The second All-Ukraine Youth Pottery Symposium “Chyhyryn ‘04” is now summing up the results. Although it was held on the grounds of the Chyhyryn Historical-Cultural Preserve from June 24 to July 17, the definitive display, featuring the best ceramic pieces, opened at the National Craftsmen’s Union (27-A Reitarska St., Kyiv) only last week, where it will continue until October 15. According to Ukrainian art critic Hryhoriy Mishchenko, “There is actually nothing new under the sun. In order to modernize a form, one must simply refer to tradition.” For Ukrainians, this tradition stems from the Trypillian culture. Proceeding from this, modulation works miracles — it is as though we are seeing a totally new creation. Although the time when every wicker fence in every Ukrainian village displayed a staggering collection of jugs of all sizes is long past, and today fences are hung with three-liter glass jars, there is no doubt that every courtyard has a touch of history, some rarity. Today, toys are playing an increasingly important role in pottery, as may be seen in pieces made by Yuri Nechai (Kremenchuk). Ukraine’s heroic past fascinates this potter, who mostly concentrates on sculpted pieces. In his hands miniature horses and oxen seem to come alive, growing bellies, as in his “Cossack astride a Horse,” while his jugs and bowls pulsate with life. The traditional ceramic toys of Angela Kizian (Uman) take the shape of whistles, toys, and birds decorated in the traditional, unmistakable designs of Cherkasy. After summing up the results, however, the jury awarded the first prize to Yevhen Bakusevych and Leonid Nahirniak, both of whom are practitioners of the all but forgotten black flake ceramic technique. Incidentally, it is commonly believed that this type of kitchenware enhances the taste of food, and is better for one’s health than lead-based enamelware. The symposium’s educational aspects have already borne fruit. Acknowledged master potters, among them Yakiv Briukhovetsky and Oleksandr Vilchynsky, are thrilled with their younger colleagues’ skill. They predict that soon this younger generation of potters will be able to achieve victories internationally, once the project is operating on a broader scale. Meanwhile, plans are underway to hold another symposium involving masters from both the older and younger generations, as all their works serve to create a single Ukrainian concept. Should one be surprised that the president of Ukraine recently signed an edict “On Measures to Create the Bohdan Khmelnytsky Residence Historical-Architectural Complex in Chyhyryn”? Perhaps not, because this project will provide ample room for the creative endeavors of many specialists and last but not least, masters of this traditional folk art.
