Save Ukraine’s Art – Iconic ukrainian art reimagined through the eyes of war
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict has caused mass devastation to the Ukrainian nation, its people and its culture. Since the beginning of the war Russian forces have caused considerable damage and in some cases, complete destruction, to at least 240 cultural sites, monuments and museums which house important art collections, alongside the destruction of over 350 cultural objects.
With an idea in mind, we partnered up with the Committee for Ukrainian Museums, Borys Voznytsky Museum, the Ukrainian Ministry of culture and Museum of Contemporary Art in Kyiv and brought to life the Museum of Endangered Art.
Unlike any Ukrainian exhibition before, visitors will discover that the iconic pieces of art have been digitally altered by our team of Art Directors to reflect the ongoing horrors of war and shows scenes which include tanks, fighter jets, explosions and civilians fleeing all digitally imposed onto the original works of art. The virtual exhibition’s goal is to raise urgent funds to protect the rich cultural heritage of Ukraine and save some of Ukraine’s most influential collections for future generations to enjoy.
The Museum of Endangered Art is one small way that we can all help protect Ukrainian culture from the atrocities of war. Art has the power to tell the world things that cannot be shared otherwise, and this is just one small way of us helping. The ongoing cultural destruction has serious ramifications for future generations and also for the identity of Ukrainian and minorities. Helena De La Barre, Managing Director at VCCP Prague
Supporting the virtual gallery, we also hosted an event at the Taras Shevchenko statue in Smíchov, Prague in the Czech Republic to show solidarity with Ukrainian art and its people. Shevchenko was an important historical and political figure from Ukraine and he is considered to be the father of Ukrainian literature. The event saw the public ‘protect’ the Shevchenko statue with sandbags to symbolise how the people of Ukraine had to rush to protect their invaluable art across the country days before the invasion of Russia to help them withstand attack. Special guests included Artist Jiří Černický, an important Czech visual and experimental artist and his Excellency Jevhen Perebyjnis, the Ukrainian Ambassador in the Czech Republic.
The project also aims to raise global awareness of famous Ukrainian art and artists and celebrate Ukrainian identity and history and the free-to-enter virtual gallery includes famous pieces of art in 3D from Ukrainian artists: Halyna Borodai, Odo Dobrowolski, Erno Erb, Ivanyi Grunwald, Mykola Hlushchenko, Leopold Levytskyi, Margit Selska, Roman Selsky and Ivan Trush.
100% of all donations will go directly to the Committee for Ukrainian Museums, an organisation which was founded shortly after the start of the Russian invasion to save Ukrainian art all over the country. To date it has already helped 40 institutions in Ukraine and pledged their support to this new project. Donations will help to restore and save works of art; including safe transport from their museums to safe spaces whilst the war continues, and then repair and restore from the damage they have suffered. All donations will also help rebuild museums that have been damaged to ensure Ukrainian works of art can have a safe home once again.