“The Art of Saving Lives” & Christie’s
Curators
American nonprofit Revival Foundation, Washington D.C.
“The Art of Saving Lives” & Christie’s
Unprecedented “The Art of Saving Lives” charity fundraiser organized by American nonprofit Revival Foundation, Washington D.C. in collaboration with Christie’s to support Ukraine was held at prestigious Raphael Hall of Victoria & Albert Museum in London (UK), a symbolic choice of venue since the contemporary Renaissance of Ukrainian art was represented in a room hung with paintings by a Master of the Italian Renaissance on the eve of the 33rd Ukraine’s Day of Independence – August 22, 2024.
Inspired by the art, positive collective energy and the power of humanity Aksenia Krupenko, Founder of “The Art of Saving Lives” and President of the Revival Foundation, Washington D.C., USA created an idea of the new format of charity ever done before. By engaging the five senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch and intuition, “The Art of Saving Lives” charity fundraiser was born with a mission of cultural unity through Art, Music, Fashion, and Creativity, fostering connections between Ukraine and countries around the globe on the path toward humanity.
“The Art of Saving Lives” supports the diplomacy culture Mission to unite the world through Art, Music, Fashion, and Creativity. The Art of Saving Lives is on a mission of cultural unity, fostering connections between Ukraine and countries worldwide on the path toward humanity.
“The Art of Saving Lives” is a unique charity project has five main goals: to empower creatives, preserve heritage, educate creators, facilitate cultural exchange, and, most importantly, catalyze a creative Renaissance.
“The Art of Saving Lives” Fundraising Charity Auction at the V&A featured Ukraine’s New Renaissance Movement and the first ever presentation of Oksana Mas’s “Altar of Nations’” from the 54th Venice Biennale in 3D in the V&A Raphael Hall.
Oksana Mas’s “Altar of Nations’” (POST-VS-PROTO-RENAISSANCE) was presented for the first time in 3D in the V&A Raphael Hall as well as the World First Immersive Documentary Project MURALS by Ukrainian 3D artist Artem Ivanenko and team from Poland, USA and Spain, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. MURALS is an immersive documentary experience based on Banksy’s artworks created on the walls of war-destroyed houses in the Kyiv region of Ukraine.
Moisei Bondarenko, Ukrainian violinist and soldier of the Armed forces of Ukraine performs during charity Gala night in V&A Museum in London, UK.
“Creation cannot stop the bullets, but creation is a way to move forward. I believe that the world can be united through art, music and creativity, and our contribution is a catalyst. Art of Saving Lives is a project that declares the most prestigious artwork in the world is: human life.” – declares Aksenia Krupenko, Founder of “The Art of Saving Lives” and President of the Revival Foundation, Washington D.C., USA.
Aksenia Krupenko and Ukrainian creative team at the Charity fundraising Gala night at Victoria & Albert Museum in London, UK, August 22, 2024
Aksenia Krupenko speech declares the most prestigious artwork in the world is human life, Victoria & Albert Museum in London, UK, August 22, 2024
Ukraine, the homeland of Krupenko, has been fighting for its freedom since 2014 when the Russian illegal referendum caused the annexation of Crimea, military conflict and occupation of Donbass and on February 24, 2022 the full-scale invasion of Russian forces into Ukraine. Daily air bombardments have caused thousands of civilians’ deaths. Due to the newest published data of Statista Research Department in Ukraine the number of civilians killed by Russians raised to 11,520 including 633 kids and 23,640 were seriously injured including 1,551 kids.
Aksenia, being living in the USA for 15 years, is constantly supporting Ukrainians with humanitarian aid, especially from the beginning of the full-scale invasion, and systematically unite philanthropists all around the globe to support innocent people.
- Since March 2022, the Revival Foundation, Washington D.C., USA has sent 13 Airbus 330s, 35 sea containers, and 650 tons of humanitarian aid and medical supplies to Ukraine.
- All hospitals in Ukrainian critical zones continuously receive medical equipment and supplies.
“Food for Good” and Medical Aid Delivery to Ukraine by Revival Foundation, Washington, D.C. Since March 2022, the Revival Foundation Washington D.C., USA has sent 13 Airbus 330s, 35 sea containers, and 650 tons of humanitarian aid and medical supplies to Ukraine.
