Abstract composition 1969

Editor: We're looking at "Abstract Composition," a 1969 ink drawing by Hryhorii Havrylenko. There's something almost architectural about the arrangement of these geometric forms. What do you see in this piece, especially considering the context of its time? Curator: The interesting thing is that such formal experimentation in the late 60's in Ukraine would have carried political weight. The move away from socialist realism, the dominant style dictated by the Soviet regime, towards abstraction can be seen as a subtle act of resistance. The sparseness, the refusal of narrative… do you think these elements are inherently political, or do they gain their political charge from the environment in which they were created and consumed? Editor: That's a great question. I guess it's both, isn't it? On the one hand, abstraction in itself might not be directly political, but when you consider that Social Realism was essentially propaganda, anything different becomes significant. Curator: Exactly. Consider the role of art institutions at that time. Exhibitions of abstract art might have been quietly supported by some officials seeking a bit more freedom, or vehemently opposed by hardliners. It shows that seemingly simple artistic choices were often entangled with complex power dynamics and ideological battles. Editor: It’s fascinating to think about this seemingly simple drawing carrying so much hidden meaning! Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Thinking about the politics inherent in art, it shapes how we see even abstract form.