Ukraine. the Residence of Freedom Latvia 2023 🇺🇦 🇦🇹

Artists
Supported
the Project

Ukrainian Latvian

Astaforov Ievgen

Photographer

Astaforov Ievgen

"Freedom is when you do not feel any constraints"

Ievgen specializes in private, wedding, celebratory, and reportage photoshoots.
For the Ukraine. Residence of Freedom art event, he conducted a photoshoot of the dance performance “Presence”.

Yaroslav Y:K

Music Producer, DJ

Yaroslav Y:K

Y:K is a resident of the Ukrainian label UA House Records, a remix artist, and a participant in large-scale events and trendy Ukrainian festivals. Expertly blending different genres, Y:K creates unpredictable musical landscapes that leave listeners with a unique impression. The composition for the Residence of Freedom project marks his debut work produced in this genre.

"Ukraine is a land of resilient individuals who will never falter in the face of challenges, as it holds true patriots and dreamers at its core, who will always stand side by side and support it on its journey to new heights."

He described his musical work for the residence as follows:

The morning chirping of birds is interrupted by the sound of sirens – an air alarm signal, combined with a racing heartbeat, symbolizing sudden shock and uncertainty.

The siren’s voice transforms into the sounds of an air attack on Kyiv, October 17, 2022, when one of the first enemy drone raids awakened the capital in the morning and targeted the central part of the city.

The dynamic part of the composition is interrupted by the sound of the air alarm’s end, giving hope for the continuation of life, in today’s realities.

Andriy Baglay

Video Artist

Andriy Baglay

Andriy Baglay wants that people over the world to hear Ukraine through his arts.

https://andriybaglay.webflow.io/

"Freedom means Ukraine and it's people"

His works: Acedia (short movie), Memoria (short movie), Tatarka Dreaming (short movie).

Katya Bondarets

Collage artist

Katya Bondarets

Katya is collage artist and make the upcycling in art.
She takes pride in finding the strength to create during times of war. Her series of works titled “Rebirth” have become a source of support for people in many corners of the world, uplifting their spirits and instilling faith in a brighter future for Ukraine.
Katya have received recognition with a group exhibition featured in The Washington Post.
Bondarets is proud of the individuals who continue to support art even during times of conflict.

"Freedom allows for personal development, living according to one's beliefs, but freedom is beautiful when the freedom of others is respected, legal norms are upheld, and you have respect for human life."

Yurasov Vitalii

Photographer

Yurasov Vitalii

Vitalii proud to be able to directly cooperate with Armed Forces of Ukraine, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Security Service of Ukraine, State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, and other services that defend me and my country.

"Freedom is the ability to choose options for events. The ability to influence your own future"

Mariana Shafro

Portrait, fashion photographer

Mariana Shafro

Published in Vogue, Elle, L’Officiel, Forbes and more.

"Freedom is Ukraine, nature, people, values, feeling safe."

Kateryna Vyshneva

Actress

Kateryna Vyshneva

Ekaterina Vishnyovaya was born on 23 January 1986 in Krivoy Rog, Ukraine, USSR. She is an actress, known for Соседка (2022), Ex (2007) and Vtoraya zhizn Evy (2017).

MONOCONDA

Musician

MONOCONDA

Oleksandr Filonenko aka Monoconda is a Kyiv based multi-instrumentalist music composer, sound producer and a live performer. Oleksandr have made music for such brands ads like McDonalds, MasterCard, Vodafone, Puma and so on, working with top advertising agencies around the world. Then, in 2019 he started to release his own electronic music under the moniker Monoconda with an album called Alphabet which was then performed live at a Brave Factory festival. Monoconda then played live sets at Closer, Rhythm Buro Natura, Black Factory Festival, Alte Munze Berlin, The Basement Yerevan and many others around Europe. And you won’t find two similar sets among them cause for him the music and it’s performance as well, is an exploration and a research full of discoveries. His second release, Low Light was recorded during the pandemic isolation and was named as one of the best records of the year by top Ukrainian musical journalists. In 2022 the Identity release came out at Kyiv based label Kashtan and was featured on Mixmag London and Ransom Note. Then Monoconda came up with the Horizon LP, which was also released on vinyl. His music is a meeting of IDM, electronica, dub-techno, experimental and ambient.