Donald R. Hoffman, President and CEO EXCEL Services Corporation, American Nuclear Society President, International Nuclear Energy Academy, philanthropist and donor of Revival Foundation, Washington D.C., USA.
Featured by the American Forbes Aksenia has defeated the bureaucracy and delivered humanitarian aid effectively and in a timely manner, in accordance with her motto, “Time is Life”. She explains: “There was no bureaucracy, no paperwork. We simply trusted people’s words and moved forward with the plans.”
Aksenia Krupenko, Reception with the Pope Francis, Vatican, November 2023.
Ms. Krupenko combined her passion towards humanitarian work with her interest in art and has recently founded “The Art of Saving Lives” charity project. The project is a mission of cultural unity, fostering connections between Ukraine and countries around the world on the path toward humanity.
Aksenia conceived “The Art of Saving Lives” humanitarian project as a way of bringing together Ukrainian artists, filmmakers and creators representing Ukraine’s New Renaissance Movement, for a silent and live auction raising vital funds.
The auction was presided over by Natalia Voinova, associate director of Christie’s Auctioneers.
The auction was presided over by Natalia Voinova, associate director of Christie’s Auctioneers.
Guests from 15 countries gathered at the V&A for the fundraising Gala, and the event provided a unique opportunity to present Ukrainian Modern Art, vibrant Music and Creativity, fulfilling Akesnia’s belief that “creativity is bespoke dialogue”.
Dzvin, A Ukrainian vocalist project created in March 2023 unites 7 professional singers from different regions of Ukraine affected by the war.
Alex Smirnov, a Ukrainian musician multi-instrumentalist who fled the war to UK performed with the flute transforming the space and enlivened souls during “The Art of Saving Lives” charity Gala.
Oleksandr Leschenko, a Ukrainian award-winning dancer living in France, finalist of “America’s Got Talent” and “Ukraine’s Got Talent” performed at the “The Art of Saving Lives” Gala.
“The Art of Saving Lives” digital team created a digital vision of the world through a human eye.
British media, including Art daily, London Daily, Culturalee, American RoastBrief and the prominent American charity platform Candid., have called “The Art of Saving Lives” charity project the beginning of the XXI century Renaissance.
American Forbes noted that Ukrainian culture is a powerful weapon in the fight against Russia and noted the high level of holding “The Art of Saving Lives” and the presentation of Ukraine at the highest international level.
To support the extraordinary event showcasing Ukraine’s rich history, vibrant present, and promising future, the key Ukrainian artists have donated their artworks to the auction. Among them are Oksana Mas, Zhanna Kadyrova, Arsen Savadov, Nazar Bilyk, Artem Volokitin, Lina Condes, Meshi/Kepler, Kyryl Yelchyts and Volodymr Koziuk.
For the first time ever at the auction was presented the artwork from the Ukrainian Pavilion at the 54th Venice Biennale – “Angels” by Oksana Mas. It was sold for unprecedent £65,000.
“Angels” by Oksana Mas, Mosaic panel, 2560 wooden, painted egg-shaped elements, 78 ⁴⁷/₆₄ x 118 ⁷/₆₄ in. (200 x 300 cm), 2010. This artwork is a part of the POST-VS-PROTO-RENAISSANCE (The Altar of Nations) project that presented Ukraine at the 54th Venice Biennale (Italy) in 2011.
Another art object, a “Quantum Prayer. Red” by Oksana Mas made of aluminum engine BMW V12 and Murano glass from the series created by the author in Italy exclusively for the “Glasstress 2013” show at the 55th Venice Biennale was sold during the gala night for £35,000 together with the violin of Moisei Bondarenko, a Ukrainian violinist and soldier of the Armed forces of Ukraine, who donated his violin for auction. Philanthropists Donald and Johanna Hoffman purchased the violin and the “Quantum Prayer”, promptly returning the violin back to Moisei, claiming it needs to be played for Ukrainian people and returned to me after the war.
“Quantum Prayer. Red” by Oksana Mas, aluminum engine BMW V12, Murano glass, 31 ¹/₂ x 27 ⁹/₁₆ x 27 ⁹/₁₆ in. (80 x 70 x 70 cm), 75 kg, 2013. The Artwork is from the series created by author in Italy exclusively for the “Glasstress 2013” exhibition at the 55th Venice Biennale (Italy). THERE ARE ONLY 2 ITEMS IN THE WORLD: First is in the collection of MAGA Museum, Milan, Italy and the Second was presented exclusively at “The Art of Saving Lives” charity fundraiser in V&A Museum in London, UK.
