Baden-Baden, a small cozy town in Germany – to which the imperial nobility used to travel by tradition to visit spas and show fiancees; where Fyodor Dostoevsky, a classic of creative impulses, sat at the gambling table and the desk for hours in sadness and joy, – not only remains a fashionable resort for nouveaux riches but is also a center of contemporary art festivals. This year, thanks to the personal enthusiasm of Yurii Krulykovskyi, director general of the Art Support Fund, Ukraine was represented there for the first time. Unfortunately, the times, when a small but comfortable hall on Frolivska St. gathered lovers of contemporary art, such as painting, photography, performances, mini-stage productions, and hosted literary and musical soirees, have sunk into oblivion. But Krulykovskyi, a culture aficionado, did not lose heart when the “powers that be” lost interest in the Fund – he not only preserved it, but also continued the noble mission, persistently blazing the trail for contemporary artists to reach spectators. Taking us from the M17 to the Camera gallery, he tirelessly showed artworks by new and well-known masters.
Owing to a persistent search for new ways to attract new audiences, this year has borne remarkable fruit – Ukraine took part in the Baden-Baden biennale. Our country has not only aroused the interest of specialists and aficionados, but also received an invitation for further cooperation.
The exposition displays artworks by Oleksandr Shymbarovskyi, Vadym Shamanov, Ihor Haidai, Oleh Pinchuk, Radym Seidimov, and Temuri Papiashvili. They represented this country so brilliantly and convincingly that Ukraine is now considered a full-fledged competitive participant in the present-day cultural process.
“As a curator and the idea’s author, I am happy that the young Contemporary Art Baden-Baden Festival is winning confidently its niche in the new art,” Krulykovskyi says. “It is very important and promising that our exposition managed to interest not only experts, but also ordinary (but in no way simple) spectators. The proof of this is a very positive ‘commercial result’ of this project.
“And, for Ukrainian audiences to be able to see, appreciate, and be glad for our masters’ sake, we have invited everybody to visit the post-event exhibit at the Camera gallery.”
