Maksym Khodak
Maksym Khodak (b. 2001, Bila Tserkva) is Ukrainian artist, who currently works and studies in Vienna. He has studied Contemporary Art at the Kyiv Academy of Media Arts, and now he continues his study on BA TransArts program at University of Applied Arts Vienna. He is also a fellow of WHW Akademija 4th generation. In 2021, he received the Prince Claus Seed Award, and was shortlisted for the PinchukArtCentre Prize 2022. Maksym Khodak’s works deal with the topics of history and the ways of documenting it; internet culture; a critical view on cinema and photography. In addition, Khodak's works react to the current political situation around him. The optic that unites these distinct topics is a critical rethinking of the existence of the Soviet legacy in the post – Soviet conditions of his country. Artist’s recent interest is to build a dialogue through art with his generation, people who were born in the 21st century, as an attempt to invent a new political language comprehensible to the youth.
Empty Pedestals
2022,
glazed ceramics
The Empty Pedestals by Maksym Khodak refer to the so-called “tank monuments”, installed by the Soviets in Ukraine to commemorate the victory in World War II. In small sculptural objects, the artist reproduces the pedestals of these memorials, referring to the ones located in the cities that were granted the hero city status in 2022 by the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. Just like in the post-War tradition of the second half of the 20th century, this gesture aimed to celebrate the citizens’ heroism, devotion and the collective bravery in their defense against the aggressor. All sculptures in the series also function as piggy banks: each was used for its intended purpose during the exhibitions in Europe and Ukraine. Visitors are invited to make a donation for the needs of Ukrainian art. The call to donate is written and designed by the hosting institution. With this gesture, the artist questions the role of art during the war and the way cultural institutions change their strategies in times of crisis. The donations collected during the exhibitions will remain inside the objects forever. Yet, the proceeds from the sale of the works are distributed among organizations that help the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
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October 8–November 12
Where Are We Now, After All Those Endlessly Repeated Words?
Curated by Petro Ryaska, Daria Shevtsova
supported by KAIR and Budapest Gallery AIR