«Revelation in Odessa: Huge glasses made from automatic bullets will adorn the Venice Biennale»

Unique Art Object Unveiled on Dumskaya Square in Odessa

Today, a one-of-a-kind art piece has made its debut on Dumskaya Square in Odessa — massive glasses crafted from bullet casings. This impressive artistic creation is the result of a collaboration between Ukrainian and Italian artists.

A Collaborative Effort

Our correspondent reports that the sculpture is the brainchild of Odessa artist Mykhailo Reva, who worked alongside Italian designers Antonio Battaglia and Mark Andreoni, founders of the brand Il Barberia. The collaboration also included musician Alex Sino, a Latin Grammy awardee.

The Meaning Behind the Art

Renowned for his metaphorical art, Mykhailo Reva has named his latest creation «Epiphany.» The sculpture features a frame for glasses crafted from bullet casings, some of which are intricately designed as flowers. This detail represents the metamorphosis of destructive power into something beautiful and new. The artwork also showcases the letters «ХВ,» symbolizing the victory of life over death with the Christian phrase «Christ is Risen.»

A Message of Resilience

Reva shared his motivation, saying, «My aim is to be impactful. I seek to raise awareness about the conflict in Ukraine on a global scale through cultural diplomacy. For me, creativity serves as a means to navigate through disasters and express my observations and emotions. The missile strike in Karolino-Bugaz further reinforced the notion that art can be a potent advocate for justice.»

Future Plans

Following its exhibition in Odessa, the sculpture will travel to Italy for the Venice Biennale on May 15. Additionally, arrangements are underway for a partnership agreement between Italy, Ukraine, and UNESCO to restore historical landmarks in Odessa, including the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral damaged during a Russian missile attack in the summer of 2023.