CreArt ARTIST IN RESIDENCE IN REGENSBURG 2024
The artists who came to Regensburg, Germany, as part of the European wide project CreArt3.0 for an Artist in Residence program had the opportunity to present their works in a small window gallery. The gallery's name, "neunkubikmeter" (nine cubic meters), says it all, as it reflects the size of the exhibition space. The artists who participated in the project in Regensburg were Olesia Saienko from Ukraine, Oliver Musovik from North Macedonia, and Vitalii Shupliak also from Ukraine.
The work of the Ukrainian photographer and visual artist Olesia Saienko (Lutsk, 1995) investigates the intersection of personal history and collective memory. Drawing on archival materials and family narratives, her art confronts the traumas of the Soviet regime and its enduring impact on contemporary generations. Saienko graduated from the Kiew National University of Culture and Arts in the field of psychology. After that she specialized in photography and has since exhibited her work across Ukraine and internationally. Her practice is rooted in themes of historical erasure, generational memory, and the resilience of cultural identity.
Saienko’s photographic approach often contrasts archival images with modern portraits, creating compelling visual narratives that bridge the past and present. Her use of layering techniques, such as overlaying archival photographs with translucent paper, metaphorically represents the fading yet persistent presence of historical memory in today’s world.
For her residency in Regensburg, Saienko presents On the Repressed at the "neunkubikmeter" gallery. This exhibition sheds light on the untold stories of individuals who fell victim to the Soviet regime, including Saienko’s own great-great-grandfather, Petro Rykhlinskyi, who was executed in 1941 under baseless accusations. By pairing archival photos of repressed individuals from Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland with portraits of their descendants, Saienko creates poignant diptychs that emphasize the lasting legacy of these tragedies. The exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the need to preserve and honor memories of the past, challenging viewers to confront the fragility of historical truth and the importance of remembrance in the face of time and erasure.
Oliver Musovik, a celebrated artist from Skopje, North Macedonia, brings his thought-provoking exhibition Understory to Regensburg's unique "neunkubikmeter" gallery. Known for his exploration of the interplay between urban spaces and nature, Musovik continues his long-term project Ruderal Herbarium in this historic city. Drawing inspiration from the works of Gilles Clément, Musovik examines how nature reclaims forgotten urban corners, using a mix of photography, descriptive texts, videos, and field research.
His residence project Understory, a nod to Richard Powers' book The Overstory, invites viewers to reflect on the quiet resilience of nature amidst urbanization. Regensburg’s blend of medieval and modern architecture serves as the perfect backdrop for Musovik's lens, capturing moments where greenery encroaches on man-made structures. His prior work, such as Overgrown (2023), underlines a critical dialogue on the human-nature relationship within cityscapes.
Born in 1971, Musovik has showcased his art in over 20 solo exhibitions worldwide and is part of prominent public collections like the Museum of Contemporary Art in Skopje. With international acclaim and a pivotal role in Skopje’s designation as the European Capital of Culture 2028, Musovik remains a vital voice in contemporary art.
Vitalii Shupliak (Lviv, 1993) is a Ukrainian artist who works with a variety of artistic media, including video installations, reverse glass painting, and performance art. His work often examines the intersections of migration, identity, and borders, blending traditional techniques with contemporary themes. Shupliak graduated from the Lviv National Academy of Arts before pursuing further studies at the University of the Arts in Poznań and the Braunschweig University of Art. His artistic achievements include notable awards such as the "Kunst+Stahl" prize in 2024 and the “FilmFestSpezial” prize in 2018. His work has been exhibited in solo and group shows across Europe, with recent highlights including Wearing Out Trousers in Kiew and participation in Berlin’s “48h Neukölln” Festival.
In his work, Shupliak often explores the relationship between digital and physical realities, creating art that challenge perceptions and invite self-reflection. He uses innovative techniques, such as incorporating smartphone objects and mirror installations, to comment on the fragmentation of consciousness and the pervasive influence of digital media on contemporary life.
For his residency in Regensburg, Shupliak presents the exhibition Periscope at the "neunkubikmeter" gallery. This project investigates the influence of social media and digital technologies on our understanding of reality. Inspired by the metaphor of a periscope, an observational device that suggests both distance and surveillance, the exhibition raises questions about the tension between privacy and transparency in a digital age. Using a combination of reverse glass painting and modern visual elements, Shupliak highlights themes of isolation, control, and the manipulation of information, encouraging viewers to critically reflect on their role in a hyperconnected society.
Pictures
Pictures Olesia Saienko:
On the repressed_1.png (Credit: Kulturamt Stadt Regensburg)
exhibition_Olesia Saienko.JPG (Credit: Kulturamt Stadt Regensburg)
Pictures Oliver Musovik:
Oliver Musovik.jpg (Credit: Kulturamt Stadt Regensburg, Carolin Binder)
Oliver Musovik_Overgrown_Cars.jpg (Credit: Oliver Musovik)
Pictures Vitalii Shupliak:
01_Vitalii Shupliak_Photo by Simone Bühler_2024_web.jpg (Credit: Kulturamt Stadt Regensburg, Simone Bühler)
Vitalii Shupliak_Firewall_Square.jpg (Credit: Vitalii Shupliak)
Photo gallery
Return to CreArt News
