Announcing first grantees from SAFE Open call in july 2026
We are pleased to introduce the first grantees selected through the Ukrainian Museum’s SAFE open call in July 2026.
Why Do Mascarons Cry? is a heritage-preservation initiative founded by artist and active-duty servicemember Oleksandr Len, curator Anastasiia Kuzmenko, and veteran and conservator Danylo Gurin. The initiative brings together architects, researchers, artists, and local communities in Kyiv to explore how the preservation of historic and war-damaged buildings can become an active, community-based practice.
During its spring 2026 residency, participants studied pre-1917 historic sites including Yefremov Dacha, Bradtman Dacha, and Barban Estate, while taking part in educational programs, conservation workshops, and volunteer preservation efforts led by guest curators Dasha Korba, Polina Pyskurova and Tetiana Tadai. The program also initiated planning for the future restoration of damaged mosaics near the Hryhorii Skovoroda monument in Podil.
Participants of the art residency. Photo: Olesia Saienko
SAFE will support their post-residency exhibition at the National Art Museum of Ukraine, to be presented when the museum reopens following damage caused by Russian strikes in May.
Read the full interview in Ukrainian with Oleksandr Len and Danylo Gurin.