"Vesna Sontse" Group Exhibition
Vesna Sontse
A Celebration of Lost Traditions
Work by Beci Orpin, Caroline Hwang, Coe&Waito, Elizabeth Ullrich, Julie Moon, Melinda Josie, Matthew Feyld, Nathan Jurevicius, Noel Middleton and Tania Sanhueza
Feb 22 - March 24, 2008
Magic Pony presents VESNA SONTSE, an ode to Ukrainian traditions celebrated through contemporary craft. Artists Beci Orpin, Caroline Hwang, Coe&Waito, Elizabeth Ullrich, Julie Moon, Melinda Josie, Matthew Feyld, Nathan Jurevicius, Noel Middleton and Tania Sanhueza contribute oblations honoring the solstice. VESNA SONTSE opens as a site specific installation at Come Up to My Room, Gladstone Hotel from February 22nd-24th and continues at Magic Pony until March 20th, 2008.
In Ukrainian pagan worship, the coming of spring is rich with meaning as the sun brings warmth, fertility and life. Offerings are presented to a Sun God in exchange for blessings of prosperity. Of these offerings, none is more significant than the decorative eggs known as pysanka. This delicate art form embodies a wealth of symbolism from the egg itself to the intricate patterns, symbols and colors drawn and dyed in layers of wax and color. The significance of the egg is tied to the bird's close relationship with the sun. Birds are considered symbols of revere and prosperity and their eggs represent fertility, life and luck. In the folk life of Ukrainian people, the pysanka and krashanka possess talismanic powers. Receipt of a pysanka is not only a token of friendship or esteem but also brings with it protection from harm. The symbolism found in pysanky is echoed in the many traditions of spring worship. Carefully crafted textiles, wood carvings, ceramics bearing these symbols are all of cardinal significance in Ukrainian Spring Solstice.
VESNA SONTSE is a celebration of lost traditions. Drawing from the symbolism found in pysanky, contemporary artists practicing traditional crafts present ceramics, glasswork, painting, sculpture, textile and woodwork as oblations honoring spring. A site specific installation will be presented as part of Come Up to My Room February. 22-24. A second installation will be on exhibit at Magic Pony from February 27-March 20. There will be a closing reception at Magic Pony from 6-9pm on March 20, the first day of Spring.
Selected Artwork
Matthew Feyld
Julie Moon
Nathan Jurevicius
Melinda Josie
Elizabeth Ulrich
Coe & Waito