Illustration for the collection of short stories by Yevhen Gutsal "In the stork village" 1969

Editor: This is an illustration by Hryhorii Havrylenko, made in 1969, for Yevhen Gutsalo’s collection of short stories, "In the Stork Village." It seems to be ink on paper, and my first thought is, wow, that's a lot of crosshatching. The high-contrast rendering gives the image a unique texture, almost like woven fabric. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The crosshatching creates such a beautiful field of visual information; a meditation in lines, almost. The stark contrast, reminiscent of woodcut prints, evokes the stark realities of village life maybe? It’s like he's built a whole world using nothing but ink and sheer willpower, what a show! Do you think the stork symbol is just decorative, or is there more at play here? Editor: It might be more than decorative since the stork is in the title, right? Is that what influenced the animal in the artwork? What else do you see? Curator: The stork, with its prominent placement, must be key. The animal rendered as a sort of ghostly figure watching from the darkness of a possible enclosure is fascinating, a dream of open spaces perhaps. Then there’s the title: is it simply "In Stork Village," or could it hint at "Inside" Stork Village? The confinement, or is it safety, depending on your perspective... See how one little line can drastically change everything! Editor: I never considered that second meaning; it's much darker that way. Curator: Exactly! This piece invites you into the book, seducing you into lingering on it and to consider those subtleties. Art at its best, right? Editor: I totally see what you mean now. The simplicity is what creates a profound reading experience! Curator: My thoughts too! Such beauty in these marks!