Artists who are painting bright sunflowers over piles of burned-out cars destroyed in Russia's invasion of Ukraine are being asked whether it is appropriate to beautify the remnants of the carnage. The painters, who are from Ukraine and the United States, say they want to raise money for Ukrainian artists, rehabilitation projects, and other causes by selling digital copies of the artwork as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Profits Of War: Plans To Sell Images Of Decorated Ukrainian Wreckage As Digital Art Spark Anger
1
A sunflower, the national flower of Ukraine, is seen on a burned-out car in Irpin, near Kyiv. The installation is causing dismay among some Ukrainians, while others hail the novel approach to raising money for the nation's artistic community, which is languishing during the war.
2
The installation is located on the main road leading into Irpin, where authorities say 200-300 civilians were killed during the invasion that began on February 24. The shattered city was taken back by Ukrainian forces in late March. City authorities approved the work and assured the artists no one had died in the vehicles.
3
One vehicle owner thanked the artists "for repurposing these cars into something more beautiful." But a Kyiv resident didn't like it, saying, "The memories are still super fresh."
4
"I understand the idea of the flowers showing hope for the future, and that Ukraine cannot be destroyed despite what the Russians tried to do here, but maybe it's too soon," says Casimir Kiendl, who is Welsh but was living in Ukraine when the war started.
![Trek Kelly, a Los Angeles-based muralist, and Olena Yanko, a Ukrainian artist involved in the project, say they respect the concerns but hope the site will become a place for reflection. "Yes, there are people who didn’t understand us. They think that we are dancing on the graves of those who died," Yanko says. "But we want to show that...life will go on. We will win [the war] and we can beat the enemy, whether it’s with a paintbrush or with weapons."](https://gdb.rferl.org/08790000-0a00-0242-035c-08da7c31c0f0_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
5
Trek Kelly, a Los Angeles-based muralist, and Olena Yanko, a Ukrainian artist involved in the project, say they respect the concerns but hope the site will become a place for reflection.
"Yes, there are people who didn’t understand us. They think that we are dancing on the graves of those who died," Yanko says. "But we want to show that...life will go on. We will win [the war] and we can beat the enemy, whether it’s with a paintbrush or with weapons."
"Yes, there are people who didn’t understand us. They think that we are dancing on the graves of those who died," Yanko says. "But we want to show that...life will go on. We will win [the war] and we can beat the enemy, whether it’s with a paintbrush or with weapons."
6
Trek Kelly, who helped initiate the project, on August 10.
7
Ukrainian artists Vyacheslav Rybka and Olena Yanko apply paint to one of the many cars that comprise the installation. The U.S. charity beautifyearth.org is accepting tax-deductible donations for the artists, and details will be posted soon on where to buy NFTs.
Trek Kelley says other Ukrainian cities have offered sites for more of their art. “They want to beautify these distressed areas until they can be rebuilt so...there’s some brightness and color and nature springing up out of the ruins, in a type of rebirth.”
Trek Kelley says other Ukrainian cities have offered sites for more of their art. “They want to beautify these distressed areas until they can be rebuilt so...there’s some brightness and color and nature springing up out of the ruins, in a type of rebirth.”
8
A Ukrainian soldier crosses himself in prayer in front of the installation.
