Venice Biennale: Pavlo Makov, a Ukrainian artist in the war
Ukrainian artist Pavlo Makov poses near his work The Fountain of Exhaustion at the Ukraine Pavilion during the 59th Venice Art Biennale.
AFP - VINCENZO PINTO
Text by: Isabelle Chenu Follow
2 mins
Pavlo Makov, 63, is the Ukrainian artist long-time chosen to represent his country at the Venice Biennale of Arts.
The largest artistic event in the world has just opened and lasts until November.
He got there narrowly and his work could be released in a rather incredible way after the start of the war started by Russia.
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Pavlo Makov connects the interviews in an ultra fast flow, with this feeling of urgency which does not leave him any more since the beginning of the war.
Since the Russian invasion, his family, like many Ukrainian families, has been scattered across Europe.
What should have been an honor and a celebration – representing his country at the Venice Art Biennale – turned into a platform for Ukraine's survival in front of his work entitled
Fountain of Exhaustion
.
“
When I talk about exhaustion, I'm not just talking about politics or our social life, I'm talking about the exhaustion of our relationship to nature.
We are talking about war now, but the ice continues to melt in the Far North.
»
"Feel things before others"
His
Fountain of Exhaustion
, made up of 78 bronze funnels through which the water can no longer flow, made it to Venice thanks to the determination of one of the curators of the exhibition, who took it through a part of Europe in his car.
“
The big difference with artists is not that they draw or write better than others, it's that they think faster.
Feeling things before others is the main trait of an artist.
Politicians should pay attention to this.
It can help.
But I am pragmatic.
And to help, I send most of my income to Ukraine, to the army, to volunteers, and to my friends there.
Our fight is on the front line, not here.
»
In the meantime, it is here in front of the
Fountain of Exhaustion
by Pavlo Makov, a sad metaphor for the situation in the world, that the crowd throngs.
►
To read also:
Women in the spotlight for the 59th International Biennale of Contemporary Art in Venice
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