Natalia Zabolotna worked as director of Ukrainian House for the last six and a half years. She was an initiator of a range of large-scale art projects which took place in the Ukrainian House: “Art-Kyiv,” “Grand Sculpture Salon,” “Grand Antique Salon,” and “Fine Art Ukraine.”
Her role has been taken over by Oksana Hrytsenko, the former first deputy general director of Art Arsenal. She was also the head of several projects coordinating the main directions of the establishment’s activity and attracting investments, as well as deputy director for research.
According to Natalia Zabolotna, Art Arsenal is currently working on elaborating a new structure. However, despite the reorganization and construction works which will be initiated soon, the complex will continue to function, stressed the newly-appointed general director. The reorganization and construction of Art Arsenal will be finished in three years.
“In the upcoming year the first floor should be practically finished. This is an area of about 15,000 square meters, which is to be equipped with climate-control, air conditioning, and security systems – there’s still no museum in Ukraine with conditions for keeping artistic works in line with international standards,” stresses Natalia Zabolotna. “We will do without excessive glamour, on the contrary – we will approach the endeavor with a sound asceticism.”
Answering The Day’s question whether the art activities which took place at the Ukrainian House will be continued, Natalia said that the preparation for the second international art-fair “Fine Art Ukraine” will be continued, and that it will represent a wide range of modern fine art – painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, etc. This year, besides private collections, 45 leading Ukrainian and foreign galleries, as well as a number of special projects, will participate in the fair. One will be able to find such pieces as “NU” by Oleksandr Sukholit, “Misto” by Ihor Hubsky, and “Ukrainian Animated Cartoon Films. What Remained” by Davyd Cherkasky. The world famous American-Polish photographer Richard Horowitz will be a special guest of “Fine Art Ukraine,” he will present his own exhibit of photos.
The opening of the biggest project initiated by Ukrainian House, the international art-fair “Art-Kyiv,” is planned for September 8. It will be the seventh time this year. “Art-Kyiv” will be located in two places: in Art Arsenal (where international and domestic galleries, and special projects will be concentrated), and Ukrainian House (which will host collections of the famous French art collector Francois Pinault).
Natalia Zabolotna hopes that nothing will hinder the cooperation between the Ukrainian House and Art Arsenal.
“Surely, Art Arsenal provides more opportunities for representing collections,” says Natalia, pointing out that the art fair “Art-Kyiv” already overshadows Ukrainian House. “We received many offers from both national and foreign museums. I guess soon Art Arsenal will become a kind of a cultural gravitational center whose effects will be felt even beyond Ukrainian borders.”
