Artists from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus Discuss Art's Role in War at 2015 Supermarket Art Fair

During the 2015 Supermarket Art Fair held in Stockholm, artists from Ukraine, Russia, and surrounding nations engaged in discussions about the significance of art amid conflict. Notable participants included collectives Parazit and Open Place, alongside artists such as Maria Kulikovskaya, Sofiya Kokhanskaya, Vladimir Kozin, Yuriy Kruchak, Sasha Kurmaz, and Semyon Motolyanets. Kulikovskaya suggested that art promotes solidarity, while Kokhanskaya regarded it as a means of escape. Motolyanets pointed out art's ability to shape perception, and Kurmaz described it as a vital reflection of society. Kruchak considered it a mediator, and Kozin raised ethical dilemmas faced by Russian artists. The conversation, published by Katarina Lindqvist on February 24, 2016, also touched on artistic freedom and cross-border initiatives.