
it is important to share ones experiences in a way which inspires others.
we need to trust in our unique strengths and talents and use them like superpowers.
We need to stay true to ourselves.
It is a beautiful gift to be able to understand each other (even if that means you need a translator)
Little by little all our actions can and do add up, so make even the smallest one count.
there are so many young, engaged people out there who are ready to change the world.
Even if outer circumstances differ, usually the patterns of the problems we are facing seem to be very similar. After all we are all human and struggle with similar issues.
my name looks like this in Ukrainian letters: Имке Руст
Besides the workshop and exhibition, I also have been interviewed for an hour by the Ukrainian National television, as well as giving two interviews for local magazines, about my art and I presented an open public lecture at the gallery… Working hard and loving it! The TV interview was really surreal and I am very curious to see the show and I will forever wonder how much got lost or changed in translation? But I do believe the essence will always seep through if we share and receive with an open heart.
I am grateful for having had this opportunity, for meeting so many new and special people and artists, for getting to know a new country and culture, for being able to inspire others and be a blessing in their lives, for realising that it is indeed possible for me to travel with hand-baggage only and how empowering it can be to face and overcome my own fears (like being alone in a foreign country of which I do not understand the language).
I realised that I enjoy sharing my ideas and knowledge in order to help, enrich and inspire others, so I hope that life will present me with many more similar opportunities.
My very special thanks goes to Nastia, who is the kindest, hardworking and committed young curator of the Municipal Gallery of Kharkiv, who also has been my very capable Ukrainian voice (translator) most of the time.
And here are some Kharkiv impressions:
Nastia (left) with her sister
The Municipal Gallery
Departure from the Charkiv Airport
I hope you enjoyed this summary and pictures of my trip to the Ukraine.
Looking at the hotel and a stunning rainbow over the Maidan, Kiev
My hotel overlooks the Maidan in Kiev and I had two hours before sunset to find some food and spend time walking around this famous square. It was a national holiday, so the square was filled with people and music. And numerous reminders of the lives lost at the recent Euromaidan uprising which happened here just a few months ago…
So, once again, it was in the middle of the night, that I could start with my intervention to turn the hotel room’s decorative print into an original and unusual art work.
Wow, this was already the 14th intervention! So, let me tell you about this one.
The hotel is prominently located and surely has seen really glamorous times, but that must have been some years ago. It still has the old-world charm and the rooms are fine. The decoration which I found in this room, was a print on cardboard of a painting depicting a boat close to a waterfall.
When I know that I will be staying in the hotel, I try to take a small selection of art supplies on the trip, but since I never know what to expect, I usually have to be inventive and work very spontaneously. And again, I only had limited time to do this, as I only stayed here one night, arriving late and leaving before breakfast. So I decided to try to keep this one simple.
Inspired by the rainbow, which I have seen earlier in the evening, and the golden frame of the deco print, I decided to once again make use of a golden felt pen, just like I did in Charkiv already. It is graphic and dries fast.
Gold seemed perfect. This beautiful old city and hotel, reminded me of glamorous, golden past eras. Yet in this time where there is a war raging in the east of the country and many young people have lost their lives, the future looks uncertain for this country and its people.
I added a square of 9 x 9 golden circles to the centre of the print. The metallic golden circles are almost invisible, when looked at from the front, but they glow beautifully when seen from an angle. I hope that this can remind us, that sometimes our reality looks bleak, but looked at from a different perspective we can find hope and beauty in every situation.
We just need to be open to find the opportunities and gifts of every situation. Just like believing in finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
And this is my wish for the Ukrainian people and in fact, for all of humanity.
The number 9 is an auspicious number. In numerology Number 9 is the number of Universal love, eternity, faith, Universal Spiritual Laws, the concept of karma, spiritual enlightenment and divine wisdom. And it is linked to the colour: gold.
Some have asked before, how I ensure to have the right materials handy. I try to take some useful things along, but am always limited by stuff like baggage allowance and the fact, that I seldom know what to expect. I try to work with what I find and what I have. And to make a plan. Here I had the vision of adding the circles, I had the right pen, but I wanted to make sure they are at an equal distance from each other and the same size.
