Art
Ukrainian artist turns abandoned Russian tank into resistance art – CBC.ca
It’s not easy making art in an occupied city, says Max Kilderov.
The painter and street artist lives in Nova Kakhovka, a southern Ukrainian city that’s been under Russian occupation since the start of the war.
Russian soldiers are stationed everywhere, he said, and residents must abide by a strict curfew. Very little is coming in and out of the city, and art supplies are hard to come by. He’s already used up all the canvasses he had on hand before the invading troops rolled in earlier this month.
So when he came across an abandoned and burnt-out Russian tank, inspiration struck.
“It’s very hard to make art in an occupied city when you don’t have canvasses,” Kilderov told As It Happens guest host Gillian Findlay. “In [a] city where you can’t get canvas, burned tanks [are the] best canvas.”
Staying occupied under occupation
With the help of some other residents, Kilderov turned the broken symbol of occupation into a work of art, spray painting it with the swirling white pattern that is one of his signature looks.
He says it was partly an act of resistance — transforming something ugly into something beautiful — and partly a way of staving off the monotony of occupation.
“All my life before the war was just painting,” he said. “After the war starts, I keep creating and making some good things [for] the people because people [are] really going crazy in the city because of [the] humanitarian catastrophe.”
Kilderov says his hometown has been occupied since Day 1 of the Russian invasion. And unlike many other Ukrainian cities, there are no Ukrainian troops on the ground.
But there are plenty of Russian soldiers.
“They come into our shops sometimes to buy beer and cigarettes or something, but we don’t have any interaction,” he said.
“I don’t try to talk to them, but I hear from my friends some stories when they come to the Russian soldiers and say, ‘Guys, go home. That’s not your war. You didn’t see … any Nazis, any fascists. And your mothers are waiting for your return.’ And the Russian soldiers don’t answer anything.”
Still, Ukrainians are resisting however they can, he said. Some have banded together to ensure that the most vulnerable among them get access to what limited supplies are available.
And earlier this month, thousands of people in Nova Kakhovka and other occupied cities took to the streets in protest, coming under fire by Russian troops.
“That was really powerful. That was [a] really inspirational protest,” Kilderov said.
He says things have calmed down since those early days and he hasn’t seen much conflict between residents and Russian soldiers recently.
He says he was a little scared to work on the tank for fear of reprisal by Russian troops, but at the end of the day, he’s an artist, and he must make art.
“That’s my way to communicate. That’s my way to show what’s inside me,” he said.
“I’m not provoking Russians, because I understand I’m [under] occupation. I need to minimize risks. I don’t make Molotov [cocktails] or something, and I don’t do any illegal things, you know, not including [the] tank. And by the way, is this illegal? That’s just a burned tank. Come on.”
Written by Sheena Goodyear. Interview produced by Chris Harbord.
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
Source link
The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
Alouettes receiver Philpot announces he’ll be out for the rest of season
David Lipsky shoots 65 to take 1st-round lead at Silverado in FedEx Cup Fall opener
Canada’s Marina Stakusic advances to quarterfinals at Guadalajara Open
12 Bizarre Things People Did Just To Make Social Media Content
dynaCERT Inc. Invites You to Join Us at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference | INN – Investing News Network
AP source: Bears acquiring quarterback Nick Foles from Jaguars – Sportsnet.ca
-
News7 hours agoB.C. to scrap consumer carbon tax if federal government drops legal requirement: Eby
-
News7 hours agoA linebacker at West Virginia State is fatally shot on the eve of a game against his old school
-
Sports8 hours agoLawyer says Chinese doping case handled ‘reasonably’ but calls WADA’s lack of action “curious”
-
News18 hours agoReggie Bush was at his LA-area home when 3 male suspects attempted to break in
-
Sports2 hours agoCanada’s Marina Stakusic advances to quarterfinals at Guadalajara Open
-
News7 hours agoHall of Famer Joe Schmidt, who helped Detroit Lions win 2 NFL titles, dies at 92
-
News9 hours agoRCMP say 3 dead, suspects at large in targeted attack at home in Lloydminster, Sask.
-
News8 hours agoBad weather and boat modifications led to capsizing off Haida Gwaii, TSB says