"Freedom is an ability to act or think with no hindrance or restraints."

Olha Lebedieva

Digital artists

Olha Lebedieva

"Ability to live life your way with people you choose."

Memoria, Album cover artworks for YUVI and Rhythm Büro label, Interactive installation for Ukrainian Cultural Foundation, Audio-reactive visualization for Hidden Element’s live performance

Dobrinya Ivanov

Research based artist

Dobrinya Ivanov

"Meadow"

Projects:

Autonomous Republic Borshagivka

Hope

2023 series

collaboration work with DeNeDe

Yurii Kovryzhenko

Chef

Yurii Kovryzhenko

Yurii is an ambassador for Ukrainian cuisine.

”Freedom is the essential thing for every Ukrainian, which is given with mother's milk. Ukrainians are the fearless people in the world when someone tries to break their freedom.”

Raised more than £500 000 for Ukraine in 2022 thanks to charity dinners-collaborations with: Jamie Oliver; Michelin-starred chefs James Atherton, Tom Brown, Tom Kitchin, Tom Sellers; 1000-guests dinner with Richard Korrigan etc. Co-founded Mriya, Ukrainian Neo Bistro in London and staffed it by Ukrainian refugees.

Daria Kalashnikova

Contemporary artist

Daria Kalashnikova

Daria Kalashnikova is a contemporary Ukrainian artist and writer. She is a multi-media artist, writer, speaker, and activist. Daria was born in 1989 in Luhansk, Ukraine where in 2013 became one of the co-organizers of the Euromaidan protests. Due to the occupation of Luhansk in 2014, she was forced to move to Kyiv and became an IDP (internally displaced person).

”Freeform is a gain with a taste of salt. The salt from the tears of those grieving for its loss. The salt from the sweat of those who fight for it every day The salt of tears of those who mourn for its defenders. Every body has the salt of freedom, just as every nation has its history of gaining freedom. But only Ukrainians, with their actions, made this salt crystal clear to others.”

Her conceptual visual artworks devoted to the ongoing war in Ukraine were selected in 2022 for the Biennale in North Macedonia and the online gallery Brave.ua. In October 2022 Kalashnikova held her solo painting exhibition “Traits of Tireless Freedom.”
Daria Kalashnikova writes prose and poetry. Her essays are published in Latvia in Punctum magazine, while in autumn 2023 her novel “Reality Show” is to be released in Latvian.
Recently she represented Ukraine at the festival LAMPA and hosted the screening of the film “Oh, sister!” organized by the Nobel Women Initiative in Latvia.

Taras Haida

Digital collage artist

Taras Haida

Haida is a talented artist skilled in both oil painting and digital collages. His artistic endeavors primarily revolve around delving deep into his own subconscious.

"Freedom it is a journey to the core of human identity, where the questions "Who am I?" and "How do I want to live?" become fundamental."

Taras wants to share the concept concept of freedom from the representative of the country where this freedom is encroached upon.

2023 – collective project “Stolen Sky” at the Robey Hall. Chicago. USA.
2023 – collective project “Ukraine is like an aquarium in the sea” at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. Chicago. USA. 2023 – collective project “Path of Resistance”. Atlanta. USA.
2022 – collective project “Frontier of the Memories” at the Taiwan Annual. Taiwan. China.
2021 – collective project of young art “Bohemian Art Corner”. Kyiv. Ukraine.
2021 – participation in a group exhibition project within the Kurazh festival. Kyiv, Ukraine.
2021 – collective project “Verbalisation” at the Modern Art Research Institute. Kyiv. Ukraine.
2021 – “Frequency” personal project at the Chocolate House Art Centre. Kyiv. Ukraine.
2020 – “Essence” personal project in Sova Space. Lviv. Ukraine.
2020 – personal project at “Bohemian Art Corner”. Kyiv. Ukraine.
2019 – collective project of young art “Insights” at Spivakovska ART: EGO gallery. Kyiv. Ukraine.
2019 – “Mimicry” personal exhibition at the Museum of Ideas. Lviv. Ukraine.

