A number of activities dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the worldwide well-known art association UNOVIS is organized under support of A1

A series of events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the worldwide well-known art association UNOVIS from Vitebsk started in Belarus. It was initiated by Belarus – Jewish Cultural Heritage Centre and The Historic Museum of Vitebsk National Art School under support of A1. The program started with the first in Belarus presentation of a prestigious award, i.e. Lazar Khidekel’s international prize. The family of the well-known architect came to Minsk from New York in order to personally present the award and announce the program of the activities dedicated to the 100th anniversary of UNOVIS.

The first in Belarus Lazar Khidekel’s exhibition expected to be the biggest ever and will start in February 2020 in Minsk. About a hundred of works from The Khidekel’s archive will be delivered to Minsk for the exhibition: sketches of cosmic dwellings, futuristic cities like garden city, aerocity, aquacity as well as unique UNOVIS documentation. On the eve of the 100th anniversary The Historic Museum of Vitebsk National Art School will host international scientific conference dedicated to this date and the history of uniting.

The first suprematist architect and innovator, artist, a significant figure in avant garde movement – this is how they classify Lazar Khidekel these days. He was born in Vitebsk, studied at the National Art School under Marc Chagall, El Lisitskiy and Kazimir Malevich. Before long Lazar Khidekel became one of those painters who over a few years – between 1920 and 1923 turned the city into the global centre of avant garde. He devoted his life to the architecture and went down into history books as a man with time on his hands.

“For A1 support of the activities dedicated to the 100th anniversary of UNOVIS is an opportunity to emphasize importance of achievements associated with that period for the national heritage. Numerous innovative and groundbreaking ideas were formulated by the UNOVIS members in Vitebsk before something similar appeared in other countries. That is why we see a paramount importance in bringing creative and intellectual heritage back to Belarus and draw attention to our country’s contribution to the worldwide cultural context. And we are very happy that this large scale project starts with the presentation of Lazar Khidekel’s award and his ancestors’ visit to Minsk”, - commented Nikolai Bredelev, head of A1 PR.

“Lazar Khidekel is well-known around the world. We want that his name gains a higher recognition in our country too and Belarusians are proud of him. His works can be found in Museums in New York, London, Zurich, etc, however, they have never been exhibited in Minsk. We are happy that it will happen with support of our partner A1 and his family who many years carefully and miraculously preserved Khidekel’s and UNOVIS archive. In the 1920-1930s while creating his aqua cities and cosmic habitats he used to say that he would be understood only in one hundred years time. Symbolically and not accidentally he is remembered in Belarus a century after, this is the soil that was the ground of his innovative ideas”, - noted Maya Kaznelson, founder of Belarus – Jewish Cultural Heritage Centre.

“Until about 30 years ago the world did not know Malevich, however today he and his ideas are truly recognized. There comes Khidekel’s time. In life, he has never had his solo exhibition. Since late 1930s and for many years his avant garde projects have sunk into oblivion, were rediscovered only in 1970s though he had been dreaming about it and preparing, used to make notes «for my exhibition”. Nowadays museum curators are interested not only in his art work but also in architectural projects related to futuristic cities where the mankind and the nature find it’s harmony. And we are looking forward to expose them here in Belarus”, - added Regina Khidekel.

In 2013 Lazar Khidekel’s community engaged in his heritage instituted a special award for contemporary authors who continue developing ideas of the famous architect. Lazar Khidekel’s international award is granted for innovative and ecologic solutions in architectural projects on the annual basis in different cities around the globe. This year, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of UNOVIS such a ceremony has been for the first time organized in Minsk under support of A1. The jury selected three winners, i.e. one in every contest that have been taking place within the framework of the festival Architectural Autumn 2019.

The first Minsk international biennale of young architects Leonardo has honored WXCA studio from Warsaw. It’s architects have designed The Poland pavilion for EXPO 2020 taking place in Dubai from 20 October 2020 till 10 April 2021. It’s structure is made of wooden boxes similar to transport containers surrounded by steel bars with paper birds – this is how the authors combined the themes of the nature and technologies, Polish aviation industry and it’s territory as a habitat of European migrating birds.

Other two laureates were selected from the winners of the national contest of graduation works among students of art high schools and colleges. Sergei Bykov from the Belarusian National Technical University was awarded for his project of powersport center in Raubichy. And Alexandra Araslanova from Vitebsk National Technical College was awarded for her concept of the architectural and archeologic complex The 1000th Anniversary square in Vitebsk.

“We have screened about a hundred works and their level is pretty high. Every jury member has own criteria but we all agree with the main point, i.e. we do honor innovative and ecologic approach. Ecology in living spaces is popular since the creation of the mankind, however it was my father who formulated it first in his manifest AERO in 1920. It stated that the goal of the architect is to protect humans from any natural disasters and save the earth for coming generations. Today we see that more and more young people address this matter therefore, we have got the idea to recognize those who face the future with suprematist eyes. On the eve of the 100th anniversary of UNOVIS we drew our attention to Belarus, that is why it was natural that the Prize arrived on the soil that gave birth to all these ideas”, - commented Mark Khidekel, architect and designer, chairman of Lazar Khidekel’s Community and the jury.

On 13 October Lazar Khidekel’s family visited Vitebsk. Mark Khidekel will lecture in Minsk for the students and experts within the program of the festival Architectural Autumn 2019.