Moisei Bondarenko, Ukrainian violinist and soldier of the Armed forces of Ukraine performs during charity Gala night in V&A Museum in London, UK
Philanthropists Donald and Johanna Hoffman purchased the violin and the “Quantum Prayer”, promptly returning the violin back to Moisei, claiming it needs to be played for Ukrainian people and returned to them back after the end of the war.
“I have cried only twice since the full-scale war began. The first time was when I handed over the most precious possession of my life – my violin – to be sold at “The Art of Saving Lives” charity fundraiser, in support of my brothers and sisters in Ukrainian army. The second time was when it was sold for a significant sum… and then returned to me back by Donald Hoffman in an hour during Gala night“. – Moisei Bondarenko.
Top lots auctioned off on “The Art of Saving Lives” charity auction night include:
· Oksana Mas “Angels”, £65 000
· Oksana Mas “Quantum Prayer. Red”, £35 000
· Zhanna Kadyrova “Palianytsia”, £9 300
· Arsen Savadov “Danae”, £40 000
· Nazar Bilyk “Reveling”, £11 000
· Meshi / Kepler “She is Protected. First People. Origin of Love”, £7 000
· Artem Volokitin “Still Life in a Stone Niche”, Duplix, £20 000
· Lina Condes “The Thinker”, £30 000
· Kyryl Yelchyts “Through the Darkness to the Light”, £7 000
· Volodymyr Koziuk “Synergy of Consciousness”, £11 000
· War Fragments Museum, £10 700
Guests from 15 countries of the world joined and participated in the Gala auction “The Art of Saving Lives” in Victoria & Albert Museum in London presenting how the Art could unite people.
Philanthropists, Art Collectors, and Humanitarians from around the globe joined and participated in the Gala auction “The Art of Saving Lives” in Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Ivor Ichikowitz, a philanthropist and art collector from South Africa, along with Olga Iakovenko, a philanthropist and art collector, purchased for £11,000 the unique artwork “The Synergy of Consciousness”, created through the collective energy of the Ukrainian people, the artists Volodymyr Koziuk including a 2.5-year-old child born on the day the war began, soldiers, and 20 artists from the war zone. The philanthropists have also donated a luxury LOT for the charity Gala fundraising night: a 4-night stay for two in Villa style tented suite in magical MOLORI MASHUMA, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, Southeast Africa, which was sold for £32,000.
2.5-year-old child born on the day the war began in front of “The Synergy of Consciousness” artwork of collective energy of Ukrainian people by Volodymyr Koziuk.
Adam Kharlamovych, a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and co-founder of the non-profit organization “Algorithm of Actions”, that unites the business, tech and creative community of Lutsk and enables sustainable and innovative development of the region presented the new generation of Ukrainian philanthropy at “The Art of Saving Lives” charity Gala night at Victoria & Albert Museum in London, UK.
A highlight of the evening was a joint appearance by Ukrainian musician Evgeny Khmara and Ukrainian Chef Yurii Kovryzhenko, who auctioned off a concert and private dinner for £24,000.
The eatable golden eggs on canvas with creams a-la oil colors by “The Art of Saving Lives” Chef Yurii Kovryzhenko symbolized the Intuition. Just a new life is born in the middle of the egg, a Revival will begin in Ukraine after the war.
Evgeny Khmara, Ukrainian composer, virtuoso pianist, and acclaimed film score writer performs at the exclusive “The Art of Saving Lives” charity Gala night.
Ukrainian Chef Yurii Kovryzhenko presented immersive gastronomy experience of progressive Ukrainian Renaissance Food in pairing with Ukrainian traditional drink. Presentation of traditional Chicken Kyiv with eatable art of old Kyiv.
Handmade bread with name of the Ukrainian war zone city.
The “Art of Six Senses” dinner experience by Ukrainian well-known Chef living in Dubai, UAE, Yurii Kovryzhenko presented a gastronomic journey through Six Senses at the Gala dinner named “Not Last Supper”. The Vision, Smell, Taste, Touch, Hearing and Intuition were presented by the core Ukrainian national dishes as Banoshe, Borsch, Kyiv Cutlet, Medovuk and Golden eatable eggs with the World inside colored in Ukrainian yellow & blue national flag colors symbolizing the rebirth of Ukraine and the World after the end of the war.
