PinchukArtCentre presented exhibition at the 20th YES Annual Meeting in Kyiv

Presenting contemporary art has become a characteristic feature of the Yalta European Strategy (YES) annual meetings for the past 20 years. Artworks have accompanied various socio-political discussions, not only providing visual support to the forum's narrative but also contributing to a deeper understanding of the topics discussed during the YES forum. 

This year's forum, The Necessity to Win, featured Damien Hirst's sculpture, "Saint Bartholomew, Exquisite Pain," and the project by architect and artist Oleksandr Burlaka, "Messages of Fight, Belief and Memory—From Ukrainians," showcasing photographs by Ukrainian photographers.

Damien Hirst "Saint Bartholomew, Exquisite Pain" 

A human who stands for his belief, no matter the cost to himself. Like Ukraine today, standing up for itself.

Exquisite Pain, by Damien Hirst, depicts St. Bartholomew, an apostle whose story goes that he was flayed alive. 

Here St. Bartholomew is shown in full strength, and with a detailed anatomy, wearing his own skin over his arm while holding a knife and scissors in his hands. Exquisite Pain is here a homage to all men and women who have died in defense of Ukraine.

Oleksandr Burlaka "Messages of Fight, Belief and Memory—From Ukrainians" 

This is the voice of Ukrainians.

Photographers throughout Ukraine collected images of handwritten or hand-carved messages in the streets, squares, on destroyed enemy tanks displayed in public and even on shells that will be used to defend Ukraine.

Ukrainians speak out in public space to share their beliefs, their emotions and reasons to keep fighting. What fills the heart, will flow over from the mouth.

These are the people, these are their emotions, and these are the reasons all Ukrainians are fighting.

A video featuring portraits of those who have fallen defending Ukraine was presented at the forum. Björn Geldhof, artistic director of the PinchukArtCentre and curator of the exhibition, commented: “Throughout the conference, fallen soldiers are systematically present, reminding every participant of the urgency and immediacy of the support needed—time costs lives.”

The photos used in the video were provided by the NGO ‘Memories of Ukraine’ with the technical support of Bank of Memories, which creates digital memorials, laboratories and socio-cultural services.

The photos via the link are open for usage. When using photos, please, note the copyright information: Photographs provided by the VictorPinchukFoundation©️2024 and @YES2024. Photographed by PRYZM Photography (Nicolas Lobet, Valentyna Rostovikova, Frederic Garrido-Ramirez) and Oleksandr Piliugin

The partners of the event were: Google, Kyivstar and The International Renaissance Foundation.