ASAKI

Intermedia artist

ASAKI

ASAKI is surrealist and intermedia artist.

"Art is my FREEDOM of thought. This is my rebellion against the ABSURDITY of the world."

«The Chronicle of Betrayal – Artistic Positions on Kleist», Kleist Museum / Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, 2023. During the exhibition I’m presenting installation created through embroidery with red threads on a large canvases. The works are placed in the museum’s garden and resemble hanging laundry.

Solo exhibition «(not) your concern», W*rkspace / Berlin, Germany, 2023. I transformed my war experience into an exhibition, within which i created a large-scale performative installation.

2023 | «The Chronicle of Betrayal – Artistic Positions on Kleist», Kleist Museum / Frankfurt (Oder), Germany

2023 | solo exhibition «(not) your concern», W*rkspace / Berlin, Germany

2022 | «Connected art», Z&H art studio / Warsaw, Poland

2022 | «Rundgang», Weißensee Kunsthochschule / Berlin, Germany

2022 | «Supernova. Art of Ukraine», Basel Art Center / Basel, Switzerland

2022 | «The world as we remember it», PAS / Berlin, Germany

2022 | «Motherland Ukraine», Zeitgeist Zentrum / Berlin, Germany 2022 | Charity exhibition of Ukrainian art, SLP Galerie / Berlin, Germany

2022 | “”I – the world revolves around me””, M.A.D.S art gallery / Milan, Italy & Fuerteventura, Canaries Islas

2022 | Metaverse, digital art exhibition, M.A.D.S art gallery

2021 | “MFM. Post-graduation”, center of contemporary art White World / Kyiv, Ukraine

2021 | “The Colors of Parajanov”, Ivan Kavaleridze Museum-studio / Kyiv, Ukraine

2020 | “Art saved live” street art festival, Lavra gallery / Kyiv, Ukraine 2019 | solo exhibition “Arrow whisper”, Vagabond / Kyiv, Ukraine

Mila Cheprasova

Multimedia artist

Mila Cheprasova

Cheprasova work with media: collage, graphics, mixed media, video, performance, installation.
Depending on the concept, her feelings and the external conditions of creating the work, she can combine the following materials in mixed media, such as canvas, textile, watercolor paper, cardboard, photo, acrylic paint and markers, pastel chalk, watercolors, gel pen, threads. Also, Mila is currently studying various embroidery techniques and carpet embroidery.

Her work revolves around themes of ecological interaction with oneself and other people, namely: personal boundaries, overcoming inferiority, dignity, and conscious existence. These themes were influenced by childhood psychological traumas. The focus of her artistic practice is the emotional maturity of an individual.

"Each person must start from within themselves, as emotional self-sufficiency enables ecological interaction with oneself and society."

Mila Cheprasova to have participated in a collective project at the National Museum of the Holodomor last year. Her ancestors also suffered from the Soviet regime, so this is personally and important to her.

Mila is proud of personal exhibitions as:
One life, 2022, project-cafe, Chernihiv, Ukraine
Slum, 2021, art bar “Angar”, Kyiv, Ukraine

She also is part of many collective exhibitions as:
2023
Freedom index / dualism of freedom, The Second Contemporary Collage Festival CUTOUT, Kyiv, Ukraine, Paris, France
Children of Doctor Frankenstein, White World gallery, Kyiv, Ukraine
Genesis of Being, Gunpowder Tower, Center for Architecture, Design and Urbanism, Lviv, Ukraine
Hi, it’s me, Warsaw, Poland
Me and War, Kyiv History Museum, Kyiv, Ukraine

2022
Parallels, the exhibition is dedicated to the memory of the Holodomor victims, National Holodomor-Genocide Museum, Kyiv, Ukraine and Ukrainian Cultural Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
Planet love 3.0, Imaguru club, Madrid, Spain
Genesis of Being, Beyond Limits Gallery, Berlin, Germany
Project “Indestructible Wall” as part of the exhibition “Supernova. Art of Ukraine”, Basel Art Centre, Basel, Switzerland
«KAOS» IV International Collage Festival, Mergenthaler Gallery, Kranj, Slovenia

2021
Sunny mood, Museum of I.P. Kavaleridze, Kyiv, Ukraine
Art as life, life as art, National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine

2020
Hour 0, Modern Art Research Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine
Wonderland, Modern Art Research Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine

Yuliia Smal

Abstract paintner

Yuliia Smal

Abstract watercolor painting, using the author’s gluing technique in a large format.

