"The Sun Rises in the West"

Illustration

Title: “The Sun Rises in the West”  When: August 1 – September 8, 2024
Where: Palace of Culture of Metallurgists (7 Metalurhiv Ave, Kryvyi Rih)

"The Sun Rises in the West": an art project by the Kryvyi Rih Cultural Centre / KRCC and ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih reshapes perceptions of senior citizens and their role in society.
The project, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine's largest mining and metallurgical enterprise, aims to honor the individuals who have worked at this company for many years, contributing significantly to the development of the country, the region, and the world.
The idea for the project arose from a desire to emphasize the importance of older individuals’ contributions to society and to show that they continue to influence and shape it today. Additionally, the project aims to create a platform for creative interaction across generations to ensure the continuity of cultural and artistic development, while fostering the growth and communication of the Kryvyi Rih art community.
Work on the project has begun, with artists already visiting the ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih company museum, where they had the opportunity to explore the history of the company's establishment and development.

"The Sun Rises in the West" is an important project that brings together artists, the city, with its industrial power, and the experience of individuals whose years of service exceed my own age. I am interested in the dialogue between art and the social dimension. This project is inclusive, providing an opportunity to hear the stories of veteran workers from Kryvorizhstal and to capture them through creative expression. In my case, it’s collage work, and I want to involve as many people as possible in its creation. This project is about Kryvyi Rih and everything our region is rich in. It’s not only about ore deposits; it’s about people and vibrant interaction.

Commented by project participant, artist Kseniya Kostyanets.

Meeting with labor veterans, July 11, 2024. Photo by Anna Balvas.

The first meeting with labor veterans also took place. Project participants had the opportunity to get acquainted, explore each other's experiences, and identify directions for artistic collaboration.

"It is incredibly valuable that our city now has a team of specialists dedicated to developing culture, creating profound projects about the city and its people. They provide artists with opportunities to express themselves, participate, and collaborate with curators from across Ukraine, exchanging experiences and learning something new."

Commented by project participant, artist Nastya Eh.

The project involves artists and veterans of ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih. The result of their work will be collaborative art pieces filled with a human-centered understanding of the city, its history, destiny, and possible visions for the future.

The artists participating in the "The Sun Rises in the West" project are Anatoliy Andrjeevsky, Olena Dzhurina, Nastya Eh, Oksana Zharun, and Kseniya Kostyanets.

"The 20th century stigmatized retirees as people no longer actively involved in shaping the economy. On the other hand, consumer society fetishized youth as the embodiment of market competitiveness and individual value. Yet, the digital era, with its social networks, gives a voice to everyone, breaking past hierarchies and elevating individuals beyond the devaluing status of market resources. These changes fuel a global wave of emancipation for various marginalized groups, making them more visible and, in turn, prompting society to recognize their potential. This phenomenon, often termed 'the new ethics,' addresses issues like ageism.

Russia's war against Ukraine challenges our solidarity, our ability to see and hear one another. In times when everyone’s life is under threat, the experience, creativity, and vision of each person become especially valuable. From the memories of individuals, the history of a city and a country is woven. This is why we propose a project—a dialogue between artists and labor veterans."

Kostiantyn Doroshenko, project curator.

The opening of the exhibition "The Sun Rises in the West" will take place on August 1 at 17:00 at the Palace of Culture of Metallurgists (7 Metalurhiv Ave, Kryvyi Rih).
The exhibition will run until September 8, 2024.

Press room

Kostiantyn Doroshenko is a Ukrainian critic, publicist, journalist, and curator of art projects in Ukraine, the USA, China, Montenegro, and Kyrgyzstan. He is a member of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA) and the author of books on culture and society, including Kyiv Time. He is also a guest expert on the PinchukArtCentre's Research Platform and the author and host of the podcast *Culture of Everything*.

ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih is Ukraine's largest mining and metallurgical enterprise with a full production cycle and is part of the international ArcelorMittal corporation, the largest foreign investor in Ukraine. ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih specializes in producing long products, including rebar, wire rod, profile steel, angles, strips, and billets.

Kryvyi Rih Cultural Centre / KRCC is a civic initiative aimed at developing culture, art, and creative industries in Kryvyi Rih. The center’s mission is to nurture the cultural potential of Kryvyi Rih by creating a stimulating environment for the creative industries through the KRCC institution's activities.

Photo: Daria Kolomiets.

About the exhibition "The Sun Rises in the West"

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