The modernism movement in Ukraine unfolded against a complicated socio-political backdrop of collapsing empires, World War I, the fight for independence, and the eventual establishment of Soviet Ukraine. Despite such political turmoil, this became a period of bold artistic and literary experimentation, and a true renaissance in Ukrainian art, literature, theatre, and cinema.
We wanted to create an exhibition design which represents its avant-garde spirit and evokes viewers’ emotions whilst complimenting the artwork.
The gallery space is divided into six themed sections: Cubo-Futurism, Theatre Design, Kultur Lige, Ukraine under the Soviets, Kyiv Art Institute, and The Last Generation. Each section has its distinctive colour, inspired from a particular painting associated with the theme.
We installed curved walls made from flexible plywood creating a theatrical backdrop. The arrangement of the walls encourages visitors to flow through the gallery space naturally. A whimsical arched opening in the wall affords a long view through different sections, tying the exhibition space together as an enfilade of colours.
