257 pieces by Daniel Chodowiecki are part of the Kharkiv Art Museum collection debuting in Kyiv this month. The painter of Polish origin worked among German elite in the epoch of Enlightenment. Following the spirit of his time, he created paintings affirming intellectual and moral values. Sophisticated in technique and naïve in plots, they represent German Realism. The show in Kyiv displays several series where Chodowiecki reflects on the habits of burghers and aristocrats, and illustrates texts by Voltaire, Rousseau, Beaumarchais and Lesage that were popular in his time. His realistic pieces are interpretations of the traditional dance macabre – dance of death – genre. Skeletons appear to take life from a king, a scientist, a prostitute and a pauper. Each piece will fit on a hand palm so you would have to get real close to see the details.
The public will have a chance to see 10 works by American painter Rockwell Kent stored in the backrooms of the Khanenko Museum in Kyiv for fifty years. Pure colours and geometric shapes, authentic peace of landscapes and philosophic compositions – Kent’s artistic and personal life had much in common with a well-known painter and theosophist, Nicholas Roerich. Both traveled to unseen countries and lived with aboriginals untouched by civilization. Both viewerd landscapes as expression of the transcendent. Kent visited Greenland, Alaska, Tierra del Fuego and Northern states of America. His paintings portray the grandeur of this exotic nature. Kent was interested in many things apart from painting. He was also a writer, sculptor, architect, activist, adventure seeker and anthropologist to a certain extent.
Both exhibitions are at the Khanenko Museum at 15/17, vul. Tereshchenkivska, in front of the Taras Shevchenko park.
Daniel Chodowiecki’s works are displayed through October 20.
20 September, 7 p.m.
Jamala
Green Theatre
(2, Parkova Doroha, Kyiv)
The singer’s fans and those who appreciate good music will have a unique opportunity to enjoy songs from Jamala’s latest album, All or Nothing. It includes twelve tracks: eleven original songs and a beautiful Crimean Tatar folksong, Unutmasan. New vivid melodies, in combination with the incredible charisma and powerful vocals of the singer, will make the evening of live music unforgettable. In addition to songs from the new album, Jamala will be singing her well-known hits – Smile, It’s Me Jamala, You’re Made Of Love and more.
20 September 8 p.m.
Z.OrangeDay
Sam’s Steak House
(56, vul. Radyanska, Luhansk)
Daring improvisations, sound experiments and the best jazz bands of Luhansk – guests of the 10th Z.OrangeDay jazz festival can expect all this and more. The atmosphere of this year’s festival will be set by the Michael Zuyev Group, Keep A Talk, Dagro and Friend’s and the fans of old-jazz – Jazz&Son’s. Jazzmen from Russia and Serbia will perform at Z.OrangeDay as special guests. Jam-sessions, which have now become a traditional element of the festival, will take place before and after the concert. A charge of positive and good energy is guaranteed on this autumn evening.
21 September, 8:30 p.m.
Marinita (Ukraine-USA-Azerbaijan)
Atmasfera 360
(57/3, vul. Velyka Vasylkivska, Kyiv)
The multi-national band Marinita will be performing on the capital’s stage within the framework of the Art of Tolerance campaign. Renowned American bassist Teymur Phell, Ukrainian vocalist Marinita and Azerbaijani percussionist Orhan Agabeyli will give a concert not only to offer the audience some good music, but also in protest against xenophobia and discrimination in Ukraine. The ideal intonation of Marinita’s singing invigorates the music, while the harmonious vibration of the instruments adds exotic and powerful ethnic overtones. This is what creates the depth of the band’s performances – hard to explain, but easy to feel.
25 September, 7 p.m.
Erisioni
International Centre for Culture and Arts
(1, vul. Instytutska, Kyiv)
The legendary Georgian academic ensemble is visiting Ukraine once more. It will present the public with one of the most large-scale, ethnic style shows. With the help of national songs and dances, the artists demonstrate samples of folklore from the whole of Georgia. By changing their costumes and shifting to different zones of temperament of the Georgian people, they also paint an image of the Georgian spirit. The ensemble’s performances are acclaimed as all-encompassing, while the troupe itself – as a “folklore museum”. And no wonder, the creative activity of the ensemble has continued for more than 100 years now.
From 26 September
Manhattan Short Film Festival
Kyiv Cinema
(19, vul. Velyka Vasylkivska, Kyiv)
One of the major short film festivals will traditionally present a selection of ten best films-finalists, which were chosen from the 600 applications received from 48 countries of the world. The worldwide battle of directors – this is how the festival is actually referred to. This year’s programme includes short films from France, England, Finland, Australia, the USA and Ireland. The range of subjects addressed covers the most diverse facets of people’s lives – from a love affair in No Comments and family tragedy in Friday to portraits of Moscow, Pakistan and Quebec through the eyes of travellers in Portraits de Voyages.
28 September, 7 p.m.
Okean Elzy
Palats Sportu (Palace of Sports)
(1, Sportyvna Ploshcha, Kyiv)
The rock group’s large-scale stadium tour to promote its new album will culminate with a resonant concert in the capital. The tour began in May with a performance at the Spartak Stadium in Mukachevo, Zakarpattia. In all, the band performed in 27 cities of Ukraine. They are planning a world tour in the future, to promote their album of twelve tracks. New hits, especially Strilyay (Shoot), Z Neyu (With Her), Na Nebi (In Heaven) and others, quickly found favour with their fans, while the album itself was well-received by both Ukrainian and foreign music critics.
