Exhibition "Catharsis" is a combination of works by the Galician sculptor of the IIIV century Johann-Georgy Pinzel, his pupil Franciszek Olędzki and the works of contemporary Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Zhyvotkov.
These are the works that being separated by centuries, are connected through deep emotionality of the content.How can interaction with art help us go through something and survive? This issue is under consideration in a special exhibition project of the Bouquet Kyiv Stage festival and Stedley Art Foundation People have always been aware of the danger associated with living in "a time of change". However, in the 21st century this ancient Chinese curse has probably lost its relevance, as we have grown accustomed to perpetual change. Today we live in a time of uncertainty and doubt, it has become both our trial and a curse.
As we face the uncertainty of our time, we grow more disillusioned and crave stability. The future is uncertain, even more uncertainty is associated with the past, and as a result human relations break down and the identity crisis sets in.
It seems, the answers to such fundamental Biblical questions like "Where are You going?" and the questions posed by the modernist philosophers like "Where do we come from?", "Who are we?" and "Where are we going?" are lost forever. Doubt sets in the process of formulating such questions.
Such existential extremes help appreciate art. The works of art establish temporal continuity and help view through the prism of human culture the ever changing value systems.
Catharsis is a term first used by Aristotle to describe the effect of art which is capable of purifying the emotions and restoring a person to emotional health. Now catharsis usually refers to intellectual purification and spiritual purgation through art.
Art has helped the Greeks to conquer the fear of death, so perhaps it could help the people living in the new "culture of uncertainty" to meet their challenges. Besides, the human culture has produced wonderful works of art, music, literature, theatre drama, and cinematography, all of which have been used by generations of people to provoke catharsis. These emotions are deeply personal, however very few people are left unmoved by such composers like Bach, films directors like Andrey Tarkovsky and Ingmar Bergman, and painters like Caravaggio and Rembrandt.
This exhibition features the late Baroque sculptures by Johann Georg Pinsel, an artist active in the late 18th century, and his apprentice Franciszek Ołędzki along with the works by Alexander Zhyvotkov, a modern Ukrainian artist.
Their artwork is divided by time but united by the art medium, namely the vivid wood sculpture. The artists' deeply expressive sculpture is cathartic in nature.
A true work of art leaves some things unsaid and lets the spectator just enough freedom and space to make up his own mind. Catharsis is possible on the verge between the artist's creative concept and the spectator's emotional response. Catharsis cannot always be reached through works of art and eternal life questions do not always have answers. But Zhyvotkov leaves us hints. One of his monumental bas-relief sculptures featured at the exhibition is covered with quotes from the Book of Ecclesiastes. The modern artist is quoting the ancient texts: "One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever." The Ecclesiastes has described the eternal and universal circle of human life. The wisdom is to enjoy life but remember that all is vanity.The works of these authors are separated by centuries, but so close in spirit. Because the desire of the soul has no limits in time and space - we all want to be together and be happy with simple things. Here and now.Curator - Tatiana Voloshina.
*The exhibition was a harbinger of the Bouquet Kyiv Stage 2021 festival, and when the festival ended, it continued its work in the "Catharsis" project, which included classical music concerts, art lectures and discussion meetings.