Lamps by Andrii Bokotey (co-authored) in the interiors of public buildings of the 1970s and 1980s: the first creative experiments with glass

Abstract

The article deals with the glass lighting compositions by Andriy Bokotey, created in collaboration in 1970-1980 for the interiors of public buildings in the former USSR. The article outlines the historical and socio-cultural prerequisites for changing the chosen medium. First of all, the beginning of the artist's work with glass and his first creative searches in the new material are comprehensively studied. The cause-and-effect relationships of the implemented functional and technological solutions are clarified. The evolution of forms and approaches to the creation of constructive design of lighting systems in the interiors of public buildings of that time is traced. It is determined how customers and architects influenced the implementation of projects. Ten three-dimensional compositions are analysed. The artistic and functional value of the realised objects is outlined. Main objective of the study is to identify the artistic and technical features of the lighting compositions made by the creative team with the participation of Andrii Bokotey and the socio-historical determination of artistic decisions. Methodology: the article uses both general scientific and specific research methods. In particular, analytical, systematic, descriptive, comparative, formal, cultural and historical methods. An interview with the author was also conducted. All the images used and the bibliography of works were provided by Andriy Bokotey from his personal archive for the creation of the research paper. Results and conclusions: Andrii Bokotey is an iconic artist in the field of art glass. His creative achievements are the subject of research by a number of eminent art historians. However, a significant layer of three-dimensional lighting compositions has remained outside their attention. The period of creating lamps in the work of Andrii Bokotey is fruitful and bright, it became a turning point in the choice of the main creative medium, but not dominant, and therefore little studied. For the first time, illustrative materials on this topic are comprehensively published and the author's creative practices are considered in the social context of the time.