The plot of the tale is fairly simple: the peaceful world of mushrooms is invaded by the bloodthirsty tsar of the peas. The parallels with the current situation are easy to draw.
Originally from Kyiv, the artist Nikita Kravtsov has been living in Paris for a long time. On February 24, his new art book War of the Mushrooms was about to be released. The book is a remake of Heorhiy Narbut’s 1906 classic of Ukrainian modernism, a folk tale which, for Kravtsov’s book, was reinterpreted by Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov. The plot of the tale is fairly simple: the peaceful world of mushrooms is invaded by the bloodthirsty tsar of the peas. The parallels with the current situation are easy to draw. Everything ends well in Kravtsov’s book, but it’s not clear how this war will end. Since the first days of the conflict, Kravtsov has been working hard, drawing signs, organizing demonstrations, and appearing on TV. In recent days, the European art community has made great efforts to help Ukrainian colleagues. They have offered residencies, stipends, and help with food and documentation. But that is for those who have managed to get out of the country. The majority of Ukrainian artists are still in Ukraine, in great danger.
About the artist: Nikita Kravtsov is an underground Ukrainian artist living in Paris. Through different mediums - painting, video, collage, embroidery - Nikita challenges the viewer on the question of freedom. His works and actions make us think, are provocative, give substance to a social criticism and denounce the absurdities of our world. Today, Nikita has decided to cancel his exhibitions in galleries and museums in order to fight for the freedom of Ukraine.