Yana Verba: Movement
January 18 - March 27, 2023
Town Hall Theatre Gallery
Exhibition Statement
To Dance? Is this to fill a void?
Or will it silence the essence of a cry?
It is the life of our rapid
Shooting stars captured in slow motion - Rainer Maria Rilke
Movement is life, the energy that spins us around the sun. How can you keep moving, dancing, and celebrating life despite the horror and destruction of war? Dance as resistance. The viewers are invited to look back at Modern Kyiv. Modern Kyiv hundred years ago, despite political difficulties, was the Ukrainian capital of arts, theater, and literature. These series of paintings are inspired by Vadym Meller’s costumes sketches that he created in Kyiv for Bronislava Nijinska’s dance school, “School of Movement,” between 1919-1921.
Meller is known as one of the most important Ukrainian artists, stage and costume designers of the 20th century. He worked worldwide and for Esker’s studio, Les Kurbas’ Berezil Theater and Nijinska’s school. Bronislava Nijinska was a sister of the pioneer of modern dance Vaslav Nijinski. She was just as talented an innovative dancer and choreographer, but only recently has she gotten recognition and been rewritten into history. Nijinska opened a School of Movement in Kyiv in 1919. Because of the Ukrainian-Soviet War the school existed only for a few years (until 1921), before Nijinska moved to Paris. She died in 1972, having finished her life and career in Los Angeles, California.
By looking back in time, I hope the viewer can make a connection to our time, when Ukraine is fighting the Russian invasion that is trying to erase the Ukrainian people. Our culture, our songs, our spirit, and our love for life and freedom will never be erased. People are singing Ukrainian folk songs while sheltering from bombs in the Kyiv subway. Ukrainian youth are getting together to dance, clean up the ruins, and restore communities. Although the war has forced people to move the theatre into the bunkers, Ukrainian arts are still thriving.
Please DM for inquiry at www.yanaverba.com All proceeds are going to Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine.