Breaking News: “Ukraine Comics-Life in the War Zone” Exhibition Opens in Erlangen
Even before the exhibition “Ukraine Comics-Life in the War Zone” made its debut at the International Comic Salon Erlangen in 2024, it was hoped that it would serve as a contemporary witness to a past war. However, the works now on display in the showroom: Comic + Cartoon depict the present-day realities of the Ukrainian conflict. Tonight marks the official opening of the exhibition, which will run with an extensive accompanying program until November 2.
The Exhibition and Its Impact
Curator Titus Ackermann believes that the exhibition brings to light the millions of personal stories behind the war. He developed a book with 22 comic artists, each telling their individual war story through drawings. Ackermann, along with Dr. Alexander Braun and Sophia Paplowski, the head of the showroom: Comic + Cartoon, selected works that are now on display at Max-von-Der-Grün-Platz in Dortmund.
Despite the exhibition’s powerful content, Ackermann wanted to highlight the stories that did not make it into the show. One such comic, displayed near the entrance, depicts an artist who bids farewell to his tablet as he is called to the front. Next to it hangs one of the few originals, a “drawn explanation” that Ackermann says “roughly mixes up Ukrainian history” to include both Ukrainian and European perspectives. The brothers Leo and Anton Reznik provided the original artwork for the exhibition, unlike other artists who are represented through their published work. “It is simply no longer possible to publish normally,” explains Ackermann.
The War as an Individual Trauma
The exhibition delves into the trauma experienced by the people, exploring the conflict faced by Ukrainian women who are not obligated to go to the front but feel a responsibility for their country and children. It also examines how everyday life continues for comic artists amidst the war. Sophia Paplowski, the showroom manager, hopes that this war will soon end, noting that these comics will serve as a reminder of what was. Titus Ackermann praises the quality of the drawings, stating, “These are simply fantastic work.”
The exhibition also features various objects created in connection with the war in Ukraine. One notable piece is an image of a saint holding a rocket launcher, which Christian Boris uses to raise funds for people in Ukraine through memes.
The Supporting Program
The exhibition itself is a form of memory work, for which Titus Ackermann thanks the city of Dortmund for their support. The accompanying program includes lectures, films, and workshops, such as a protest poster workshop with artist Anna Sarvira on September 13. Today at 6 p.m., the official opening will take place in the “Studio B” of the city and state library, with an introduction by Titus Ackermann and music by Svitlana Novak and the bandura trio “Melody.”
The exhibition “Ukraine Comics-Life in the War Zone” offers a unique perspective on the ongoing conflict, providing a platform for artists to share their experiences and raise awareness about the human cost of war.
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