Shared values and long-term investment: why is it important to invest in culture now?
Interview
Why the largest banks in the world invest heavily in art.
We once had a premium card with the image of a horse from a painting by Anatoly Kryvolap. At that time, it was not a trendy approach, so much attention was not focused on Ukrainian culture as it is now. We have been implementing this project for 10 years already. Because it is important to think about what will remain after us in 100 years. Now, during the war, our artists are working while feeling very emotional, and the paintings they are making now will be worth a lot of money in 100 years.
I analyzed the experience of foreign colleagues in this direction. The world's largest banks are huge investors in art. The German Deutsche Bank even has its art space in Berlin; it is one of the largest owners of paintings in the world. They invest in acquisitions, make art hubs, and take on the balance works of national art, thus supporting national culture. Citibank and Bank of America lend against paintings, helping local artists to produce this heritage. And this is a very important topic.
Right now is the time for big business to do such things—to support artists and Ukrainian culture. And here there is no choice—to help the army, pay taxes, and support culture.
What does the aggressor country do when it enters Ukrainian territory?
Russians take works of art. This was the case in Donetsk, Mariupol, and Kherson in the first days of the occupation. The Kherson Art Museum was devastated; Russians transported 14,000 works of art to their country via trucks. They assign the names of artists—let's remember Malevych, Repin, and Aivazovsky, who created and were born here, who had a pro-Ukrainian position. Russians systematically appropriate our cultural achievements. So we have to protect our cultural DNA.Right now, the state’s job is war, so I think that every conscious business and conscious citizen should support Ukrainian culture.
Now there is a renaissance of Ukrainian culture. I am sure that this trend will last. During the terrible war, our country united around common values. Vyshyvanka is now in every family, in every home. I really want the paintings of Ukrainian artists, talented young modern artists, to be in our apartments as well. Subsequently, they will be of great value, but they need support now.
Original
Interview
Oschadbank Press Center