«BE CAREFUL FRAGILE» STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF MARIUPOL ON THE MARIUPOL REBORN PLATFORM
On 10 February, the exhibition dedicated to the destroyed stained glass windows of Mariupol was opened on the basis of the Lviv Mariupol Reborn platform. «Be careful Fragile!» is a photo project by Ivan Stanislavskyi about the genre of monumental art - stained glass windows. The exposition at the exhibition is the result of the researcher's «photo hunt», which lasted in Mariupol from 2019 to 2021.
The complexity of the stained glass technique and the vulnerability of the material required considerable talent from the artists. And despite this, stained glass windows were created in Mariupol that were impressive in both scale and execution. Taking pictures of the "coloured windows" also often took place in difficult conditions - it required climbing to a height, being armed with a portable ladder and a construction helmet.
The peculiarities of stained glass arrangement make the genre purely interior, even, one might say, chamber. All the colours of a stained glass window can be seen only from inside the room and in daylight, which is not always possible. Unfortunately, some of the works were locked in abandoned premises, and some were in institutions with restricted access. Because of this, the stained glass windows of Mariupol remained largely unknown to the general public. I thank everyone who contributed to this project and dedicate "Be careful Fragile!" to Mariupol people, whose lives were shattered like these stained glass windows
During the full-scale invasion and occupation of Mariupol by russian troops, all the stained glass windows were probably destroyed. Research based on Google maps alone shows that the buildings where the stained glass windows were located were severely damaged. Under such conditions, glass surfaces of tens of square metres had no chance of survival. There are also photos and video evidence of the complete destruction of some buildings with stained glass windows.
The Mariupol Reborn team strongly supports everyone who is engaged in culture during the war. There are 1250 km between Mariupol and Lviv, and few Lviv residents have been in our city before the full-scale invasion. We are grateful to Lviv for its hospitality and want to show the residents and many visitors of the city what a truly Ukrainian Mariupol is - multifaceted, colourful and warm. "Be careful Fragile!" is not only a record of the fragile history that has now been destroyed by the enemy, but also a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the diversity of Mariupol's stained glass windows
Time of the event: the exhibition "Be careful Fragile!" will be held from 10 February to 10 March 2024 from 10:00 to 17:00
Location: Mariupol Reborn platform (Lviv, 6 Ferentsa Lista St.)
The Mariupol Reborn project is being implemented by the Mariupol City Council with the investment support of Rinat Akhmetov's SCM and international donors.
