What is Vyschyvanka, whose initiative is the practice and what are the objectives ?
The aim of the project was also to facilitate a creative activity within a network of female Ukrainian artists to support them in times of grief and confusion and to create a friendly communication circle, where they can relax.
Vyshyvanka is a name for traditionally embroidered shirts (Ukrainian: "вишиванка"), which are an essential part of the Ukrainian national costume. The pattern of the ornaments, the design and the colours have been inherited from generation to generation and have become a tradition. During the time of Stalin's Holodomor, the embroidered shirts were hidden in chests, and wearing them in public led to persecution. After the proclamation of independence, the embroidered shirt experienced a "second birth" and became a true symbol of independent Ukraine. Traditionally, women embroidered shirts for their husbands to protect them from illness, misfortune or a bullet in war. Vyshyvanka is also a lucky charm and symbol of hope for an early reunion with loved ones. Folk ornaments are the wealth and pride of every nation. In times of struggle for the homeland, it acquires an additional meaning and becomes a symbol of the chosen path.
In the art project "Wyschywanka", the shirts are artistically transformed and lovingly designed on plywood pieces by 19 women who fled the war in Ukraine. Every woman has brought her own story into the painting of the men's embroidered shirt. The project combined art and work with individual memories while preserving traditions in times of war, therefore allowing women to experience intimate connections through painting.
The aim of the project was also to facilitate a creative activity within a network of female Ukranian artists to support them in times of grief and confusion and to create a friendly communication circle, where they can relax.
It is an imitative of the artists Maria and Natalia Petschatnikov: http://www.petschatnikov.de/
How was your practice financed ?
The project was realised with the support of the Berlin Wall Memorial Foundation
What are the tangible results of the practice?
We created 20 art objects, each Vyshyvanka is unique and represents an individual artist.
How are practice's results promoted/disseminated?
The artworks were exhibited from June 27th to July 17th, 2022 in the "Parliament of Trees against War and Violence" in the middle of the government district of the German capital.
From September 11th until November 2022, Vyshyvankas are presented in PANDA Platforma. This place plays a special role for people who have fled from Ukraine to Berlin. After the exhibition, a charity auction for Ukraine will be held, where the vyshyvankas will be sold and the donations will be transferred to Ukrainian charities.
How can the practice be readapted? For how many people what materials, preparations are needed and how long does the practice take?
Each family and culture nurture a set of traditional or very special ornaments that can be inherited from one generation to another. These ornaments can be applied to a variety of surfaces and objects using different artistic methods like painting, collages, mosaics, and sculpturing. Many objects can also serve as a lucky charm in different cultures and families. The artist just has to find or suggest an idea responding to the needs of individual groups.
You will need pieces of plywood cut to resemble a shirt, paints and brushes. It is ideally designed for 20 participants.