This is such a pure, such a bright joy #1 1991

Editor: Here we have Oleg Holosiy’s “This is such a pure, such a bright joy #1” from 1991. At first glance, I’m struck by its monumental feel, even though I understand it's actually a painting and potentially a miniature. The figures feel classical, like something from an ancient monument. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It speaks of layers, doesn’t it? Notice the artist’s use of what looks like classical forms rendered through a fragmented lens. These forms become imbued with new significance. Are those figures ascending or descending? Perhaps Holosiy intended to evoke a sense of both. The human forms carry considerable cultural memory, alluding to narratives of triumph, and even of sacrifice. Editor: I see that, the figures do seem to be struggling and also supporting something at the top. Curator: Exactly. Now consider the time it was created. Ukraine had just declared independence that same year, and previously it was part of the Soviet Union. In light of this cultural and political rebirth, we might interpret these figures as representing that emergence – perhaps the pain, maybe the struggle for national identity. Does the red in the sky make you think of something? Editor: That's a great point. The red, with the almost monochromatic statue look, certainly has somber overtones. So, it’s less about “pure, bright joy” and more about the struggle to attain it? Curator: Holosiy creates a powerful visual metaphor. Even if he personally witnessed or heard painful historical truths during that moment in history, he immortalizes Ukraine’s potential for a future brimming with collective joy. Art’s power is in its ability to connect the past with future promise, a constant feature of symbols throughout time. Editor: I hadn’t considered the historical context so directly, but it adds a whole new layer of understanding. I’ll definitely remember that. Curator: Indeed. Visual symbols contain potent messages. It's worth thinking about how such forms evoke complex emotions across generations, revealing the continuous human story.