Modernism in Kyiv: Jubilant Experimentation

Review

'[Modernism in Kyiv] is a ground-breaking examination and study of the historical, intellectual, and artistic complexity of Kyiv in the years of modernism.' (Oksana Zakydalsky, The Ukrainian Weekly )

'Impressive, richly illustrated volume...This book is successful in creating a strong impression of early twentieth century Kyiv as a bustling and sophisticated major cultural centre... A careful reading of this book will prove an eye opening experience both for specialists and general readers.' (Marko Robrt Stech Canadian Slavonic Papers: vol52:3-4:2010)

‘This book is a fun read that captures the exuberance of the time, place, and the people that it describes. It is highly recommended to anyone interested in Modernism, in Ukrainian art and literature, to anyone with a desire to live, to experience, to try something new. ’ (Natalie Kononenko, Slavic & East European Review; vol 55:02:2011)

‘Modernism in Kyiv, a massive, richly illustrated collection of essays, provides a spectacular introduction to the artistic life of this city.’ (Robert Crane Theatre Journal)

‘We should be grateful to Makaryk and Tkacz for selecting, editing, and publishing such a rich concordance to the study of international Modernism.’ (John E. Bowlt Slavonica)


Product Description

The study of modernism has been largely focused on Western cultural centres such as Paris, Vienna, London, and New York. Extravagantly illustrated with over 300 photos and reproductions, Modernism in Kyiv demonstrates that the Ukrainian capital was a major centre of performing and visual arts as well as literary and cultural activity. While arguing that Kyiv's modernist impulse is most prominently displayed in the experimental work of Les Kurbas, one of the masters of the early Soviet stage, the contributors also examine the history of the city and the artistic production of diverse groups including Ukrainians, Russians, Jews, and Poles.
Until now a silent presence in Western accounts of the cultural topography of modernism, multicultural Kyiv is here restored to its historical, intellectual, and artistic complexity. Excerpts taken from the works of artists, writers, and critics as well as the numerous illustrations help give life to the exciting creativity of this period. The first book-length examination of this subject, Modernism in Kyiv is a breakthrough accomplishment that will become a standard volume in the field.

Review

'Modernism in Kyiv restores the multicultural city of Kyiv to its rightful position as a major player in the dialogue and cross-pollination of ideas occurring between important modernist figures in centers such as Paris, New York, London, and Vienna. Engaging and highly readable, this collection is impressive in its scope, depth, and breadth.' (Michael Naydan, Woskob Family Professor of Ukrainian Studies, The Pennsylvania State University)

'Modernism in Kyiv is truly a breakthrough accomplishment, and one that promises to become a paradigm-defining event. For the first time, the city of Kyiv is revealed to the English-language readership as a neglected major center of creative innovation during the early Modernist era. No other volume of similar ambition, scope, comprehensiveness, and focus exists about any city in Ukraine and most of the nations of Eastern and Central Europe.' (Vitaly Chernetsky, Department of German, Russian, and East Asian Languages, Miami University)

About the Author

Irena R. Makaryk is a professor in the Department of English at the University of Ottawa.
Virlana Tkacz is the artistic director of the Yara Arts Group in New York.