Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian museums have lost the opportunity to work at full strength and introduce viewers to all their exhibits. This is what happened to the National Art Museum of Ukraine, a significant part of whose collection was taken to a safe place. Moreover, our museums have become targets in this war that Russia is waging not only against the military and civilians but also against our cultural identity.
To preserve the unique objects of our cultural heritage, together with the scientists of NAMU, we selected the sculptures of the master Oleksandr Arkhipenko, scanned them, and developed 3D copies. Now these masterpieces can be seen not only in Ukraine but also abroad.
Oleksandr Arkhipenko (1887-1964) was an outstanding Ukrainian and American artist and sculptor, one of the leading representatives of Cubism in sculpture. Born in Kyiv, he studied at the Kyiv Art School and the Académie de la Grand Chaumière in Paris. Archipenko developed innovative methods of working with forms, including the use of voids in sculpture and the combination of different materials. His works often combine elements of cubism, constructivism, and futurism. One of the most interesting sculptures we’ve digitized is Female Image (Diana), which reflects his experimentation with form and material, creating a harmony between voids and masses.
The preservation of cultural heritage sites during wartime is extremely important. It not only helps to maintain national identity and historical memory but also serves as a symbol of our resilience and indomitability. Fixing and digitizing works of art allows you to preserve them for future generations, even if the originals are lost. This is an important step in the fight for our culture and history, especially at a time when it is under threat from an aggressor.