”Freedom is always a fresh perspective on the world that expands the framework.”

Yuliia presented her paintings on:

2022 – UAbrave_Paris, c. Paris, France.
2022 – Google maps, Canada, digital project.

Alex Verkhovska

Multidisciplinary artist

Alex Verkhovska

At present, her medium of expression is textiles.

”The most important thing to do in dark times is to continue to find the light within yourself and share it generously.”

Alex is proud of the “Price of Freedom” project. This is a series of dresses, each of which contains a lot of pain, which, unfortunately, has become the present for Ukrainians. This series was included in the book “Emerging art in Ukraine” and now went to an exhibition in Denmark

Ganna Bogachuk

Visual artist

Ganna Bogachuk

Bogachuk is discovering Ukrainian ethnic visual codes, folk art and traditional culture, trying to rethink and combine them with contemporary context. The ethical theme is the red line through all her artworks.
Usually she work with traditional materials such as linen, oil paintings and charcoal, but in the latest project she’s experimenting with textile, transparency and multilayer combined with oil painting.

”Freedom is a right to be yourself in any desired way.”

In 2022, Ganna’s solo project “Red” was presented in Kaunas as a part of Kaunas – European Capital of Culture 2022 project and in Kyiv, Ukraine in Avangarden gallery. “Red” was an artistic research of red color as a key color in Ukrainian traditional culture.

During 2022-2023 Ganna took part in various group exhibitions in London, Berlin, Vilnius, Hamburg, Seattle etc.

At present, her project “Memoria” which discovers collective memory as a social phenomenon through the prism of individual remembrances, received a grant from the Open Lithuania Foundation.

Raitis Hrolovičs

Artist

Raitis Hrolovičs

Raitis Hrolovičš is an artist and art teacher. Why he creates art objects is closely related to what inspires him. He usually works on several projects or works of art at the same time, so their creation is inspired by different engines.

He carefully considers and selects the materials he uses in his works because he wants to create something more than a simple image. Usually, the artist chooses building materials intended for the construction of buildings. Buildings can have a wide variety of functions in human society, such as fortifying, warming, uniting, grouping, bringing together, etc.

"Freedom is brief moment when we choose to do what we want and exactly what we strive for. Freedom is turning point."

MARCIS ZIEMIŅŠ

Designer

MARCIS ZIEMIŅŠ

Mārcis Ziemiņš is a designer and set designer who works with various types of projects, both in Latvia and internationally. Marcis works with installations, theater scenography, event design. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in arts at “Design Academy Eindhoven”, he worked in the development of design solutions for individual clients and global brands such as Hugo Boss, Porsche, Hyundai and others. Marcis is the founder, manager and chief designer of the design solutions company Don’t Panic. March’s works have received several international awards, including a grand prix in the world.

Linda Vilka

Artist

Linda Vilka

Multidisciplinary artist and storyteller from Latvia. She has studied in Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, currently is teaching and working towards her professional PhD degree at Art Academy of Latvia.

"Freedom to be,
stand up for your beliefs,
step out of limita4ons imposed by familiarity and society. Freedom to be authen4c,
speak up
and
feel secure."

3 chefs

Chefs

3 chefs

"Freedom is only thing what human needs, without it you are a prisoner."

All day, everyday. 3 chefs creates menus for Art Venice biennial, Riga Art biennial and many more.

Jana Herbsta

Actress

Jana Herbsta

"Freedom means not living in fear... I aim to share real-life stories and experiences with visitors at "Ukraine: The Residence of Freedom."

Jana Herbsta was born on 14 September 1991 in Riga, Latvia. She is an actress, known for “The Witch Hunt” (2022), “Youth Eternal,” and “Nearby” (2019).

Jana’s projects:

TV series “Lost without trace”

Movies “7 billions of years before the end of the world”, “Warhunt”, “Emergency exit”.

