Zhanna Kadyrova’s striking origami-inspired deer sculpture has embarked on a significant journey, arriving at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris as a prelude to the prestigious Venice Biennale. This poignant piece, born from the ashes of conflict, embodies hope amidst the despair wrought by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and it is set to become the centrepiece of Ukraine’s national pavilion.
A Journey Born from Conflict
In the lead-up to Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, cities across Ukraine began to empty, leaving behind echoes of a once-vibrant life. It was during this tumultuous time that Kadyrova’s deer sculpture began its odyssey, a tale woven with threads of resilience and artistry. On a sunlit spring day in Paris, the concrete deer stands against the backdrop of budding trees, an extraordinary blend of fragility and strength.
The deer, with its distinct origami aesthetic, is not merely a sculpture; it is a manifestation of Kadyrova’s artistic response to the violence that has engulfed her homeland. Commissioned in 2018 for a park in Pokrovsk, a city in the Donetsk region, the deer was designed as a symbol of regeneration following the devastation left by Russian-backed separatists. The artist aimed to create something that resonated with the local community, a contemporary piece that could evoke memories of beauty and peace.
The Urgency of Evacuation
Fast forward to the summer of 2024, and Pokrovsk finds itself at the frontline of conflict. Kadyrova’s friend, Leonid Marushchak, who has since become a co-curator for the Ukrainian pavilion, recalls the urgent need to rescue the sculpture as the war encroached further into civilian life. During this harrowing period, Marushchak coordinated the logistics of evacuating not only the deer but also a statue of Mykola Leontovych, a cherished Ukrainian composer.
The evacuation was a complex task requiring heavy machinery and a delicate touch. Kadyrova documented the process, capturing the emotional weight carried by locals who had to confront the possibility of leaving their homes forever. For many, the deer became a symbol of their past, a poignant reminder of life before the war.
The Symbolism of Survival
Once liberated from its plinth, the deer took on new significance as it journeyed through various European cities. From Warsaw to Vienna, each stop enriched its narrative, as refugees and locals alike came to touch the sculpture, imbuing it with their hopes and memories. Kateryna Khimei, one of the event organisers, notes that this new tradition has transformed the deer into a totem of survival, representing both those who have endured and those who have been lost.
As the deer prepares to enter the Venice Biennale, its exhibition, titled “Security Guarantees,” offers a poignant commentary on the ongoing conflict. The title, laced with irony, highlights the lack of protections for Ukraine amidst the turmoil. The sculpture’s journey across Europe mirrors the experiences of countless Ukrainian refugees, encapsulating the struggle for identity and belonging in a time of crisis.
Cultural Tensions at the Biennale
This year’s Venice Biennale is fraught with tension, particularly with Russia’s contentious return to the national pavilion after a hiatus since 2022. This resurgence has sparked outrage within the international art community, complicating the dialogue surrounding Ukraine’s exhibition. Khimei and her fellow curators express concern that their work may be overshadowed, reduced to mere opposition against Russian presence rather than a celebration of Ukrainian resilience.
The deer’s arrival is a bittersweet moment, representing not only artistic achievement but also the ongoing struggle for cultural preservation in the face of destruction. As it hangs suspended in the Giardini, poised between installation and removal, it invites viewers to contemplate the precariousness of its existence—much like the fate of countless cultural treasures at risk due to war.
Why it Matters
The journey of Kadyrova’s deer sculpture transcends the realm of art; it is a powerful symbol of hope, survival, and the enduring spirit of a nation under siege. As it prepares to take its place in Venice, the deer stands not only as a testament to the beauty that can emerge from adversity but also as a reminder of the cultural legacy threatened by conflict. In the face of ongoing violence, this sculpture is a beacon for the displaced, a narrative of resilience that speaks to the heart of humanity.
