Space Around of Nazar Bilyk: Based on interviews with the sculptor 2017–2019

Abstract

Based on a series of interviews in 2017–2019, coupled with the analytical and applied research of art historians, the theoretical views of the modern Ukrainian sculptor Nazar Bilyk (b. 1979) are considered. First, attention is focused on the peculiarities of the artist’s attitude to the perception of the results of his work in the urban architectural and leisure environment (public art). Secondly, on the formulation of theoretical generalizations regarding the nature of the sculptural form, the properties of its material and the nature of its interaction with space. Thirdly, on how these theoretical generalizations are reflected in Bilyk’s work, based on his statements and interpreting them. In particular, it is shown that in the case of the project “Space Around” (since 2013), the real material of sculpture is precisely the environment for which the sculptural form, created as a “heap of mass”, is a shortage; but such an important lack, which can be supplemented to a natural “perfection” by the absence of mass, and not its presence. In this case, the spatial integrity of the form only grows stronger from this expressive lack