Robert and Nataliya Brovdi: “Silver Easel" is a project that will create a kind of turning point in the Ukrainian young art community”

25

April

2017

For the first time the contest "Silver Easel" was held in 2016. How can you describe the first contest, and the development of participants after such a period of time?

B.: "Silver Easel 2016" gathered 44 students from 22 higher educational institutions of 13 regions of Ukraine. The lecturers from the numerous universities also came together with the students. Everything was very intensive: compulsory competitive stages - "Cityscape", "Landscape", and "Portrait", cultural and educational programmes, tours, and presentations to the public and media. We did everything necessary to ensure that the contestants were not distracted from painting, creative exchange, and communication. And judging by all the feedback, we received during the contest and upon its results, last year's "Silver Easel" was successful. Young artists had an opportunity to talk with the real legends of the modern art world, get their evaluation and, of course, exchange creative experience with each other. Undoubtedly, this gave impetus to their artistic potential. A lot of them still communicate, plan mutual art projects. It is very encouraging and shows that this contest is very necessary for young people, and we are moving in the right direction.

What are the contest changes?

B.: We made some changes both in the programme of the contest and the format of the contestants' selection. If in 2016 participants’ applications were submitted by educational institutions, then this year we implemented open and competitive selection system. Until April 18, inclusive, each student of 2-6 years of art specialties of higher education institutions of III-IV accreditation levels could personally register the application together with a portfolio with the works on the official website of the contest. Each portfolio of the applicants received numerical codes and, without specifying any identifying data, were submitted to the independent Expert Council for consideration. Each member of the Expert Council determined the best works in his opinion, and thanks to the total rating, we got a list of contestants. Total - 51 participants. For each place in the final part of the event this year there were 7 applicants.

Another important change will take place in competitive nominations. To the previous nominations "Cityscape" and "Portrait" we added a new contest task - "Improvisation". It will allow to reveal more deeply individuality and creative potential. Although it, probably, will add intrigue and complicate the task for Jury. Unchanged will remain an interesting cultural and entertainment programme, all kinds of surprises, creative atmosphere, and bright competition of young talents.

And what are the features of your event and its difference from the contests, which also seek to open new talents, to give way for novice art-representatives?

B.: It is very difficult to evaluate other contests, so I will say about our creative one without reference to other events. Our contest is all-Ukrainian and will eventually become an international one, which will allow the young creative Ukrainian elite to exchange experience and knowledge not only with representatives of different art schools in Ukraine, but also "colleagues" from around the world. For young authors this is an expansion of creative horizons, as well as the opportunity to create joint international projects. For the country, it is a chance to popularize Ukrainian art in different countries of the world.

I would also like to note: "Silver Easel" is not a contest that will last for a year or two, it is a project that, we hope, will create a certain turning point in the Ukrainian young art community and will live for many years.

Who evaluates the works this year and chooses the best winners? Who is among the Jury and on what basis were the experts selected?

B.: Pre-selection of candidates for participation in the contest is carried out by Expert Council formed from a number of experienced art historians, lecturers, and professional artists who are not Jury members and independently evaluate works, encrypted with numerical codes. Thus, we provide more objective and qualitative selection. As for the contest itself, as well as last year, we tried to invite the brightest and most authoritative representatives of the art world to the Jury. The Jury of the current contest, for example, will include: an academician Andrii Chebykin, eminent contemporary artists Anatolii Kryvolap and Tiberiy Szilvashi, a master of Ukrainian painting Volodymyr Mykyta, a famous art critic Halyna Skliarenko. They are the stars of art world, those who can teach the younger generation a lot, which, in our opinion, is very important for the formation of future artists.

In the description of the Foundation's activities it is noted that one of the goals is the formation and development of the art community in Ukraine, the opportunity for young artists to show themselves. If there are such statements, then, do you think that without such contests the development is improbable or will be slower?

N.B.: It is rather about importance of such contests for young authors. Similar events for creative youth is an opportunity to demonstrate and show themselves, compare their mastery level with the peers from other universities, gain new experience and knowledge. It is also a chance to get acquainted with the adult art world - famous artists, gallery owners, art critics, learn something valuable and useful, get an objective and competent assessment of their creativity. Contests are always a challenge for the creative person, they motivate, give impetus to the development.

