In February war broke out in Ukraine and in March I decided to look for a Ukrainian artist for my interview and exhibition series "The Feminine Element in Photography". After several detours I found Bella Logachova from Kharkiv. Bella is amazing! She can immediately transform the horrific events in her homeland into art.
 
Just a month later, on April 5, I met Ellen Owens, Director of the Castellani Art Museum and Chief Curator Michael Beam. Since then we have been working closely and under high pressure on the joint exhibition "Live Through War", which will open on July 28th.
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Image Exhibition

CAM Summer Exhibition Features 

Contemporary Ukrainian Artist 

Living Through War: Works from Kharkiv by

Bella Logachova

 

On View July 28, 2022 – June 11, 2023

Opening Reception Thursday, July 28, 2022

Bella Logachova, Hleb Peremir (Bread Peace 2019) from the ARtNUO (New Ukrainian Ornaments) Series, 2019, archival print, Courtesy of the artist and Sabine Kutt Photography

“Art distracts and gives strength. Art will always be against war.”

 

Living Through War: Works from Kharkiv by Bella Logachova is a reaction against the war in Ukraine as it is actively taking place. Each work gives unique insight into the perspective of an artist living through the violence and destruction of her homeland.

 

With this exhibition, the Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University (CAM) strives to bring empathy and awareness to the war in Ukraine while supporting an artist and her country embroiled in conflict. The exhibition will be on view Thursday, July 28, 2022 with an opening reception from 4:30–7:30 p.m with RSVP required.

 

The first hour, 4:30–5:30 p.m., is for Museum Members and features a special tour. From 5:30-7:30 p.m., the public can explore the exhibition, hear remarks from co-curator Sabine Kutt and leadership from the Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center, and attend a short public gallery tour. Additional programs will be hosted during the run of the exhibition.

RSVP for July 28 Reception

Bella Logachova, DNR (Donetskaya Narodnaya Respublica) from the ARtNUO (New Ukrainian Ornaments) Series, 2022, archival print, Courtesy of the artist and Sabine Kutt Photography 

Living Through War: Works from Kharkiv by Bella Logachova offers the incredibly rare opportunity to see through the eyes of a person in an active combat zone. The CAM will exhibit nineteen of Bella Logachova’s artworks from the ARtNUO (New Ukrainian Ornaments) Series, produced from 2014 through 2022, along with a video of the artist. Combining imagery that is traditional to Ukrainian folk art along with military icons and symbols, Bella Logachova creates complex and narrative digital images. 

Bella Logachova is a Ukrainian artist and photographer, born in Mariupol in 1973. She graduated from the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Art, where she currently teaches Media Arts and is a co-founder of SOSka art group, including the Excess film group, in Kharkiv. She has exhibited her work throughout Europe and Ukraine.

 

 

Bella Logachova in Kharkiv with Boing 777, from the ARtNUO (New Ukrainian Ornaments) Series, 2022, archival print, Courtesy of the artist and Sabine Kutt Photography

This exhibition is co-curated with Sabine Kutt of Sabine Kutt Photography. Sabine Kutt is a photographer, art curator, choreographer, and ballet master. Born and raised in East Germany, she has resided in the United States since 2001. Sabine Kutt curates international exhibitions and special events, and currently represents women artists, including Bella Logachova.

 

VASA Journal of Images and Culture published an interview with Bella Logachova and Sabine Kutt announcing the CAM's upcoming exhibition. Sabine Kutt is also the author of the accompanying essay titled "Only Women Can Do That—The Feminine Element in Photography."  

VASA Journal Interview

Bella Logachova, WARWARWARWAR from the ARtNUO (New Ukrainian Ornaments) Series, 2022, archival print. Courtesy of the artist and Sabine Kutt Photography

The Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center in Buffalo, an important exhibition partner, is providing project support and lending traditional Ukrainian needlework for visual reference in the exhibition. The gallery will feature a QR code that allows CAM visitors to donate directly to Dnipro’s Ukrainian Humanitarian and Medical Aid charity fund. On Saturday, July 30, the CAM will host a special day of programming for Dnipro members and supporters to visit Living Through War. 

 

Smaller Bella Logachova prints will be editioned and sold to support the artist and Ukrainian organizations she selects for donations. 

 

During a time of many global conflicts, the CAM supports creativity across borders and recognizes the deep contributions of immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC communities to the cultural fabric of the Buffalo-Niagara region. Additional programs referencing these powerful works will be hosted during the run of the exhibition for Niagara University students, local school districts, and the general public.

 
Deutscher Text
Im Februar brach der Krieg in der Ukraine aus und im März beschloss ich nach einer Künstlerin aus der Ukraine für meine Interview- und Ausstellungsreihe "Das feminine Element in der Fotografie" zu suchen. Über etliche Umwege fand ich Bella Logachova aus Kharkiv. Bella ist unglaublich! Sie kann die entsetzlichen Ereignisse in ihrer Heimat sofort in Kunst umzusetzen.

Nur einen Monat später, am 5. April, traf ich Ellen Owens, Direktorin des Castellani Art Museums of Niagara University und Chefkurator Michael Beam. Seit dem arbeiten wir eng und unter Hochdruck an der gemeinsamen Ausstellung 'Den Krieg durchleben', die am 28. July eröffnet wird.