The Museum of Endangered Art
Client
Capabilities
Date
15/06/2022
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.
As the conflict rages on, artists, curators and the creative community have joined forces to protect the country’s most valuable art and Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Spearheaded by advertising agency, VCCP Prague, and created in partnership with the Committee for Ukrainian Museums, Borys Voznytsky Museum, the Ukrainian Ministry of culture and Museum of Contemporary Art in Kyiv, the ‘Museum of Endangered Art’ is a virtual exhibition which launches today 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.
Unlike any Ukrainian exhibition before, visitors will discover that the iconic pieces of art have been digitally altered 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. Marek Farkaš, Head of Art at VCCP Prague and his team digitally updated the artworks, whilst working alongside curators from the Museum of Contemporary Art in Kyiv, Borys Voznytsky Museum and the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture to gain permission to alter the original pieces of art. Guests to the virtual gallery can click on a painting, view how it’s been altered and financially support the rescue of other Ukrainian works.
Helena De La Barre, Managing Director at VCCP Prague added: “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. We’d be honoured if you’re able to donate what you can to this project. ”
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.
Dorota Nowak from the Committee for Ukrainian Museums, comments: "Art and history is the lifeblood of every nation, and it’s essential that the great works of Ukraine are preserved from this war. We’ve received an outpouring of support from around the world so far, but this virtual gallery allows our important message and plea for help to go even further. We are dedicated to the safeguarding of Ukrainian art and culture and your support will allow us to continue to transport the material needed for the protection and conservation of the art itself, as well as digitalise further works to raise more awareness for this important cause.”
Jevhen Perebyinis, Ukrainian Ambassador, Czech Republic:"It’s important for people from other parts of the world to feel what the Ukrainians feel. The Russian invasion threatens not only civilians and houses, but Ukrainian’s culture and its very essence. More than 240 cultural institutions have been destroyed over the past 3 months, destroying our history, our statues, our museums and our cultural heritage. We continue to fight Putin’s cultural genocide and show that Ukraine exists and always will."
Supporting the virtual gallery, VCCP 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.
In the Czech Republic the project has been supported by Aktuálně.cz (Economia) who have provided media space for a digital campaign and VCCP Prague are looking for media partners in other parts of the world to help spread the word and aid the fundraising efforts.
Art has the power to tell the world things that cannot be shared otherwise, and this is just one small way of us helping. Helena De La Barre, Managing Director at VCCP Prague
