In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900 - 1930s

An exhibition of Ukrainian Art from the beginning of the 20th century to be shown in the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum (Madrid, Spain), Belvedere (Vienna, Austria), the Royal Academy of Arts (London, the UK).

Past event

2022 - 2024

About the exhibition project

«In the Eye of the Storm. Modernism in Ukraine 1900’s – 1930’s» – the name of the large-scale project that is the comprehensive display of Ukrainian Art from the beginning of the 20th century to be shown in the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum (Madrid, Spain).
The exhibition "In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900–1930s" presents ground-breaking art produced in Ukraine in the first decades of the 20th century, showcasing trends that range from figurative to abstract art. In the most comprehensive survey of Ukrainian modern art to date – with many works on loan from the National Art Museum of Ukraine and the Museum of Theatre, Music and Cinema Arts of Ukraine, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum – the exhibition celebrates the dynamism and diversity of the artistic scene in Ukraine, while safeguarding the country’s heritage during the inadmissible, present-day occupation of parts of its territory by Russia.
The Ukrainian Institute presented an extensive film programme focusing on Ukrainian modernist cinematography. In addition, a comprehensive catalog was published in English. The curatorial group includes Dr. Konstantin Akinsha (USA/Italy), art critic and co-founder of the Foundation for the Study of the Avant-Garde, and Kateryna Denysova, PhD Candidate at the Courtauld Institute of Art.

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Davyd Burliuk
Carousel, 1921
Oil on canvas, 33 x 45.5 cm
National Art Museum of Ukraine

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Wladimir Baranoff-RossinéAdam and EveOil on canvas. 155 x 219.7 cmCarmen Thyssen Collection

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Olexandra ExterStill Life , 1913Collage and oil on canvas. 68 x 53 cmThyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, Madrid

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Volodymyr BurliukUkrainian Peasant Woman, 1910-11Oil on canvas. 132 x 70 cmThyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, Madrid

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Mykhailo BoichukDairy Maid, 1922-1923Tempera on canvas. 95 x 45 cm
National Art Museum of Ukraine

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Oleksandr BohomazovSharpening the Saws, 1927 Oil on canvas. 138 x 155 cm
National Art Museum of Ukraine

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Vadym MellerSketch of the "Masks"Watercolor on cardboard. 60 x 43 cmMuseum of Theatre, Music and Cinema Arts of Ukraine

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El LissitzkyComposition, 1918-1920sOil on canvas.71 x 58 cmNational Art Museum of Ukraine

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Viktor PalmovThe 1st of May, 1929Oil on canvas. 161 x 161 cm
National Art Museum of Ukraine

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Vadym MellerComposition, 1919-20Oil on canvas, 74 x 60 cm
National Art Museum of Ukraine

The development of Ukrainian modernism took place against a complicated socio-political backdrop of collapsing empires, the First World War, the revolutions of 1917 with the ensuing Ukrainian War of Independence (1917–21), and the eventual creation of Soviet Ukraine. The ruthless Stalinist repressions against Ukrainian intelligentsia led to the execution of dozens of writers, theater directors and artists, while the Holodomor, the man-made famine of 1932–33, killed millions of Ukrainians.
Despite these tragic circumstances, Ukrainian art of the period lived through a true renaissance of creative experimentation. "In the Eye of the Storm" reclaims this essential – though little-known in the West – chapter of European modernism, displaying around 70 works in a full range of media, from oil paintings and sketches to collages, and theater designs.
Following a chronological order, the show presents works by masters of Ukrainian modernism, such as Oleksandr Bohomazov, Vasyl Yermilov, Vadym Meller, Viktor Palmov, and Anatol Petrytskyi. Exploring the polyphony of styles and identities, the exhibition includes neo-Byzantine paintings by the followers of Mykhailo Boichuk and experimental works by members of the Kultur Lige, who sought to promote their vision of contemporary Ukrainian and Yiddish art, respectively.
It features pieces by Kazymyr Malevych and El Lissitzky, quintessential artists of the international avant-garde who worked in Ukraine and left a significant imprint on the development of the national art scene. The exhibition also showcases artworks of internationally renowned artists who were born and started their careers in Ukraine but became famous abroad, among them Olexandra Exter, Wladimir Baranoff-Rossiné, and Sonia Delaunay.

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"In the Eye of the Storm" in the Royal Academy of Arts, London

In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900–1930s Now Opens in London’s Royal Academy of Arts.

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Ukrainian exhibition "In the Eye of the Storm. Modernism in Ukraine"

A unique Ukrainian exhibition is on view at the Belvedere Museum in Vienna, Austria, until 2 June 2024.

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In the Eye of the Storm at Belvedere

Don’t miss a chance to see Ukrainian Modernism in Vienna! Belvedere opened In the Eye of the Storm on 23 February.

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About the "In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine" exhibition 

The exhibition "In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900-1930s" presented ground-breaking art created in Ukraine.

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An official opening ceremony of the exhibition and two panels

An official opening ceremony of the exhibition "In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900 - 1930s" and two panels will be organized. 

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Collection of the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum

Thyssen-Bornemisza Madrid's museum houses one of the largest private collections in the world with more than 1,600 paintings.

