Give space to the mood

The Kyiv gallery Mystets is hosting a solo exhibit of Inna Bychenkova, a well-known artist of theater and cinema (she has worked on the film Captain Fracassa). Her current exposition consists of landscape and still life paintings. However, Bychenkova’s paintings, especially landscapes, look like “theater sets,” those conveying the mood (The Evening City) rather than creating space. And she hits the target quite precisely, producing really strong and bright feelings, playing with numerous nuances. At the same time the majestic romanticism of castles (The White Castle, A High Fortress) goes along with simplicity, almost holiness of The Village Church, whereas the melancholic coziness of old houses (Stone City, Lonely Star) goes along with the music lyricism of parks (Starlings have come, Bowing Tree) or hard for understanding, but painful uneasiness of the lonely window in a long autumn night (A Night Cross, The Moon over Lavra, the Moon over the city). The artist’s still life paintings are somewhat theatrical too. They all are made of chimerical items, which are able to tell much of their owners or their time. Therefore every still life by Bychenkova is a story, a confession, or an essay (Rain in White Church, Night Bird, Theater Still Life). Sometimes the artist says that she gets enchanted with beauty (Glass).