On March 14th, Ukraine will present its national pavilion "From South to North" at the inaugural Malta Biennale — maltabiennale.art 2024. This was announced through a press release.
The Ukrainian pavilion will feature the project "From South to North" by artist Alevtina Kahidze, which explores the theme of decolonization and reflections on the imperial past against the backdrop of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Curating the pavilion are Katerina Semenyuk and Oksana Dovgopolova.
According to the press release, the project symbolically connects Malta and Odessa. The pavilion "From South to North" offers a perspective from Malta to Ukraine, shifting from south to north: in this perspective, Odessa is perceived "not as the south of the Russian Soviet empire, but as the north of the Mediterranean region."
Kahidze's project comprises video work shot in Odessa in early 2024 in collaboration with artist Roman Khimey, as well as installations created specifically for the pavilion space.
"In the mirror of her own family history, the artist analyzes how the empire disrupts the lives of different generations and how this sometimes invisible influence manifests over time. Kahidze overlays the history of her own family onto the events of the 20th century in Ukraine and Europe, establishing a connection with the 21st century: the narrative continues with the personal experience of the artist during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine," the press release states.
The "From South to North" project for participation in the biennale was proposed by the cultural memory platform "Past / Future / Art" in partnership with the Odesa National Art Museum, the artistic production company NOS from Italy, and the Ukrainian Institute.
"The Ukrainian pavilion at the Malta Biennale becomes an act of cultural diplomacy, particularly crucial in times of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine. When the existence of the country and the right to its own identity are threatened, support for culture becomes the next task after supporting the front lines. By representing Ukraine on new international platforms, we affirm Ukrainian presence in the global artistic and political context," say the pavilion curators Katerina Semenyuk and Oksana Dovgopolova.
The Malta Biennale will take place for the first time from March 13 to May 31, 2024. The event aims to 'formulate new narratives for the Mediterranean region as a hub of culture' and 'rethink global perceptions of art and society based on ideas originating from the deep south of the European continent.' The organizers of the biennale are the Maltese national agencies for museums, restoration, and cultural heritage, Heritage Malta, and Arts Council Malta for the development and investment in cultural and creative sectors, together with the National Art Museum MUŻA.
The event will be held under the patronage of UNESCO and the President of Malta.
