They won't get us 1991

Editor: This is Oleg Holosiy's 1991 acrylic on canvas piece, "They Won't Get Us." The yellow is striking and almost childlike, but the fighter planes disrupt any sense of pure innocence. What's your take on it? Curator: That unsettling juxtaposition is key. Consider the political climate of 1991. Holosiy was working in a newly independent Ukraine, grappling with anxieties of power, both internal and external. The seemingly "naive art" style, those figures resembling dancers, even, and the vibrant color become a subversive act. It challenges any grand, heroic narrative. Editor: So the 'won't get us' could be interpreted ironically? Curator: Precisely. Who is the "they" in the title? The lingering shadow of the Soviet Union? Internal corruption? The West's gaze? Holosiy offers no easy answers. And what about the figures and landscape in contrast to the invading aircrafts. What historical narratives come to mind when these figures in white clothing or what seems to be like, masquerade-esque attire meet dark aircrafts? Editor: I see…a clash of old and new. It feels very relevant today, with constant tension between countries across the globe and the nostalgia for times past clashing with contemporary anxieties and threats. It really hits home that history isn't really past at all. Curator: Exactly, we read and project ourselves and what we face into these visual histories and find conversations for where we find ourselves. Editor: Thanks! It gave me a lot to reflect on regarding art as more than meets the eye. Curator: Glad to have provided more nuance to your consideration, hopefully it’s been of service to our listeners too.