This month witnessed the completion of the massive “Future” Triptych in Minsk, Belarus. The project, initiated by Urban Myths, consists of “three huge murals on the walls of 12-story buildings near the wide road in Minsk, which is a kind of ‘gateway of the city’ on the west side,” according to a press release by the organization. “Three artists from three different countries will create their work based on their impressions of Belarus, which is now changing due to active youth and the development of high-tech industries,” the release also explains.
Creation of the “Future” triptych began earlier this Fall, with the first contribution provided by Serbian artist Artez. When we reported on his mural, titled ‘Precious Things” / “Freelance,” earlier this month, we noted that Urban Myths is distinct in its approach to adorning Minsk with street art with its focus on innovation and bringing international artists to paint without preliminary sketches, ensuring their works stem from genuine impressions of Minsk in its natural state.
In completing the triptych, Urban Myths utilized some homegrown talent, enlisting Belarusian artist Mutus to contribute a mural titled “Digital World.” Urban Myths explains that this work “is dedicated to the connection of global communications, nature and human life.”
The artist’s work regularly “combines realistic images and melancholy plots permeated with symbolism.” Here, Mutus depicts a girl holding a string attached to a constellation “which looks like a network of global connections or blockchain.” Her face is solemn, as if she understands the importance of the celestial object she controls. The press release from Urban Myths writes that “this resembles the plot of Slavic mythology about the goddess Mokosh, a symbol of life’s wealth and abundance, whose image is associated with spinning and weaving, as well as fate and crafts.”
“Digital World” is vibrant and lifelike. It blends the natural forestry below the girl with the abstract technological heavens above her. She, the lone human figure, is the link between those two realms. As a result, “The whole picture is a reflection on the harmonious combination of the traditional way of life, technology and nature.”
Catalonian artist Slim Safont offered the triptych’s final piece, with his work “A Different Direction.” Urban Myths writes that “Artworks by Safont are always connected with the social relationships.” As such, Safont’s new mural highlights familial relationships along with themes of growth/development. “A Different Direction” depicts a young child, pushed in a stroller by his mother, discovering more about the world that surrounds him.
The mural’s press release points out that “The model for the picture is a real boy, [a] young citizen of Minsk. Light and shadow play an important role in the artwork: while the mother is in the shadow, the child’s face is illuminated with the light, which he reaches with great interest.” Safont’s work “Represents the desire of the new Belarusian generation to propose new paths and follow new directions, that are different from those their ancestors followed. This young generation is interested in evolving and proposing new ways of seeing reality, this new vision is different from the direction imposed by the system and authority.”
In doing so, it follows the other murals’ examples by acknowledging the economic shifts that have taken place in Belarus over last two decades. The country has become Central Eastern Europe’s IT powerhouse, and its exports for services in this field have grown 52-fold over the past fifteen years. This development has resulted in a significant change in how Belarusian citizens perceive their place in the world. Urban Myths notes that “Due to the close proximity to EU countries,” along with their rising innovative reputation, “young Belarusians successfully use their location for active cultural and knowledge exchange.”
With its incomprehensible size, symbolic location, and profound themes, the “Future” triptych offers a meaningful new face to a city in transition. Furthermore, by inviting international talents, Urban Myths makes a profound step towards establishing Minsk, and Belarus at large, as an epicenter not only for technological innovation, but for cultural advancement as well. Young people truly are forging a new soul for the city, and the new art taking it by storm proves a testament to this infusion of fresh life. Minsk has a bright future in store, available for all who make the pilgrimage to witness its growth for themselves.
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