Art is a weapon in Ukraine. three women artists and activists tell their stories

“With the war, every moment of life and creativity has become more expensive,” comments Sana Moro at a time when Ukraine does not stop counting its dead as it tries to restore its territories. Arriving in Paris in September 2021 to open a gallery * dedicated to Ukrainian ceramics and design, he organized the exhibition. free land, with strong objects created since the beginning of the conflict. “We thought of this exhibition as a manifesto. War does not block our desire to live. We don’t want to talk about our sufferings, we want to talk about our future, our know-how, the beauty of our culture. Three Ukrainian designers like him tell how they found inexhaustible strength in carrying out their profession during the war.

Detained Ukrainian women are mobilizing on video

MARIANA SADOVSKA, ACTING, SINGING AND PRODUCER, 50 years old

There is incredible solidarity among artists

Mariana Sadowska

“I have been living in Germany for twenty years. Since February 24, like many Ukrainians, I am no longer just an artist, but also an activist here in Cologne. Together with my husband, a theater director, we organized solidarity events, communicated with Ukrainian and German artists. I became a manager and producer, organizing shows in Europe, raising funds. Many artists chose the military or civil defense. Many of them can no longer practice their art, their main task now is to protect our country, to survive. So we have to buy them body armor, night vision devices, radios, organize logistics to the front. Like others, I am sad, tired, on the verge of destruction, but I must continue to help. My art has always been connected with life, political and environmental issues. We are responsible for what we do, for our decisions.”

The word inspiration is not easy for me to pronounce at the moment. It takes time to create, to think, to search for answers. I don’t have that time. Art is a very powerful weapon, there is incredible solidarity among artists. At the beginning of the war, it was very difficult to see all the massacres, my mother still lives in Ukraine, my brother went to the army. Now everything is different. But we can’t give up.”

See also: “Generation of Women and Plants”, an installation designed by Alevtina Kakhidze, until October 27 at the Cultural Center of the Embassy of Ukraine, 22 avenue de Messine, 75008 Paris.

DANUTA KRILL, DESIGNER AND ARCHITECT, 37

I feel that creativity gives me more power

Danuta krill

“Before the war, I worked with my husband and his brother in our design studio in Lviv, Hochu Rayu. We have been designing interiors as well as industrial design for over ten years. I am also a mother of two boys, 4 years old and 2 years old. But after the conflict, I have to manage our projects alone, my husband went to the army with his brother. With a new team, we continue our creations. Many of our Ukrainian clients have returned to work, so we decided to stay here. Finding inspiration is a big challenge. Continuing the work gives hope that after the war we can return to our normal life. The first months were very difficult. Such moments of crisis always have two sides: shock, but also the discovery of resources buried deep within each of us. I feel that creativity gives me more strength. Creating when the enemy is destroying your land is like contrasting light with darkness. It is also our fight, our front. It inspires me. At first you think art doesn’t matter in war. Then you look around, at social networks and realize that art is an integral part of this war. That’s tremendous power. Art gives hope, preserves, can make you laugh, gives you peace. I’m working on a project of ceramic candlesticks and graphics on glass that tells the story of the connection between generations through wars, how we create our identity in that fire. We managed to bring clay from a city in eastern Ukraine, where heavy fighting is going on at the moment. Thus, the material itself is symbolic. My husband is trying to use his design skills to benefit the military. My older son dreams of becoming a soldier, the younger one calls everyone in the armed forces “papa”. She sees her father mostly on the phone. This is no longer an ordinary childhood. I have to work more, I see them less. We have accepted this new reality and every day is a struggle for us. »

ANNA STAVICHENKO, director of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra, 37 years old.

We find that music literally saves our lives

Anna Stavichenko

“I left Ukraine at the end of last February. With my parents, we first went to Kiev, to our country house, then to Lviv, then to the Polish border. At first, we did not plan to go abroad, but the situation became extremely dangerous. We fled to Poland. I wanted to act not only as a volunteer helping Ukrainians to settle in different countries, but in my profession. I wanted the whole world to play the Ukrainian repertoire, to discover this music scene. I contacted musical institutions, including the Paris Philharmonic, and we decided to organize a mission project to help Ukrainian musicians find temporary contracts in French national orchestras, in Paris, Lyon or Toulouse… In April 2022, I came to Paris as a conductor. mission of this project. The city was beautiful, the trees were blooming, people were walking around as if nothing had happened. I used to come to Paris regularly since I was little, but this time the city had a new taste and smell, I couldn’t help but think that after a few hours Ukrainians were being killed, raped, tortured by the Russians, that our cities were being bombed. War changes our views, the contrast between what I escaped and what I saw in front of me was amazing. Work saved me, as always. I multiply the projects to drown the sorrow and longing. Music helps me stay focused, keep breathing. War is a new experience for all of us, and we find that music literally saves our lives. I was happy to see the Ukrainians playing in France, they all feel alive again. I don’t know when I will return to my country. Being on stage allows, despite everything, to continue to preserve our culture, to talk about Ukraine all over the world. »