Tribute to the death of Mykola Bazhan 1983

Editor: Here we have Hryhorii Havrylenko's 1983 watercolor, "Tribute to the death of Mykola Bazhan." It's a striking, abstract piece, with these intense red circles juxtaposed against softer blue and yellow. What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: The tension between the materials and the explicit title is interesting. Watercolor, often seen as delicate, is here used to portray "death" and a "black scream," according to what looks like handwritten text in the work. Editor: Yes, the text is so interesting. Do you think that was done using the same watercolor materials, and could it represent anything further? Curator: I think the text’s deliberate execution using watercolor speaks volumes about the artistic intent. Watercolor, traditionally associated with landscapes and gentle portraits, is here used almost aggressively. Consider the period: 1983. Think of what materials might or might not be accessible, what sort of statements can be made depending on the context, where this painting comes from. The artist subverts our expectation of the medium to convey grief, a stark contrast that underscores the human condition under political and cultural pressures. Editor: So, you are saying, the choice of watercolor is more than just material, it’s a political and social statement too. How does that play out do you think? Curator: By utilizing common, perhaps even readily available materials, Havrylenko bypasses traditional restrictions placed upon art and access. It becomes democratized, and relatable to ordinary people mourning within similar limitations. The work, through it’s materiality, transforms into an act of quiet resistance against expected aesthetic norms. Editor: That’s fascinating. I hadn’t considered the work in light of production and material accessibility, I was mostly focused on the formal aspects, it adds so much context. Curator: Right, it forces us to consider art beyond mere aesthetics. Thinking about these artworks like this makes for much deeper reflection.