Through artistic diplomacy to political diplomacy – this is how you can outline the result of today’s meeting between the mayor of Lviv Andriy Sadovoy and Alexander Zaklinsky, an Icelandic-Ukrainian artist of American origin.
Alexander came to Lviv to offer to support the idea of opening an artistic residence in Reykjavík for cultural exchange between artists. To help implement such an initiative, Andriy Sadovy will prepare a corresponding letter to the mayor of the capital of Iceland.
“I have ancient Ukrainian roots on my father’s side. That is why I have a great sympathy for Ukraine and now I work in Reykjavík, creating various galleries and residence projects to support Ukrainians, in particular after the invasion of Russia. Unfortunately, most Ukrainians have nowhere to turn for help, because there is no Ukrainian consulate or embassy in Iceland, instead there is a large Russian one. It’s not fair. Therefore, the idea arose to open a kind of artistic consulate, where artists from Ukraine, in particular from Lviv, would come and convey knowledge about Ukraine to the Irish. So that Lviv and Reykjavik become sister cities and coexist in the same artistic circle,” says Alexander Zaklynskyi.
“The idea is very good and very timely. You can count on my support and help. For my part, I will send a letter to the mayor of Reykjavík regarding assistance in the implementation of this plan. With great pleasure, I will come to you, to this residence, after our victory”, – emphasized the mayor of Lviv Andriy Sadovy.
The Lviv Municipal Art Center is involved in the realization of the idea. The exchange of artists between Reykjavík and Lviv will begin next year.
“We will work on creating a kind of artistic embassy of Ukraine in Iceland,” added Liana Mytsko, director of the Lviv Municipal Art Center.
certificate
Alexander Zaklynskyi is an Icelandic-Ukrainian artist of American origin. Born in 1978.
Projects
2017 – an initiative of the Moon Gallery ESA/ESTEC – ILEWG, NL. The Moon Gallery is an international collaborative artwork and gallery of ideas for the moon. Moon Gallery intends to launch 100 artifacts to the Moon in a compact 10 x 10 x 1 cm plate format on the outer panel of the lunar lander.
2007 – founder and initiator of Lost Horse Gallery. The artistic project space and exhibition center operated from 2007 to 2013.
Artists4Ukraine is an official charity organization in Iceland that contributes to the capacity building of the charity’s goals and mission to support and promote Ukrainian artists, art and culture.
Artists4Ukraine started its activities in the first days after the invasion of Ukraine. Swedish-born artist Julia May Linnea Maria proposed to start an art auction to raise funds for Ukraine. Alexander Zaklinskyi took the opportunity to help. Since then, they have organized Artists4Ukraine, a fundraising initiative for artists. The task is to create a place where artists could donate and sell their works to support many organizations that need help in Ukraine.
This turned into a collaboration with Bio Paradis, which shows Ukrainian films, the proceeds from the sale of tickets for viewing of which go to charitable organizations working in Ukraine. They also develop a program of Ukrainian cinema and art exhibitions for Ukraine.