The event brought together two conceptual series of works by the artist: one dedicated to national symbols and cultural memory of Ukraine, the other exploring the impact of modern technologies and social networks on humans.
The grand opening was attended by the mayor of Hyères and representatives of the local cultural community.
Photo provided by Victoria Kalisitskaya
Series "Signs and Symbols Rule the World"
The first series, created as part of the charitable cultural project “Together for Ukraine,” is inspired by Confucius’ quote, “Signs and symbols rule the world.” The works explore Ukrainian mythology, traditional ornaments, and visual codes that have shaped the nation’s spiritual world for centuries.
"My paintings are bridges between the past and the present. They tell stories that are important to hear today," Victoria noted during the opening.
Series "Fragments of Modernity"
The second series of works is a personal artistic study of the impact of the digital environment on the human psyche and behavior. In collages and paintings, the author shows the fragmentation of personality, loss of connection with reality, and the desire for approval on social networks.
"I was inspired by a personal situation. I saw how the screen becomes the center of life - and I wanted to share this observation. Today's world changes our dreams, goals, self-esteem. We stop living our lives by looking at someone else's," the artist shared.
About the artist
Viktoriya Kalisetska is an artist and photographer of Ukrainian origin, originally from Crimea. She is a graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts of the Ukrainian Pedagogical University and the School of Contemporary Photography in Lviv, and a participant in international art projects, including the Burning Man festival in the USA. Her work combines tradition, current topics, and a personal artistic vision.
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