Art Installation
In Dnipro, located 95 kilometers from the front line, an art installation titled "Red River" was inaugurated, featuring approximately 250 meters of intricate lace adorning the museum's halls.
The work was created by Valeriy Kuznetsov in collaboration with his wife, Kateryna Kuznetsova, Artem Malyutin, and Tetiana Shchedrova.
In a comment to UP.Culture, the artist mentioned that he finished the work on July 5, but only decided to reveal it now. The impetus came from news about discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which a red carpet was laid out for the latter. This prompted Valeriy to showcase his work to the world.
"The work transforms into a living artery, wrapping around the stairs and walls, addressing themes of war, memory, blood, and loss", Valeriy wrote.
The installation is made from ethylene-vinyl acetate – a flexible synthetic material derived from the byproducts of the footwear industry.
The artist noted that this material resembles plasticine. The use of vinyl ties gives the piece a prickly appearance.
"We aimed to create something reminiscent of our patterns. However, we also wanted to convey that this mass represents blood taking the shape of patterns. I am very pleased that we presented this project in an art museum, as our work beautifully complements the exhibits currently on display", Valeriy stated.
He added that in Dnipro, situated 95 kilometers from the front, the installation serves as a physical and emotional response to current events. The red, mesh structure symbolizes "the vulnerability of the human body, traditional cultural ornaments, and the creeping shadow of violence".
This project continues a long-term exploration of this material, which artists have been working with since 2008.
Among future plans, Valeriy hopes to extend the river and showcase his work in other cities.
