ART EXHITIONS IN UKRAINE
ART EXHITIONS IN UKRAINE. OUR EXPERIENCE
Ukraine is one of the post-Soviet countries in Eastern Europe.
Since the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991, the so called third
sector only begins to develop here; many innovations and models
of social work, which are common practices in the countries of
Europe and USA, seem very new here. The exhibitions of hand-made
art things made and presented by disabled, are an example.
Non-profitable non-governmental organization Bells of Chernobyl
in Kiev-Sviatoshyn district (www.dzwony.iatp.org.ua) organized
during one year six exhibitions already. This branch of
activities is new for the district: notwithstanding the fact
that in Kiev-Sviatoshyn district (something like a county) work
about 10 different NGOs, in most places nobody heard about this
form of the assistance to disabled. What lessons learned we
organizing our events? What could be usefull for European or
American NGOs? We believe that because of, so to say, "fresh
view" we can say something useful and you could use it in your
practices.
Art exhibitions in Ukraine are very strong tools to prevent
suicide among disabled. Here, they live in isolation; they have
neither Internet nor special schools to study. Mostly, they have
no forum to be together. People, not seeing the solving of their
problems, decide to finish their life in suicide. But, when they
become the goal in their life, the amount of suicides decreases
almost twice as it was in Boyarka (one of the towns of the
district). Among disabled masters there were some very talented
people. We proposed one of them to teach in group and very
quickly the group of ten persons was formed. Especially, that is
interesting for those who live in rural areas - usually they
have no much places of entertainment.
The most actual question is who would be invited to visit the
exhibition. "Bells of Chernobyl..." invites pupils of the local
schools; for them that is good and interesting lesson that you
should not be upset and frustrated. Life continues. Visitors are
literally astonished by the quality of hand-made things! As is
well known, the pension of disabled is too low to allow buying
expensive materials. So we found some busineses which specialize
on textiles. They had given us the remains of their materials.
That was enough to make some soft toys. Of course, old pillows
and coats were used too. But, looking at the colourful toy
presenting Ukrainian Cosack, you will never guess of what it is
produced. Some "noble" napkins are made from threads gotten from
the "humble" sweater. So disabled master had not pay for his
materials.
Please look at our site and find more about us. We encourage you
put us questions; they are welcome!
Alexander Wolf, Director of Bells of Chernobyl in
Kiev-Sviatoshyn district www.dzwony.iatp.org.ua