UKRAINE-BODY ART Ukrainian body artists inspired by traditional Slavic motifs set up festival

Record ID: 141042

  • Title: UKRAINE-BODY ART Ukrainian body artists inspired by traditional Slavic motifs set up festival
  • Date: 8th September 2015
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF MODEL PERFORMING WITH BURNING STAFF IN FRONT OF SPECTATORS
  • Embargoed: 23rd September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA6JOQ3CT44M6CJX66A7XLNSTE
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Ukrainian body artists set their fantasy free, improvising on ancient Slavic motifs at a festival set up in a theme park near Kiev recently.
    The event, called the 'Ethnic parade of body painting', took place in a park some 30 miles to the south of the capital that was devised as a close copy of the heart of ancient Kiev.
    Eleven teams gathered in the walls of a wooden stronghold, where the artists covered their models' bodies with intricate patterns, images from nature and faces of warriors.
    Olga Starovoyt, a body artist from the city of Chernihiv, painted the chest of her model with a thriving tree with roots climbing down the legs.
    "The most difficult thing was painting the tiny details and painting the background, because it is the first time I have participated in this kind of an event. It is the first time I have had to work with such a large area and size. And it was also difficult to do it in time," Starovoyt said.
    The artists had five hours to create their works, which were then presented to the public.
    "(The most difficult thing) is standing during the whole day because it is very hard. You get very tired, it is very tough work," said one model, whose headgear was reminiscent of a castle.
    Body artist from Kryvy Rih, Aleksandr Vasilev, decorated the belly of his female model with a portrait of an ancient grey-haired warrior.
    Adding the last touches to the sword, Vasilev told Reuters he sees women as guardians of the hearth.
    "This model symbolises, let's say, a joint image of Kievan Rus, it is linked with ancient Slavic culture, linked with modern culture, it is linked let's say with Ukrainian women, that is with the flowers. Ukrainian women are first of all guardians of the hearth," the painter said.
    In the fading light of the sunset fifteen models showed off their styles to the enthusiastic public, and some danced with burning staffs and swords.
    After a warm reception from spectators, the organisers pledged to bring body art to the park next year as well.
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