The Ukrainian Institute of America mourns the loss of a journalist and its long time friend, Helen Perozak Smindak (1928 – 2020).
Alexander Archipenko (1887-1964), First Cubist Sculptor
Today, May 30th, marks 133 years since the birth of Alexander Archipenko (1887-1964), the first Cubist sculptor.
Every book on twentieth century modern art mentions Alexander Archipenko. While alive, he was acknowledged as one of the most acclaimed modern sculptors in the world. Artworks visualized and executed by Alexander Archipenko are held in important private and international museum collections, among them, Centre George Pompidou, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Kunstmuseum Bern, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Phillips Collection, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Tate Gallery, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and Whitney Museum of American Art. Notwithstanding this, with his unique art, he raised awareness of Ukrainian culture to a higher level more than any Ukrainian diplomat could have.
Ihor Sikorsky (1889-1972), father of modern helicopters
Ihor Sikorsky, Ukrainian-born American aviation pioneer, was born in Kyiv in 1889. His mother was a doctor and his father a psychology professor at Kyiv University.
Homeschooled by his mother until age 9, he acquired a love for science through the flying machines in Leonardo da Vinci’s journals and Jules Verne’s books. By age 12, the budding engineer had already built a rubber band powered helicopter.
While studying at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, he designed two helicopters, among the first such designs in the world, as well as a series of biplanes. On December 29, 1911 he established the world speed record (111 km/hr) for a loaded plane (three passengers), the C-6. From 1912 to 1917 he worked as chief designer at a Russian-Baltic aviation company, where he designed and built the first airplanes with multiple engines. In 1918 he emigrated to France, and in 1919 to the United States, where he founded a number of aviation companies and headed several design teams, which constructed various airplanes and hydroplanes.
Today, May 21st is Vyshyvanka Day
It is celebrated on the third Thursday of May. The Ukrainian traditional embroidered shirt is not just a beautiful garment, but a genetic code of the nation. Check out this interactive map of Ukrainian embroidered shirts throughout different regions of Ukraine and fee free to share your vyshyvanka with on our social media.
Take a virtual walk through Ukrainian open-air museums
If you are longing for outdoor activities, try going for a virtual walk through Ukrainian open-air museums. This website was created by the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture in cooperation with Google, and features seven open-air museums in different parts of
Remembering the Crimean Tatar Deportation, the Sürgünlik
Today, we commemorate 76 years since the May 18, 1944 mass deportation of the Crimean Tatars from their homeland on the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine. The Crimean Tatars’ ongoing struggle as victims of the Soviet ethnic cleansing under Stalin has
A special installation direct from the 2020 Armory Show, by 2018 PULSE PRIZE winner and 58th Venice Biennale representative from Ukraine, Zhanna Kadyrova, lands on New York’s Museum Mile
Zhanna Kadyrova: The Market A special installation direct from the 2020 Armory Show, by 2018 PULSE PRIZE winner and 58th Venice Biennale representative from Ukraine, lands on New York’s Museum Mile. Art at the Institute is pleased to present Zhanna
Today, May 12th, we celebrate the 84th birthday of Ukrainian artist Ivan Marchuk
The Ukrainian Institute of America wishes Mr. Marchuk a very Happy Birthday and continued health, happiness and success in the coming year.
Revisit our Summer Art Exhibit
Revisit this group exhibition that was on display in our gallery in the summer of 2014. This dynamic selection of paintings featured works by Vasyl Bazhaj, Ilona Sochynsky, Temo Svirely, Max Vityk and Mykola Zhuravel.
“Julia Blue” by Roxy Toporowych now streaming on Amazon Prime
“Julia Blue” was shot entirely in Ukraine and beautifully depicts the country and her people in the post-Maidan era. It is the first American independent narrative feature film to be entirely shot with all Ukrainian cast and crew.
Julia, a photojournalism student living in war-torn Ukraine, finds her path towards independence and a brighter future challenged after meeting and falling for English, a young soldier fresh from the war zone.