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Ukrainian art convoy defies bombs to go on display in Madrid

Rare artworks make hazardous journey from Kyiv for major exhibition of Ukrainian avant-garde art.

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The most complete study of Ukrainian modern art

In a couple of weeks, on the 29th of November, Madrid is inviting art connoisseurs for the most complete study of Ukrainian modern art to date.

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The dates of the exhibition were officially announced

During the Paris+ par Art Basel, the best Parisian institutions present an artistic program that is spread across the capital.

List of artists in the exhibition

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Wladimir Baranoff-Rossiné

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Oleksandr Bohomazov

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Mykhailo Boichuk

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Tymofii Boichuk

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Davyd Burliuk

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Volodymyr Burliuk

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Sonia Delaunay

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Marko Epshtein

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 Olexandra Exter

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Kyrylo Hvozdyk

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Mykola Kasperovych

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Oleksandr Khvostenko-Khvostov

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Borys Kosarev

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El Lissitzky

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Kazymyr Malevyc

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Vadym Meller

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Ivan Padalka

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Viktor Palmov

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Anatol Petrytskyi

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Issakhar Ber Ryback

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Vasyl Sedliar

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Manuil Shekhtman

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Oleksandr Syrotenko

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Kostiantyn Yeleva

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Vasyl Yermilov

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Semen Yoffe

Official opening ceremony

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On Monday, 28th of November, an official opening ceremony of the exhibition In the Eye of the Storm and two panels were organized in the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid. 
The exhibition is happening under the high patronage of the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Spanish Ministry of Culture. The exhibition became possible thanks to join forces of Ukrainian museums, persistent work of curators: Konstantin Akinsha, Kateryna Denysova and Olena Koshuba-Volvach.
“In the eye of the Storm: Ukrainian modernism 1900-1930” is now open to thousands of Europeans thanks to strong support from Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza, “Museums for Ukraine” and other organizations and collectors. Moreover Thames & Hudson publishing house has issued the book dedicated to the exhibition soon to be accessible all round the world.
The panel “In the Eye of the Storm” covered the history of Ukrainian art during the first decades of the 20th century. The participants of the talk included the exhibition curators Konstantin Akinsha, and Olena Kashuba-Volvach, as well as Iryna Drobot, Director of the Museum of Theatre, Music and Cinema of Ukraine and Guillermo Solana, Artistic Director of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The panel was moderated by Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Participants of the “Culture in Times of War – European Solidarity with Ukraine” panel included Pina Picierno, Vice President of the European Parliament, Diego Mellado, Head of Communication and Public Policy, EEAAS, Catherine Magnant, Head of Unit for Cultural Policy, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Commission, Yana Barinova, former Head of Cultural Affairs of Kyiv, now Head of European Policies and Ukraine, Erste Stiftung and Alexander Shevchenko, founder of ReStart Ukraine. This panel was moderated by Isabelle Schwarz, Head of Public Policy, European Cultural Foundation. The panel opened up the importance of culture in the European response and reaction.
© Photos courtesy of Gorbun Roma

The catalogue of the exhibition

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The catalogue that accompanies the exhibition "In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900-1930s" has been presented at the opening ceremony in Madrid.
The book has been issued by the printing house Thames&Hudson and it traces Ukrainian artistic developments between 1900 and the 1930s in three key cultural centres (Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Odesa) against a complicated socio-political backdrop of collapsing empires, WWI, the Revolution of 1917, and the establishment of Soviet Ukraine.

The main contributors are the curators of the exhibition itself: Konstantin Akinsha, an art historian and curator; Katia Denysova, PhD candidate at the Courtauld Institute of Art (London); and Olena Kashuba-Volvach, the Head of the Department of 19th and early 20th-century art at the NAMU.

Exploring the distinctive voice of Ukrainian artists in the early 20th century, this is a relevant and important publication that reveals Ukraine’s considerable contribution to modern art. The book covers avant-garde art and Ukrainian artists behind it, the complex geopolitical structures and identities of the times. The publication features works in various media: from traditional oil paintings and drawings to collages, graphic and theatre designs, as well as cinema.

Partners: Museums for Ukraine, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museo Nacional, National Art Museum of Ukraine, Museum Ludwig, Christie’s, Natalia Cola Foundation, James Butterwick Ukrainian and European Arts.

The presentation of the project

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On June 15, The Fondation Beyeler (Basel, Switzerland) hosted a presentation of the Ukrainian project “In the Eye of the Storm. Modernism in Ukraine 1900-1930s”, which was scheduled for autumn 2022 at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, Spain.
The project’s team strives to establish the identity of Ukrainian modernism, which has long been overshadowed by Russian art trends. It will become an in-depth study of twentieth-century Ukrainian art, exhibited at international art institutions.
The exhibition will feature unique artworks from leading Ukrainian museums, public and private collections from Western Europe (the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria). “In the Eye of the Storm. Modernism in Ukraine 1900-1930s” is created in collaboration with the National Art Museum of Ukraine and other Ukrainian institutions.
The partners of the presentation were The Fondation Beyeler, The Natalia Cola Foundation, Ukrainian Institute, Artcult Foundation, Artelia consultancy (headed by Liliya Tippets) and the Ukrainian project “Strong & Precious” (headed by Olga Oleksenko).
The joint organizers of the presentation were the charity foundation “Art for Victory UA”, M17 Contemporary Art Center in Kyiv and Natalia Shpytkovska Art Advisory.

