Lviv reopens art galleries ‘to show we’re alive’

In fact, sometimes the art speeds up, even when the bombs fall.

Two Ukrainian artists, Vlada Ralko and Volodymyr Budnikov, spent a month living in an unused gallery in the palace that suddenly became empty after the Russian invasion, Mr. They donated dozens of works they had produced, many depicting war, to the museum.

“This art was created at these times, in this palace, it is living art,” said the director, adding that the work will be exhibited in late spring or summer, perhaps in the summer. a castle about 50 miles east of Lviv.

Western Ukraine is brimming with castles, a legacy of the past under various periods of rule, including Poland and the Austro-Hungarian empire. The center of the city is marked by the influence of several cultures, and because it is an administrative capital, it has long been a center for the arts and opera.

Mr. Voznyak is without a doubt his country’s strong artistic tradition, a Ukrainian outgrowth located at the medieval crossroads of the main trade route between Europe, India and China.

“I don’t want to offend Americans but everyone grew up in a certain aesthetic environment,” he said, which is sure to offend some Americans. “It’s not absolute, but if you grow up in a place like this, you have the opportunity to enjoy more.”

Moments later, he pointed out American, Australian, Canadian, British, Polish and Lithuanian flags flying alongside the Ukrainian flag outside the gallery in recognition of their help in the Ukrainian war effort. A Swiss company, he said, has provided free assistance to turn the wet underground space into a temperature-controlled storage space for some artwork.

“We have flown the flags of our allies who have helped us the most to preserve both the museum and this city,” he said.