Caricature vs. censure
Kherson library bans an exhibit of international competition because of intolerance
For several years a Kherson artist, organizer of the international festival of art “Hohol-fantasy” Valerii Kruhov has been initiating competitions of caricatures. During the revolutionary events at Maidan he united his colleagues around this idea, showing with the help of paints and brushes the struggle of Ukrainians against the usurpation of power by ex-president Yanukovych and civilization movement towards Europe. At that time people from 30 countries of the world decided to take part in the competition called “Ukrainian choice. Ukraine – the European Union.” Top 100 best works have been included in the summary catalog and shown in separate expositions in Rivne, Poltava, and Bulgarian city Gabrovo.
The next competition of caricatures “Diabolic gas station” was a response to the annexation of Crimea by Russia and military intervention in the Donbas. Artists from 26 countries dedicated their works to this important topic. The participants and members of jury included Russians who agreed to take part in spite of the pressure exerted on workers of culture (the competition was called fascist in Russia).
Last week an exhibit of the best works from both competitions was supposed to be opened in Kherson Oblast Universal Scientific Library named after Oles Honchar. However, several days before the event, when the placards were already printed and guests were invited, it was forbidden to showcase the caricatures. The head of the information center of the library Mykola Kosheliuk explained this decision by the fact that the exhibit is intolerant.
WORK BY MYKOLA KAPUSTA, UKRAINE
The stand of the library is quite surprising. While Russia is leading a foul war against Ukraine, an educational-cultural facility censors a satirical exhibit targeted against the aggressor. Notably, the author has been coming to the library with this proposal since May. What is this? Lack of patriotism or lack of humor? Maybe, the administration is afraid that if the power changes they will have to pay dearly for an excessive love to Ukraine? Unfortunately, disappointment in certain representatives of local intelligentsia has become a frequent phenomenon.
However, the organizer of the exhibit Valerii Kruhov does not feel distressed about this fact. The artist notes that the most important thing is that caricature as a genre continues to develop, and most of his fellow artists who took part in the competition gave a correct evaluation of the latest events in Ukraine.
“It has happened to me when the editorial office of a newspaper paid me for sketches, but didn’t publish them. Probably, they were afraid of insulting some higher authorities which could become mad at the publication. This is the mentality. However caricature envisages an ability to see some flaws and laugh at them. This is a normal thing,” Valerii Kruhov commented to The Day. “Our two latest projects have been the largest recently. When the revolution began, I decided that we would hold competitions for each of its stages. We had an integral picture of perception of the protests in Ukraine, because local authors saw it from inside, whereas the foreigners – from the outside. It was pleasant to understand that most of the artists understood who was fighting and for what. We are unable to resist Russian propaganda with money. But we can use our talent, the truth, interesting and sharp works to do this. On August 15 the competition ‘Diabolic gas station’ began. I am glad that the jury which included representatives of eight countries recognized the work of our artist from Poltava Andrii Levchenko as the best. As for the situation with the exhibit in Kherson, I’m not offended, but it is a pity that people won’t see the works. They told me in May that the situation was unstable and offered to postpone the exhibit. Six months later we came to an agreement, but now it is a refusal again. I get convinced for another time that characters from Hohol’s works are living among us.”
P.S. In a commentary to The Day regarding the ban of the exhibit the head of the department of culture of Kherson Oblast State Administration Viktor Havryliuk promised that the exposition in Kherson will take place. Time and place will be coordinated with the organizer.
