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April 1, 2022 • Schneps Media
LOCAL NEWS
The blue-and-gold period
Artistic expressions of solidarity with Ukraine in East Village
BY TEQUILA MINSKY
Neighborhood Ukrainians
and their friends, East Villagers
as well as the Citizen
Bank family cluster outside the
new bank branch across Second
Ave. from Veselka’s, as a public
artwork begins to take form.
Muralist Ukrainian-born New
York-based artist Misha Tyutyunik
had drawn the outlines of his mural
on the E. 9th St. wall of the bank,
the day before. At noon on Saturday,
he sets up paints in cups and brushes,
inviting all attendees to add their
hand to the mural.
Misha emigrated as a child from
Ukraine, attended Pratt and has
created murals locally and internationally;
he’s also known as MDOT.
Four years ago, on a one-year Fulbright
in Ukraine, this creator of
public art finished six murals—two
in Sumy, Kyiv, and Brovary.
Originally meant for the Museum
of History there, one design was created
with the help of historians and
curators in Kyiv, but never brought
to fruition. It is this piece, named
Ukraine: A History in Solidarity,
coming to life in the East Village
and as Misha says, ”It was meant to
be on this wall.”
“I’m standing with the people of
Ukraine, and oppressed people everywhere,”
the artist says, introducing
the project. “I would love for
you guys to join me. I have brushes,
I have paints; let’s let the kids start
first and then everyone can jump
in.“ Misha believes if you’re doing
something in the public sphere, the
public should be involved, “I hope
people feel they’re involved with this
process. It can’t just be me; it has to
be everyone.”
Velselka and East Village Meat
Market fuel the event with blue
and yellow cookies (in the spirit of
the iconic Seinfeld-made-fa mous
black-and-white New York cookie)
and traditional soft, light and flaky
preserve-filled Ukrainian donuts
and coffee. Strains of Ukrainian recorded
music provide ambiance as
crowd participation adds pigmented
color.
Citizens Bank, the new business
on the block—since the end of
February—is sponsoring the mural
project. “Since the start of this war,
New Yorkers of Ukrainian origin
and others have been visiting our
block to demonstrate solidarity
with Ukrainians, ” says Nuno Dos
Santos from Citizens. Noting that
this artwork honors the resilient
spirit of Ukraine, he adds, “This is
one way in standing in solidarity
with the people of Ukraine and the
neighborhood here.”
Additionally, the bank is providing
$25,000 matching funds raised
by the 100-year-old Ukrainian National
Women’s League of America
for Ukrainian refugee relief.
The artwork in the mural represents
the legend of how Kyiv,
Ukraine’s capital was named. Legend
states that three brothers, Kyi,
Shchek and Khoryv, and their sister
Lybid, founded the city. Kyiv thus
takes its name from Kyi, the eldest
brother. This depiction is of the famous
monument of the three brothers
and their sister and personifies
Ukrainian storytelling and cultural
history.
In another example of artistic
expression of solidarity this past
weekend, in Soho, the gallery
a83 on Grand Street featured art
prints from 15 artists for sale in a
fundraising exhibition.
Entering the gallery, the visitor
is faced by a huge wall in the colors
of the Ukrainian flag. Contributing
artists were directed to create works
in those colors —blue and yellow.
The sale included a series of numbered
riso prints by various authors
interpreting Small Acts of Reisistance,
individual anti-war actions
carried out over the past few weeks
in Russian and beyond, amidst increasing
government crackdown on
protest and dissent in response to
the invasion of Ukraine.
The exhibit also featured screen
prints by Moscow-based artist Oleg
Borodin.
BY DEAN MOSES
Mayor Eric Adams joined
Ukrainian Consulate General
Oleksii Holubov for a
ceremonial act of support in Bowling
Green on March 23 amid the
ongoing war in the sovereign Eastern
European country.
Hundreds of Ukrainian New
Yorkers surrounded Broadway and
Morris Street on March 23 to witness
Adams and Holubov raise
both the star spangled banner and
Ukrainian colors in unison. A symbolic
show of support, the flags were
promised to be flown side by side
until the battle ends.
“New York has the largest Ukrainian
population outside of Ukraine,”
Adams said. “And we’re proud of
having that experience. Any conflict
that plays out on a global scale plays
out on the streets of New York City,
the bombs that are bursting keep
on breaking our hearts here in New
York and throughout our entire
country. And today, the raising of
the flag is also to raise the energy in
the spirit of the Ukrainian people to
know that we are united together.”
Amidst the rainfall, the officials
joked that Ukrainians are bulletproof,
so a little bit water won’t hurt.
They also emphasized the sheer
resiliency Ukrainians have shown
during these dark and horrific days.
Their strength has been exhibited
through their numerous patriotic
and selfless acts, from news about
16-year-old Katherina shielding her
eight-year-old brother from gunfire
to teachers tearfully taking up arms
to defend against the invasion.
In Lower Manhattan, Holubov
declared that the flag will not only
fly until the war is over but until
Ukraine is victorious.
“We are sacrificing our lives in
the name of the future. That is why
today the American people are helping
not just Ukraine, but your world
to keep the planet alive,” he said.
Several members of the crowd
began weeping as the mayor, fellow
elected officials, and Ukrainian
dignitaries began raising theflags to
the sound of the embattled country’s
national anthem.
According to event organizers,
Bowling Green was chosen to host
this symbolic ceremony since it is
the only location in New York City
where flags from around the globe
are raised.
PHOTO BY TEQUILA MINSKY
A girl helps paint a mural in the East Village dedicated to the people of Ukraine.
PHOTO BY DEAN MOSES
Mayor Eric Adams helps hoist the Ukrainian colors.
Adams, dignitaries raise Ukrainian flag