Today, the city of Irpin is focused not only on reconstruction and addressing the devastating consequences of the Russian attacks. The efforts of the authorities and the cultural community are directed towards shaping a new strategy for the city and its development, and the cultural dimension plays a particularly important role in this context. As the Irpin City Council puts it: “We want to create a new approach to reconstruction. To revive culture by engaging contemporary art from around the world, which will put Irpin on the global map.”

This is precisely why the idea arose for the city to collaborate with the ‘ChervoneChorne’ art collective, whose long-standing aim has been to develop sculpture in public spaces through the long-running Kaniv International Sculpture Symposium and the installation of sculptures in public places (see the Sculpture Route in Stryi Park). This collaboration was made possible by shared values and the city’s openness to cultural initiatives. Sculpture plays a major role in shaping the attractive image of cities for their residents and visitors, international partners and charitable organisations. Thanks to its technical characteristics, size and public accessibility, street sculpture is visible to a wide audience, has a noticeable impact on the landscape and can become a catalyst for positive social change.

The first work to emerge from this collaboration was the sculpture *A Space for Meditation for a Monk* by the Japanese artist Yoshio Yagi, which was created as part of the Kaniv International Sculpture Symposium in 2019. This work is narrative, and according to the sculptor, it symbolises the path of a monk who climbs the steps up the rock to the hermit’s cell for meditation. “We live in a suffering world, one marked by many wars, pandemics and environmental problems, and we stand on the threshold of the need to discover a new world and a new concept for it,” says the sculptor. Through this temporary exhibition, Irpin City Council and the creative collective “ChervoneChorne” are drawing attention to contemporary art and the city’s strategic priorities for its development.

The location chosen for the temporary sculpture exhibition is the area in front of the Irpin Central House of Culture, destroyed by the Russians, at 183 Soborna Street, Irpin, where it will be on display for one year.

Kontakt:‍

Kateryna Pidhayna, curator of the artistic association “Chervonechorne” chervone.chorne@gmail.com