GIRLS FROM DUBYNKA 2016

Editor: This is "GIRLS FROM DUBYNKA," a mixed-media photograph created in 2016 by Babak-Matveev. The colours are incredibly vibrant! I'm struck by the intense floral headdresses, and the whole composition feels symbolic. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's more than just vibrancy, isn't it? It’s a layered commentary. Consider the historical context: traditional Ukrainian dress, yet presented through a contemporary, almost hyper-real lens. What statements might the artist be making about cultural preservation versus reinvention? Editor: So it’s not just a pretty picture, but an active dialogue with Ukrainian identity? Curator: Exactly. The photograph becomes a stage for exploring identity. Think about the gaze of the women – direct, unflinching. Are they reclaiming the representation of Ukrainian women? And what about the parrot – a clear symbol. Does it signify imposed exoticism or something else? Editor: I didn’t think of the parrot that way! Is there a reference to the exoticization of women from that region? Curator: Precisely. The work touches on many complex ideas simultaneously. Consider the floral arrangements – they are exaggerated to the point of almost being overwhelming. Do you think this a celebratory symbol of Ukranian culture? What happens if the flower crown is no longer beautiful in its abundance? Is it a way of signifying how cultural pride, at times, becomes something of a burden? Editor: That's a lot to consider. So this vivid photograph uses a very specific cultural context to discuss broader issues of representation and identity? Curator: Exactly! The work asks important questions. By merging the traditional and the contemporary, it compels us to rethink simplistic understandings of Ukrainian identity, or any cultural identity for that matter, beyond superficial beauty. Editor: I’m walking away with a whole new appreciation for what I thought was simply a colorful photo. Curator: And hopefully a few new questions!