Tantus amor florum (So Strong is the Passion for Flowers) Print

Born in 1946, Kyiv, Ukraine, Vladimir Byzov won acclaim for his works in hyperrealism, however recently he radically changed his artistic course and turned to creating a series of abstract pieces. According to the artist, “Painting hyper means being outside, painting abstraction — being within.” Vladimir Byzov lived in Germany for over a decade, participating in many exhibitions and securing collectors for his art there. Upon his return to Ukraine, being still faithful to hyperrealism and exhibiting his works in this style, he endeavored experiments with abstract art that eventually captured all his attention. The music of Byzov’s abstract paintings is diverse: from Mozart piano concertos, full of exciting syncopes, to the atonal creations of Alfred Schnittke or even avant-garde jazz. Trained eye may catch Monet’s irises or Kandinsky’s immaterial human figures in his abstractions. Good ear may sense Tom Waits’ narrativity or explosiveness of Colin Stetson’s saxophone. Viewer’s mind is tempted with the new sides of irrationalism. Nevertheless in the end it becomes clear: if art is first of all play (theatrical roles are played, music is played, writer plays his characters in life to prove their credibility), then Byzov plays painting. Performed by him, it becomes music of color and form that is visibly perceived.