Untitled 2022

This Untitled drawing was created by Alevtyna Kakhidze using ink on paper. Kakhidze, a Ukranian artist, made this piece in response to the recent trend of cultural institutions cancelling Russian cultural figures, most prominently Tchaikovsky. This cultural phenomenon is a direct result of Russia's war in Ukraine, revealing the deeply political nature of art. Here Kakhidze seems to be grappling with the weight and meaning of Tchaikovsky’s presence in Ukrainian, and even global culture, and the emotional turmoil it can cause to reconcile loving an artist with denouncing his warmongering country. The red ink of the words "NOT CANCELED" and "CANCEL" stands out against the black ink drawings of the Russian composer at the piano, a person watching Tchaikovsky on TV, and what looks like a group of people protesting. Ultimately, this work conveys the personal and societal struggle many Ukrainians face when engaging with Russian culture today.