On the eve of its 20th anniversary, the Municipal Gallery continues to treat all fans of contemporary art to interesting projects. On the last day of spring, the presentation of a new project by Kyiv artist Illia Isupov.

“PERISCOPE” is the second version of the project of the same name, which took place at the Small Gallery of the “Mystetskyi Arsenal” in April of this year.

“An artist does not draw — an artist writes. This is about Illia Isupov. He grew up in a family of artists among books and paintings and is called the most ‘literary’ contemporary artist. He writes with meanings, omissions, and dreams. Having burst into Ukrainian art on the crest of the new wave of the 1990s-2000s, Illia took his unique place in this constellation of wild-at-heart artists. He always has something to say about what is happening around him, even when it is impossible to express or describe it…

Natasha Isupova”

_____

As is known, every person liable for military service takes a solemn oath of allegiance to the homeland. In different countries, it has its own specifics, content, and ritual; it corresponds to the traditions of a particular people. The unifying element is solemnity, reverence before the new responsibility, and unwavering confidence in the correctness of the decision made. It is from the moment of taking the oath that a recruit acquires rights and duties in accordance with the country’s military legislation, including punishment for betrayal — desertion. Refusal to take the oath is not permitted.

How did the sailors of the Ukrainian fleet feel after the annexation of Crimea, when they were obliged to “observe the Constitution of Russia, strictly comply with the requirements of military regulations, orders of commanders and superiors” (in accordance with Article 40 of the Law of the Russian Federation “On Military Duty and Military Service”)? Who are they now: heroes or traitors? What is the attitude of Russian fleet sailors toward servicemen who once swore allegiance to another country?

The personal tragedy of an admiral of the conquered land is presented in the gallery space by artist Illia Isupov. Even sincerely accepting the ideology of the new country, the admiral wants to forget the past, erasing it from the present. But dreams bring back repressed fears and doubts.

Dana Brezhnieva

The Admiral’s Troubling Dream

Lately, the admiral has been having the same strange dream. He cannot remember it at all, but sometimes the vision suddenly resurfaces as a wave of inexplicable anxiety when the admiral walks along the warm asphalt of a southern city, when he hears the cry of seagulls or the sound of the sea somewhere nearby. He becomes frightened, although there seems to be nothing to fear: he is not a traitor, he betrayed a traitor and became a hero! Isn’t that so? It is all difficult, especially since the admiral is not accustomed to seeking and finding meanings in his actions, much less in his dreams. Maybe you can?

Illia Isupov