And how do you assess the current situation in Ukrainian art? How much "fresh blood" is there, which not only declares itself once at the contests, but continues to work?

R.B.: The Ukrainian art world, in my opinion, requires support. Especially, if we are talking about young art, which need assistance to get on its feet. That is what we are actually trying to do. If we talk about "fresh blood", which is ready to develop and does so, then it is abundant in Ukraine - our country is rich in young talented authors with great potential. It is important to tell and show young people how it is important not to lose talent and potential, and how it should be used. In a good sense of the word. We are actually creating a platform for young artists, where they can learn all this. Including, how not to be a "poor artist".

Your contest provides cash prizes for the winners. How do you think, how important is the financial encouragement for the participants? As we have a controversial attitude to the financial issue in many areas. This, on the one hand, is very important, but at the same time it's somehow inconvenient to speak about it, pretending that this is not so important.

B.: We established cash prizes in three nominations and, as a result, nine contestants will receive - three awards for each task. Plus, special prizes from our partners.

In fact, cash prize is a common practice for creative contests around the world - whether it is the USA or one of the European countries. But, I want to emphasize that cash prize is far from the most important thing. It is more important that the contest brings together the best of the best ones, so that the victory in it is considered to be prestigious and opens the way to real, successful career in art. To do this, young artists need a platform to be seen by gallery owners, art dealers, art historians, and profile media. For their first artworks to be published in the catalogue. For them to receive grants for educational programmes and master classes, invitations to exhibitions and auctions as winning awards. This is the very direction, we want to move and we are already moving, shaping and developing the contest concept.

But, for somebody, participation in contests is not only to "show his/her talent", but to "do better than someone, just to win". Life and creativity do not end at the contests, competing with someone and trying to win, a person can sometimes turn into a festival and contest artist who can only create within the limits of the given themes and deadlines, losing the individuality. How to deal with this?

N.B.: Creative adult elite of Ukraine, who comes to "Silver Easel", just can teach the younger generation of artists the correct perception of such events. Our programme includes not only the contest, we give the priority to the experience exchange, live communication, opportunity to learn how to perceive yourself and your own creativity as part of a single whole - the entire Ukrainian art market.

Judging by the experience of the last year, we manage to deliver these messages to the young authors, and they do not perceive the contest as a single short-term project, but understand that this is a great opportunity for them, a kind of jumping-off place. They know that their success depends not on participation and victories, but on hard work, and otherwise nothing will come of it.

What is important for you in the participants who apply for participation?

N.B.: For us, of course, the important thing is the participants’ talent, which allows to become a part of the contest for them. Also, important is the desire of young authors to work on themselves, to develop creative potential, to be open to art experiments and new knowledge.

Why such contests are still necessary? And is the functioning and development of art space possible without them?

R.B.: As Nataliya mentioned, such contests are an opportunity to prove oneself, to compare your level of mastery with peers and colleagues from other universities, to gain new experience and knowledge. And, it is also a chance to get acquainted with famous artists, gallery owners, art historians, learn something valuable and useful, get an objective and competent assessment of their creativity. This year the contest was supported by the leading institutions and figures of the modern art market of Ukraine, which agreed to become its partners. Among them: expert consultant on contemporary art and art dealer Igor Abramovych; auction house "Golden Section" and its co-founders Mykhailo and Oleksii Vasylenko; Maksym and Yuliia Voloshyn - Voloshyn Gallery; Kostiantyn Kozhemiaka and his Fund for Cultural Initiatives ArtHuss; Sky Art Foundation. Similar contest, where the same gallery owners, auctioneers, art dealers look at young talents and in the future invest in their development - a normal practice for the world art market. We gradually introduce such practice in Ukraine. We want to lay the right foundation, which will allow the Ukrainian art space to develop in a civilized manner. The path of a young artist to exhibitions, auctions, and collectors without participation in such contests is possible, of course, but it often turns out to be longer and thornier.

25.04.2017
© Stacy Vorozhko, CHERNOZEM
https://chernozem.info/journal/robert-i-nataliya-brovdi-sribniy-molbert-eto-proekt-kotoryy-sotvorit-nekiy-perelom-v-ukrainskom-molodom-art-soobschestve/