Molecular bar “The Laboratory of the new World” with cocktails by Ukrainian Spirit Vodka
Proceeds from the charity auction will be used to create the “Healing Garden”, a unique, interactive, immersive art spaces providing art therapy for children and adults in bomb shelters in Ukraine. As well as funding the “Healing Garden” art spaces, proceeds from the fundraising auction will be used to purchase essential equipment for the bomb shelters, such as medicine and food.
It is important to note that the funds raised during the Gala night will also contribute to covering the expenses of sea container deliveries, each costing $6,500. In 2024 alone, 14 container deliveries to Ukraine have already been organized. Since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine the Revival Foundation, Washington D.C. systematically collects Medical Aid from American Pharmaceutical donors and organizes delivery to Ukraine. It is one of the foundation’s core priorities to organize weekly supply delivery to those in need in Ukraine affected by the russian military forces.
Moreover, the proceeds will support Ukrainian artists participating the auction and the artists who continue their creative work during the ongoing hostilities and war across all regions of Ukraine.
A team of talented Ukrainian creatives and creators living all over the world, including filmmakers, producers, art curators, content writers, fashion designers, sound creators, brand designers, logistics managers, chefs, musicians and artists were collected bit by bit by Aksenia Krupenko to make “The Art of Saving Lives” charity fundraising event possible, among them are:
- Oksana Dudko, Miami, USA – Executive Producer
- Artem Ivanenko, Irpin, Ukraine – Digital Content Creator, Creator of MURALS
- Maksym Dudko, Kyiv, Ukraine – Digital Content and Sound Creator
- Nataliya Vyetrova, Washington, D.C., USA – Costume Content Creator
- Yurii Kovryzhenko, Dubai, UAE – Executive Chef
- Ostap Khytruk, Lisbon, Portugal – Digital Content Creator, Magic Innovations
- Olena Speranska, New York, USA – Live & Digital Auction Content Manager
- Kateryna Orlovska, London, UK – Fashion Atelier
- Ihor Kokhan, Kyiv, Ukraine – Brand Designer
- Nataliia Horbenko, London, UK – Logistic manager London
- Vadym Granovskiy, London, UK – Barista
- Evgeny Khmara, Kyiv, Ukraine – Piano Music Performance
- Dzvin, London, UK – Live Ukrainian Songs Performance
- Alex Smirnov, London, UK – Flute Music Performance
- Oleksandr Leschenko, Paris, France – Dance Performance
Partners:
UK: Christie’s London; Wise Productions; AP & Co.; Pinstripes and Peonies;
Options Great Hire; The Golborne Collection
Ukraine: Nadia Foundation; Charity Foundation “Battalion Volunteer”; Ukrainian Spirit, Lutzk Ukraine/London, UK; Mural UA; Magic Innovations; Ukrainian Transport company Hileya
USA: Revival Foundation, Washington D.C.; Art Shield Foundation, USA/UK; Ukraine Volya Foundation, Washington D.C.
Southeast Africa: MOLORI MASHUMA, Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe (Rora Private Collection)
Revival Foundation, Washington D.C.
Since March 2022, the Revival Foundation has dispatched a total of 13 Airbus 330s, 35 sea containers, and 650 tons of humanitarian aid and medical supplies to Ukraine. A continuous stream of medical equipment and supplies is reaching all hospitals in critical zones across Ukraine.
“Food for Good” initiative is a socioeconomic program that has supplied food to numerous Ukrainian families in conflict zones. The program solves the following problems:
- Support Ukrainian producers and manufactures
- Securing employment by job retention Supports survival of local food manufacturing businesses
- Reduces challenges for wartime government
- Creates social coherence among all parties involved in the project
- From local manufacturer to volunteer, to recipient of aid
- Drastically reduces cost of transaction
Aksenia Krupenko received a nomination to the International Order of Saint Stanislas, affirming her dedication to ideals such as humanism, charity, protection of human rights, and freedom. The work of the Revival Foundation, including coverage by numerous American and Ukrainian media outlets, has been featured in publications like Forbes magazine.
Article by Olena Speranska, Art Curator, Cataloger, “The Art of Saving Lives” Live & Digital Auction Content Manager
Photography credit: Serhii Ziniak, Mariia Hrytsko, Daria Agafonova.
