True art in times of trial becomes not only a form of self-expression but also a powerful tool for understanding reality, transforming pain into symbols of resilience. On April 11, 2026, the opening of the "War and Us" exhibition took place—a landmark cultural initiative where contemporary wartime experience found its embodiment in visual images that strike with their depth and emotional honesty. The central event of the exposition was the presentation of artworks by a representative of our department—Associate Professor of the Department of Performing Arts and Culture at KNUTD, PhD in Cultural Studies Kateryna Dannyk, presented in a creative tandem with Yurii Plesiuk.
The exposition reveals the complex emotional dimensions of modernity, combining the authors' personal reflections with metaphorical images of loss and rebirth. The visual dominant of the project was the piercing image of a wounded bird entangled in barbed wire – a symbol of vulnerability that simultaneously embodies the indomitability of the spirit. This motif sets the general dramatic tone of the exhibition, turning each work into a space for the viewer's dialogue with their own memory and experience. The event was implemented in cooperation with the Kyiv International University and the Parajanov Museum with the support of public organizations involved in the development of cultural diplomacy and support for the military.
The atmosphere of the opening was emphasized as intimate, which contributed to sincere communication and direct discussion of the raised themes. A symbolic accent of the event was the act of gifting a pomegranate – an ancient symbol of life and rebirth, which in the context of the exhibition was interpreted as a sign of faith in recovery and the preservation of cultural memory. The curator of the exhibition, Olena Ohanesian, managed to form a cohesive intellectual space where art appears as a living tool for overcoming the challenges of modernity.
Kateryna Dannyk’s participation in a project of such scale once again emphasizes the active involvement of the faculty of the Department of Performing Arts and Culture in the development of the current artistic process in Ukraine. We are proud that our educators not only pass on knowledge to students but also act as ambassadors of socially important initiatives, where art serves as a reliable foundation for preserving our national identity and resilience.
08.05.2026
