As part of the РАС-UA 2 PinchukArtCentre presents a solo exhibition by Arsen Savadov. The show entitled “Blow-Up” will be open to public on the 5^th floor of the art centre from  21 May to 26 June, 2011.

The new installation by Savadov specially produced for the PAC-UA 2 refers with its title to the “Blow Up” film (1966) by Michelangelo Antonioni. Savadov’s universe at the PinchukArtCentre is a collage of photographs he took in earlier years, including “Book of the Dead”, new created paintings with as central theme sexuality and the continuous endeavour of discovering a sense of artistic freedom.

The project encompasses ten selected photos from Savadov’s famous series, such as “Angels”, “Book of the Dead”, “Karaim's cemetery”, “Inessant “, “Donbass-Chokolate”, “Collective Red”, “Kokto”, “Marxism de Sad” and “Underground”, in a new interpretation. Additionally, for this exhibition the artist has created two new paintings.

Two strange sculptural objects, a see star, supporting the roof from tumbling in and a lamb entailing a long iconographical history, are made from purple paper, reminding a short scene of the film “Blow Up”. The paper holds Savadov’s collage together both literally and symbolically, referring to a deep desire of freedom through sexuality and dissident behaviour.

Arsen Savadov: “I see the characters in my work as part of an Odyssey, where all projects are connected not by abstract art, but by the idea of humanity. This is anthropology. This is Lévi-Strauss. My characters are passing from one project to another – this is similar to Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita, where Marcello Mastroianni, the main character, can’t find himself in this life.”

PAC-UA offers a window for new produced works of Ukrainian artists with a view to research ongoing artistic processes within the country and support strong and long-term collaboration between the PinchukArtCentre and Ukrainian artists. With its PAC-UA project, PinchukArtCentre presents a new special dynamic and flexible program line for Ukrainian artists that will be showcased in a dedicated space on the 5th floor for a period of one month.

Arsen Savadov’s solo exhibition is open from 21 May to 26 June. Open hours: 12:00 to 21:00 from Tuesday through Sunday. Monday is off. Admission is free.

Arsen Savadov was born in 1962, Kyiv, Ukraine. He currently lives and works in Kyiv and New York. Graduated from Kyiv State Institute of Art in 1986. His works were presented within the First Ukrainian Project, La 49 Biennale di Venezia (2001); Sotheby's, Modern and Contemporary Russian Art, London and New York (2009); New Ukrainian painting, WHITE BOX, New York (2008) and others.

PinchukArtCentre is the largest and most dynamic private contemporary art centre in Central and Eastern Europe. It is dedicated to fostering artistic education, creation and appreciation in Ukraine. The PinchukArtCentre is a leading international centre for contemporary 21st-century art. It provides a sustainable contribution to the cultural participation and emancipation of Ukrainian art and society. And it gives a significant contribution to the cultural dialogue between East and West, and between national identity and international challenge.

PinchukArtCentre
1/3-2, "А" Block,
Velyka Vasylkivska / Baseyna vul.,
Kyiv , Ukraine 01004
tel.: +38 (044) 590/08/58
e-mail: [email protected]

The Victor Pinchuk Foundation is an international, private and non-partisan philanthropic foundation based in Ukraine. It was established in 2006 by businessman and public figure Victor Pinchuk. Its goal is to empower future generations to become the change-makers of tomorrow.

www.pinchukfund.org 

Press Inquiries:
E-mail: [email protected]
+380 44 494 11 48