Ukraine is perhaps best known among American audiences as the country where the Orange Revolution happened. This historic moment occurred from late November 2004 to January 2005, and marked the beginning of a new political culture and the emergence of a civil society willing and ready to actively participate in the democratic process. To date, however, there has been very little exposure of the sociopolitical and economic changes happening in Ukraine internationally. Similarly, Ukrainian artists are little known outside of Moscow.

Therefore, to enhance understanding and appreciation of contemporary life and art in Ukraine, and to stimulate a cultural exchange of ideas, perspectives and experience, we have invited Ukrainian artists Lesja Zajac and Olexander Gnilitsky (a.k.a., Institution of Unstable Thoughts) to stay and work in Los Angeles for an extended stay from February 4 - March 17, 2008.

Lesja Zajac and Olexander Gnilitsky are very active and respected in Kyiv, and have inspired younger generations of Ukrainian artists. Gnilitsky incorporates painting, video, poetry, drawing, photography, kinetics, and many other available means and methodologies into his practice. Zajac is trained as a film and sound editor and brings her extensive knowledge of animation and new media into the collaborative projects she realizes with Olexander under the umbrella of the collective they founded together and with three other members, the Institution of Unstable Thoughts, which has been active since 1996. Olexander’s and Lesja’s independent practices are enhanced by their collaborations. Their ideas are fluid and well served by their adept use of both traditional and new media.