The main participants of the presentation

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Sam Keller

Director of the Fondation Beyeler Sam Keller stated the importance of the project and manifested an interest in the history of Ukrainian modernism, which highly deserves more attention and researchby international institutions.

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Curators

Curators Katia Denysova and Kostiantyn Akinsha determined an aim to explore the multifaceted personalities of artists historically known as the representatives of the Russian Avant-Garde and recognize their belonging to the Ukrainian art scene and community.

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Natalia Shpytkovska

Natalia Shpytkovska defined the fundamental aim of the modern Ukrainian and international art communities by saying: “The time has come to discover, distinguish and learn more about the culture for which Ukrainian people are now fighting and dying for.”

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Guillermo Solana

Guillermo Solana, Artistic Director at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum (Madrid), emphasized the significance of examining and re-evaluating Ukrainian art in general, and modernism in particular, as well as the importance of the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum to stay in solidarity with Ukraine, and at the “epicenter” of an important event in the art space.

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Tetyana Filevska

Creative director at the Ukrainian institute Tetyana Filevska said that Ukraine is now at the avant-garde of geopolitical crisis, fighting for the values of freedom and dignity, for a future that is threatened by Russian aggression against the world.

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James Butterwick

British collector and expert in the field of the Ukrainian modernist tradition James Butterwick made a presentation to draw attention to the role of the Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Bohomazov in the global context.

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Natalia Cola

Philanthropist and project partner Natalia Cola said: “The recognition of Ukraine’s contribution to modernism is a cause close to the foundation’s heart [The Natalia Cola Foundation]. Being a lifelong passionate supporter of the arts, we find it a great honour to play a small part in facilitating this exhibition and discourse.”

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Andriy Adamovskiy

Ukrainian philanthropist and collector Andriy Adamovskiy stated: “This project is deeply symbolic, because the homeland of the avant-garde is Ukraine, and nowadays the support of Ukrainian art is of utmost importance.”

Institutional partners

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Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum

Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum is an art museum in Madrid, Spain, with over 1,600 paintings. The museum's collection includes many artworks by leading artists of European and North American modernism. The museum presents art series by famous Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo painters, West artists from the 18th and 19th centuries.

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National Art Museum of Ukraine

National Art Museum of Ukraine is a state cultural institution with a leading collection of Ukrainian art from the Middle Ages to the present. The main aspects of the museum's activities are the collection, study, preservation, exhibition and provision of educational services in the art field.

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The Fondation Beyeler

The Fondation Beyeler oversees the art collection of Hildy and Ernst Beyeler, which features modern and tribal art as well as comprehensive holdings of works from 19th - 21st centuries.

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Ukrainian Institute

Ukrainian Institute is a public institution affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Its mission is to strengthen Ukraine's international standing through the means of cultural diplomacy. The Institute facilitates international connections between people and institutions and creates opportunities for Ukraine to interact and cooperate with the world.

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M17 Contemporary Art Center

M17 Contemporary Art Center is a cultural institution that functions as an educational and research platform and exhibition venue for Ukrainian and foreign contemporary art. The activities of the Center are aimed at creating a dialogue between professional circles and all agents of the culture sector. M17 supports art experiments, collaborations and international exchanges for experts and artists from various art fields to integrate Ukrainian art into a world context.

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The Natalia Cola Foundation

The Natalia Cola Foundation, established by philanthropist and arts patron Natalia Cola, was founded in 2019 to support institutions that value tradition, while championing new artists; ways of thinking and encouraging open discourse. It currently partners with The Serpentine Gallery and The Royal Academy.

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"Strong & Precious"

"Strong & Precious" is a Ukrainian art project presenting Ukraine as a country with strong creative potential. The main idea behind "Strong & Precious" is to consolidate the wide range of Ukrainian jewellery designers for popularizing Ukrainian art traditions and presenting them on the international scene.

About Modernism

Modernism is both a philosophical and arts movement that arose from broad transformations in Ukrainian society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The movement reflected a desire for the creation of new forms of art, philosophy, and social organization which reflected the newly emerging industrial world, including features such as urbanization, architecture, new technologies, and war. Artists attempted to depart from traditional forms of art, which they considered outdated or obsolete.

Modernist innovations included abstract art, the stream-of-consciousness novel, montage cinema, atonal and twelve-tone music, and divisionist painting. Modernism explicitly rejected the ideology of realism and made use of the works of the past by the employment of reprise, incorporation, rewriting, recapitulation, revision and parody.

Modernism also rejected the certainty of Enlightenment thinking, and many modernists also rejected religious belief. A notable characteristic of modernism is self-consciousness concerning artistic and social traditions, which often led to experimentation with form, along with the use of techniques that drew attention to the processes and materials used in creating works of art.

Speakers of the presentation

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