Liene Grava

Horeogrāfe

Liene Grava

“My mission at the event ‘Ukraine: The Residence of Freedom’ is to share with the audience the moments of togetherness, empathy, love, and presence.”

”Freedom is to live according to yourself, live in safety, create, express yourself.”

My projects:

“How much sun inside us”
“Interview with Francis Bacon”
“One and a Half”
“Little Garden”
“Both Sides”

Awards:

Dance award 2021-2022 for “How much sun inside us”
Dance award 2019-2022 for “One and a Half”
Dance award 2017-2018 for “Both Sides”
Latvian Theatre 2014 award “Actor’s Awards Night” – Movement Artist of the Year.

Rick Feds

Musician

Rick Feds

Rick Feds is a performer, music producer and audio/visual artist that uses finger-drumming as the main technique for controlling all sonic and visual elements simultaneously. Feds is considered to be one of the greatest finger-drummers in the world today, but if you ever catch him performing live it will be something that you’ve never experienced before. The former jazz drums and classical piano background makes a key difference in Rick’s playing abilities on the sample pad and allows him to perform all elements of beat arrangement live in a way that’s never been done before. All of his pads are synced to visuals and lights matching the sounds and telling the visual story alongside music. In Rick’s eyes he is an ambassador of a new art form and striving to do his part extending future technology dimensions that a man can use to express impulsive emotions.

”Freedom means that a person is physically and spiritually free to share his/hers ideas, works with the world. Freedom means to have a right for an individual and unique culture for every country. To both parties involved in the war, I'd like to share the value and importance of freedom.”

Headlining artist at NAMM 2023 closing show in Los Angeles.
Best Electronic Music album award in Latvia, 2021.
Rick Feds has done solo shows at venues like The Cutting Room (NYC), SXSW (Austin, TX) and has been included in Ableton’s TOP 5 performers list for two years in turn. Special performances created for Coca Cola, Lomborghini, Adidas and more. His mastery on the sample pad as well as the technical innovations have been described in music forums around the world. Endorsed by the worlds leading music manufacturing companies such as Ableton, Embodme, Pearl Drums and more. Feds has opened shows for James Arthur, Jungle and AraabMuzik.

Valters Ozoliņš

Florist

Valters Ozoliņš

Valters is one of the leading Latvian florist with many years of experience in creating floristry for live communication events, weddings and corporate events. Works are with live and artificial flowers, including them in sophisticated and modern compositions that enhance the story of events.

”5 associative words with FREEDOM- wife / children / family / Latvia / home”

He proud of projects during the period of Latvian Presidency in the Council of the European Union

Those Guys Lighting

Lighting artists

Those Guys Lighting

”Freedom - Independence, safety, adventure, culture, diversity. Everyone's freedom is something to be nourished, protected and respected.”

They are proud of most of our projects, because they are all special to them. Their installation “The Garden of Reflections’’ has won the award as the best urban lighting design in Latvia and they have received multiple quality marks recognized by the Latvian Event and Producers Asocciation (LaPPA).

Una Bērziņa

Fashion artist

Una Bērziņa

Una Berzina, a Latvian fashion designer, has evolved from her innate Latvian modesty to embrace an inner desire for exhibitionism.

"Freedom for me means choice and self expression, it means joy and lightness as well as in clothing."

2019 – Grand prix in fashion designer contest “Meringue” Riga
2019 – 2nd prize in fashion designer contest “Erki” Tallin
2016/2017 – studies in ESMOD Paris

Signe Vanadziņa

Painter

Signe Vanadziņa

The artist possesses an unusual talent for color – characterized by vibrant, intense hues and lines, full of powerful optimism, brilliance of colors, a skillful combination of colors, and strong emotional expression.

"Choice, ligt blue sky, silence, singing, feather. Freedom is possibility to make your own choice".

2022 project “atbalstissimo”, latvian artists supports Ukrain, Riga, Latvia

2018 people award in “Painting of the year”, a.Suna Gallery and Swedbank, Riga, Latvia

2015 people award in “Painting of the year”, a.Suna Gallery and Swedbank, Riga, Latvia

2014, 2013. charity auction donated for the garden of destiny, Latvia