Conflict Reaches Kyiv's Doorstep: Waging War at Home
The Kyiv '24 Perennial, the second edition of the Kyiv Biennale, is spreading its artistic influence across multiple cities within the EU. One of the key locations for this event is Berlin, where Wolfgang Tillmans' space, Between Bridges, is hosting a series of thought-provoking exhibitions.
At Between Bridges, Adalbertstr. 43, Mitte, visitors can witness a powerful and poignant artwork titled 'The Battle Over Mazepa'. Created by Mykola Ridnyi, the same artist behind 'to watch a war', this work is presented in a style reminiscent of a rap battle. The artwork demonstrates the manipulation of historical figures for political ends, yet it is saved by the confident charm of its performers and its tight camerawork.
'The Battle Over Mazepa' is not the only piece that touches upon the theme of war. 'to watch a war', a 30-minute anonymous compilation of found footage, is shown in the basement of Between Bridges. This piece takes viewers on a tour through houses filled with soldiers, graves on stony soil, rubble, and callously killed civilians. A just-married couple, where the husband is a soldier, are depicted kissing and embracing amidst artillery gunfire, adding a layer of raw emotion to the piece.
The accompanying video of 'The Battle Over Mazepa' may be a bit cringe, but it doesn't detract from the overall impact of the artwork. The brilliantly green, fertile lands of Ukraine are never far from view, serving as a stark contrast to the chaos and destruction depicted in the artwork.
Meanwhile, at nGbK, another location for the Kyiv '24 Perennial, Mykola Ridnyi's 'The Battle Over Mazepa' is also on display. This work was adapted from poems by Byron and Pushkin, and it continues to provoke thought and conversation about the manipulation of history for political gain.
The Kyiv '24 Perennial is a testament to the power of art to challenge, provoke, and inspire. Whether you find yourself in Berlin or another city within the EU, be sure to seek out this thought-provoking exhibition.
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