Visual Culture Research Center Reopens «The Lost Opportunity»

On Sunday, February 12, we are reopening «The Lost Opportunity» exhibition by Davyd Chychkan in its present condition. The exhibition space, preserved as it is after the pogrom, will serve as a ground for reflection on the situation, in which current artistic expression is now, as well as of our society in general.

The works by Davyd Chychkan are artistic images that found themselves strong in their weakness in front of the pogromists with covered faces. The interpretation of these images requires a complex assessment, a nuanced commentary, a thoughtful critique, and aesthetic sensibility. The reopened exhibition points to its return to the territory of intellectual interaction and reflection, from which it was ousted by the act of barbaric violence. It is thus the only way to discover its real political meaning.

At that, remaining on the positions of open-mindedness and enlightenment, freedom of speech and autonomy of artistic work, we suggest to look critically at the social landscape of post-Maidan and the opportunity of not losing the guidelines that were defined during Maidan. The savagery of pogrom implies the essence of «anti-Maidan»: the social darkness that cannot be allowed to occupy the Ukrainian public space. 

We are reopening the exhibition with a lecture by Ukrainian lawyer and human rights advocate Ksenia Prokonova, taking place on Sunday, February 12, at 16:00. Addressing artists, cultural institutions and human rights activists, the lecture will consider potential legal actions in cases of attacks and destruction of artworks.

Ksenia Prokonova is a lawyer, Head of the Dispute Management Practice.

Focusing on war and the post-Maidan situation in Ukraine, «The Lost Opportunity» exhibition by Davyd Chichkan opened on Thursday, February 2. It poses the questions that have been in the air for more than three years: what was this event, and what it could have become? According to the author, Maidan is a lost opportunity for the Ukrainian society to accomplish a social revolution, which would mean not only to defend dignity, but rather finally gain dignified living conditions. In his series of graphic works, the artist discovers the causes and speaks about the consequences of this loss, one of which is the so-called “decommunization” – a paradoxical phenomenon which shapes the traits of counterrevolution in the context of political ignorance.

We remind that on Tuesday, February 7, at 17:40, 14 people broke into Visual Culture Research Center, inflicted injuries on the security guard, destroyed the exhibition «The Lost Opportunity» by Davyd Chychkan, and stole four artworks.

The exhibition will be open till February 26. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 14:00 to 20:00. Closed on Monday.

Admission is free.

Organized by Visual Culture Research Center

Supported by: ERSTE Stiftung and Charles Stewart Mott Foundation