Lace of Centuries

The first event of the Sofia Paper Art Fest 2024 program epitomizes this year’s motto – “Without Borders”. The exhibition “Lace of Centuries” by the Ukrainian artist Daria Alyoshkina is an important message to the contemporary world, calling for unity in the struggle for peace through culture. The project happens thanks to the special program “Culture of Solidarity – EUNIC Ukraine Fund”, supported by the European Cultural Foundation and the Bulgarian Cluster of EUNIC – EU National Institutes for Culture. The initiative is embraced by the organizers of Sofia Paper Art Fest and is included in the Paper Art Biennial’s program in support of Ukraine and its representation as part of the European cultural treasury.
‍

The exhibition “Lace of Centuries” is an extraordinary project by Alyoshkina, an artist with an established name in the field of Ukrainian contemporary art. The works are created in the traditional technique of “vytynanky” and build an elegant and impressive display. The exhibition has been presented at the Venice Biennale for Architecture in 2023 as part of the pavilion “DNA Ukraine”.

The exquisiteness of the works, woven from symbolic elements with light penetrating through them, create an unforgettable emotional impact. The “vytynanky” technique, an art of paper cutting, removes superfluous elements, as only significant events and periods remain in history over time. This is the story the project “Lace of Centuries” tells, by no coincidence presented in the historical heart of Sofia – the exhibition space “Triangular Tower of Serdica”.

The twelve large-scale panels go through the history of Ukraine and its formation as a nation and a state. In the last decade, Ukrainians have rediscovered their culture and national identity, in the foundation of which we find their fighting spirit. Daria Alyoshkina’s creative approach combines traditional principles with contemporary context and composition. The panels, floating in space like visions from the depths of history, are divided into nine themes: Scythia, Kievan Rus, Anna Yaroslavna, Golden Horde, Embroideries of Cossack Generals, Intercession of the Theotokos, At Liberty, Modern, and Trypillia.

Here is what Alyoshkina shares about her project:
“In my work, images of women occupy perhaps the most important place, I love to create, invent and spiritualize their stories. In this project, which is mostly ornamental, I wanted to find a place for female images. I settled on Anna Yaroslavna, the Intercession of the Theotokos, and female silhouettes from modern vytynanky. The image of Yaroslav the Wise’s daughter Anna Yaroslavna is also close to my heart because in 2018 I was able to visit the French town of Senlis and feel the atmosphere of the town where she lived. I embodied my memories into the series “Trypillia”. When I was little I didn’t have many toys in the village – I remember the ceramic clay sculptures in the shape of a stylised woman. The shape of this ceramic figurine is the basis of the composition of this vytynanky. The silhouette of the woman who is born from the water. The symbols and ornaments are taken from ceramics – rain, earth, water.”

“Lace of Centuries” opens on March 25 at 6 p.m. and is on view until April 25, 2024 at Triangular Tower of Serdica (16 Kniyaginya Maria Luiza Blvd., Sofia 1000). Working hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Accompanying program:
• March 26, 3 p.m., “Vytynanky” – presentation by the artist about her oeuvre, and workshop that will present the technique;
• April 5, 4 p.m., “Cultural policies in troubled times” – a conversation between cultural operators, public and cultural institutions, state institutions and media
• April 17, 6 p.m., “And That Which People Are Thinking” – presentation of the book by the Ukrainian writer Vasyl Gabor, Ergo Publishing House, 2023, by the translator Pavlina Martinova-Ivanova, the publisher Martin Hristov, and interview with the writer, Triangular Tower of Serdica, Regional History Museum – Sofia.

The exhibition is realised with the financial support of the project “The Culture of Solidarity – EUNIC Ukraine Fund” (in partnership with and co-funded by European Cultural), “Visual Arts” Program of the Ministry of Culture, “Creation” Program of the National Culture Fund, and the Calendar of Cultural Events of Sofia Municipality for 2024.