The Duderstadt Center Gallery of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor will host an international art exhibition dedicated to the role of empathy and humanity in times of crisis, “Between Voice and Silence.” The exhibition will bring together Ukrainian and American artists who, through ceramics, textiles, and graphics, explore the power of humanity.
This was reported by the The James and Anne Duderstadt Centers.
The title of the exhibition comes from a poem by the Ukrainian poet Maksym Kryvtsov (1990–2024), who died during the war. His words have become a symbol of a quiet but profound conversation about how art can preserve empathy and connection between people when the world is torn apart by violence.
“The value of humanity lies in its ability to overcome difficulties, accepting compassion and keeping empathy and human connection alive even in the most oppressive darkness,” the exhibition description states.
The project reportedly explores the role of empathy and humanity under the pressure of external circumstances – in times of crisis, violence, war. The title of the exhibition is borrowed from a poem by the Ukrainian poet Maksym Kryvtsov, who died in 2024.
Three artists participate in the project. Ira Bondarenko is a ceramic artist who until recently worked in the field of biostatistics at the School of Public Health and is currently studying at the Stamps School of Art & Design, Katya Lisova works in the textile genre, and Matvii Vaisberg is a famous graphic artist, author of prints on the theme of culture, memory, and Ukrainian poetry.
Among the central exhibits are Iryna Bondarenko’s ceramic work Boat for Maksym, which symbolically honors the memory of the poet Kryvtsov, as well as Katya Lisova’s textile work Fly, which reflects the themes of the desire for freedom or inner upliftment.
The goal of the event is to show how ordinary people in times of trial are able to build resilience and keep humanity alive
“The project examines this concept through the prism of the works of Ukrainian artists and poets and emphasizes the role of ordinary people in building resilience and saving the country,” the description on the gallery page says.
The exhibition is organized by the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan, with the support of CREES and the Ann Arbor branch of UNWLA (Union of Ukrainian Women of America).
Photo: dc.umich.edu
Author: Inna Mikhno