KYIV ART FORT 2017 Contemporary art plein air at Kyiv Fortress

From April 30 to May 14, 2017, the historic Kyiv Fortress (24-A Hospitальна Street) hosted KYIV ART FORT 2017: Human Between War and Life. Admission was free. The event offered a rare chance to experience how contemporary art can connect reality with personal perception. It highlighted what truly matters, explored global shifts in social values, and invited reflection on big questions: What is peace? What is war? What defines a new society? Who are its heroes?

The Atmosphere and Participants

During the event, visitors explored installations, paintings, sculptures, graphics, and performances. They also immersed themselves in the beauty of Crimean plein air works. Moreover, they could become part of interactive installations and discover works by international artists. In addition, guests joined presentations of the project “Ukraine. The Best”.

The plein air featured both small and large exhibition halls. These halls displayed works by renowned artists from “Ukraine. The Best”. They also showcased pieces by emerging talents—students who were finalists in the Anatoliy Kryvolap Prize competition. The grand finale and awards ceremony took place on May 5.

The main exhibition unfolded outdoors. It stretched along the esplanade between the Northern Half-Tower and the Defensive Wall. Along the tower, visitors saw large peaceful landscapes by Anatoliy Kryvolap. On the Defensive Wall, five-meter-high photographs of heroic soldiers by Andriy Kotlyarchuk were displayed.

Participants included a children’s interactive project by Vladyslav Yerko and Ivan Malkovych, Viktor Sydorenko, a group of artists led by Volodymyr Hulych, the GAZ Group, Vasyl Tatarsky, Yuriy Svirin, Roman Minin, and Roman Mykhailov. Other participants were the project “Gurzuf Seasons. Transformations of Time. Street” curated by Olesya Avramenko, top projects from the School of Contemporary Art, the Art Tent installation, and works provided by embassies of EU member states.

Highlights of KYIV ART FORT 2017:

• The presentation of a new Ukrainian alphabet, which formed the basis of the encyclopedia “Ukraine. The Best. Cultural Space from A to Z”

• Meetings between ATO veterans and heroes featured in the encyclopedia, including Maidan participants and soldiers from Eastern Ukraine

• The Anatoliy Kryvolap Prize awards ceremony and a charity exhibition-auction supporting wounded ATO soldiers, held on May 14, Europe Day

• Numerous vernissages, artist talks, discussions, workshops, acoustic performances, jam sessions, and other surprises from Ukraine’s vibrant creative community