So in the middle of the night I went down to reception and asked for a punch.
Not an easy task, since they only spoke a pretty basic English and I don’t speak a word of Ukrainian or Russian. And I do not think that many guests are requesting a punch at 11:45 at night. I took a card along, punched a row of holes into it, thanked them, and went back to my room. Now I could get started…
Getting started, with my newly created stencil.
Well here is the final result of this late night hotel deco-busting intervention:
And some more pictures, just click on the images to get a larger and complete view:
Before – this is the printed artwork, before I gave it a face lift.
After – this is the print with my intervention. The golden circles are not very visible when viewed directly from the front.
A close-up view of my intervention
A little note left on the back of the artwork.
Relaxing after the work is finished.
The room and artwork with newly added glamour in the morning.
If you ever visit Kiev, make sure to stay in this room to get an extra special art treatment as a bonus.
Did you like this? You can find more similar interventions HERE.
I wish you a wonderful, hopeful and golden week ahead!
On my recent trip to the Ukraine to prepare an exhibition and workshop I have been staying in Hotel Kharkow (Charkiv) in the centre of town. I am sure this hotel has seen better times, especially the rooms, but still it was a pleasant stay.
The room’s wall decoration (I cannot call it art) was made to match the pillow cases and duvet covers. Or was it the other way around? I do not know. Anyway it was neither particularly pretty nor interesting.
With my hotel deco busting projects I try to add value, to improve on what I find and to add some original touch. I also like to do this in an unobtrusive way and hope that my additions will bring some joy and happiness to those who notice them.
The country and citizens have been through a hard time with the war happening in the eastern Ukraine, only 100km away from Charkiv. Keeping that in mind, I wanted to bring back some of the old glamour which I imagine this hotel and city had. And add a sparkle of happiness.
I found out the Ukrainian spelling of the word Happiness and added these letters to the wall decoration with a gold pen. Looking at the artwork from the front, you almost do not notice the difference, but when you look at it from an angle – for instance as you enter the room – the golden letters glow beautifully.
Please sign up on the right side to receive updates, if you want to be informed about another hotel deco busting works which I have done during this trip.
Please click on the images to see a larger view and read the information about them.
Original wall deco or BEFORE picture
AFTER picture from the front – one almost does not notice my intervention.
Golden Happiness – the letters of the word can be seen best from an angle
A view of the room on departure
If you ever are in Charkiv try and get this room to check out if this is still there and let me know.
I have just returned from a business trip to the Ukraine. As my regular readers know, whenever I happen to stay at a hotel I have a special mission. I upgrade the usual bleak and cheap hotel deco, by turning it into an original piece of art. I use my time and resources to infuse the found hotel deco (I cannot really call it art) with some humour, style and creativity. So the hotel ends up with something better and more valuable.
In Kiew I found a cheap and slightly fading landscape print in my hotel room. It has been printed on canvas and framed in a solid wooden frame. I arrived late at night and had to leave early, so this piece of work was done in the early morning hours.
I like to not plan too much and rather react spontaneously to what I find. Besides this faded print, I found a complimentary sewing set from the hotel. I decided to use that and originally thought of just doing some kind of geometric shape. After a few stitches, an abstract geometric shape did not feel right and suddenly it became a house, with a shed and a dog.
The complimentary sewing set, does not offer a lot of thread, so I had to be very economical and selective with my lines and stitches. Anyway, without further ado, here are the pictures! I hope you enjoy them.
Please sign up on the right side to receive updates, if you want to be informed about another two hotel deco busting works which I have done during this trip.
Please click on the images to see a larger view and read the information about them.
The original piece as I found it (or the BEFORE picture)
Detail of the new additions
Detail of the new additions
The original and upgraded new artwork or the AFTER picture
View of the room before I left.
If you are ever in Kiev try and get this room to check out if this is still there and let me know.
2015 Hotel Deco Busting
Imke Rust 