Dark Paradise
2021
2021
THE AUTHOR AND CURATOR OF THE PROJECT IS THE ARTIST ZINAIDA CO-CURATOR,
ARCHITECT OF THE ONLINE EXHIBITION WALDEMART KLYUZKO
ARCHITECT OF THE ONLINE EXHIBITION WALDEMART KLYUZKO
The concept of the Dark Paradise project is based on the manifestations of life in Chornobylzone after 35 years of devastation and destruction. After all, the abandoned lands have revived and carry their own unique code.
Viewers will feel the energy of life of Chornobyl region of the past and present, bypassing the bitter page of the tragedy. Chornobyl is an amazing place, where nature is innocently rampant, and people, who have returned to their homes, preserve the traditions of everyday life of this region. Our Atlantis — Chornobyl Polissia has been preserved by the supportive work of the participants of the historical and ethnographic expedition in the radioactively contaminated territory. As the result of 30 years of work, a huge museum and archival collections have been formed, among them there are no small things, every detail of this cultural environment is important.
The collected artifacts, information and personal interviews with the residents of Chornobyl region were transformed into a source of inspiration for artists, and Chornobyl became a kind of Mecca for artists.
The exhibition consists of 12 parts, which include archival documents, video/audio materials, photographs, video installations, paintings and objects of decorative and applied arts — all works and objects related to the history of the special life of the region.
The Flower of Dark Paradise, which depicts daffodils blooming next to abandoned houses in Chornobyl zone, embodies the idea of the concept and has become the symbol of the exhibition. Flowers can be seen near the collapsing houses, through the destroyed ones nearby — bright flowers, fresh as the breath of life, as a message and reminder to all, who will come, about the victory of nature, life. This is a picturesque work of project participant Ihor Rudenia, a hermit artist, who created his own little world in an abandoned village of the affected territory.
Viewers will feel the energy of life of Chornobyl region of the past and present, bypassing the bitter page of the tragedy. Chornobyl is an amazing place, where nature is innocently rampant, and people, who have returned to their homes, preserve the traditions of everyday life of this region. Our Atlantis — Chornobyl Polissia has been preserved by the supportive work of the participants of the historical and ethnographic expedition in the radioactively contaminated territory. As the result of 30 years of work, a huge museum and archival collections have been formed, among them there are no small things, every detail of this cultural environment is important.
The collected artifacts, information and personal interviews with the residents of Chornobyl region were transformed into a source of inspiration for artists, and Chornobyl became a kind of Mecca for artists.
The exhibition consists of 12 parts, which include archival documents, video/audio materials, photographs, video installations, paintings and objects of decorative and applied arts — all works and objects related to the history of the special life of the region.
The Flower of Dark Paradise, which depicts daffodils blooming next to abandoned houses in Chornobyl zone, embodies the idea of the concept and has become the symbol of the exhibition. Flowers can be seen near the collapsing houses, through the destroyed ones nearby — bright flowers, fresh as the breath of life, as a message and reminder to all, who will come, about the victory of nature, life. This is a picturesque work of project participant Ihor Rudenia, a hermit artist, who created his own little world in an abandoned village of the affected territory.
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Polissia covers a fifth of the territory of Ukraine — north of Kyiv, between Uzh, Prypiat and Dnipro rivers, stretching all the way to Belarus — these lands have long been famous for their picturesque nature, river fish fishing and a variety of animal and bird populations. Impenetrable swamps and meadows of Polissia saved their inhabitants from enemies and invaders — the region flourished for thousands of years, enriching every inhabitant of this paradise corner of the Earth with gifts of nature. But, in 1986, a ruthless and hitherto unknown enemy covered most of the Land with a radioactive cloud — a demon escaped from the reactor of Chornobyl nuclear power plant, ruthlessly taking the lives, dreams and homes of residents of Prypiat. Sadness, emptiness and loneliness settled in the cities and villages of Polissia. However, animals and plants did not bow down to the enemy — step by step they continued to fight for their own and human lives. Trouble doesn't come alone. Another dangerous enemy is the bureaucrats and their hatred of everything human and sincere: negligence, prohibitions, corruption and fires destroy villages, forests and fields, the population of wild animals, the cultural heritage of the region, and its soul — squatters. The land does not belong to people — people belong to the land.
The paradise, covered by the darkness of human nihilism, exists — there is life here, and one day, a frightened animal seeking shelter from the weather will enter a leaning hut with peeling walls and broken windows, where vegetation has already sprouted from the floor. Its gaze will rest on the yellowed black-and-white photo: "When will you be back? We are waiting for you, people!".
The paradise, covered by the darkness of human nihilism, exists — there is life here, and one day, a frightened animal seeking shelter from the weather will enter a leaning hut with peeling walls and broken windows, where vegetation has already sprouted from the floor. Its gaze will rest on the yellowed black-and-white photo: "When will you be back? We are waiting for you, people!".
ZINAIDA. Iconostases
Installation. Rushnyks, light box. 2021
The family altar of unity with the heavenly world is an icon corner with images of holy patrons, framed with floral embroidered or ornamental woven rushnyks for the icons, fragrant potions, flowers and it is a traditional element that protected house and family.
When people were leaving their homes due to forced relocation, at least one icon was left to protect the house. There is the corner is in every abandoned house in the Chornobyl zone.
Rushnyk is a traditional decoration of the home, perhaps because it is embroidered with the flowers, the most beautiful things that the human eye enjoys in the world.
Zinaida's installation represents the icon of light instead of painted icons as an invitation to the paradise and the light of life as well as picturesque, simple, natural flowers from ZINAIDA and Igor Rudenya's art works are used on the rushnyk instead of traditional embroidery.
The family altar of unity with the heavenly world is an icon corner with images of holy patrons, framed with floral embroidered or ornamental woven rushnyks for the icons, fragrant potions, flowers and it is a traditional element that protected house and family.
When people were leaving their homes due to forced relocation, at least one icon was left to protect the house. There is the corner is in every abandoned house in the Chornobyl zone.
Rushnyk is a traditional decoration of the home, perhaps because it is embroidered with the flowers, the most beautiful things that the human eye enjoys in the world.
Zinaida's installation represents the icon of light instead of painted icons as an invitation to the paradise and the light of life as well as picturesque, simple, natural flowers from ZINAIDA and Igor Rudenya's art works are used on the rushnyk instead of traditional embroidery.
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