What does “decolonizing” mean in the context of graphic design and typography? How do you untangle historical narratives and find relevant context around canonical pieces of design? How does this relate to the Russo-Ukrainian war? This lecture will explore these complex questions and discuss the ongoing effort to correct Russian and Soviet colonialism in Ukrainian graphic design and typography. It will also shed light on the vibrant and rich history of design in Ukraine, past and present. 

 

The "Decolonizing Ukrainian Design" lecture coincides with the exhibit "Слава Україні! Slava Ukraini! Glory to Ukraine! Posters from the Odesa City Letters Project,"  on display in the MICA Brown Center (3rd floor gallery) from February 19-March 15, 2024, to raise awareness about the war in Ukraine and to mark the second anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion on February 24th. The exhibit includes a selection of bold and beautiful posters from OdesaCityLetters, a museum devoted to lettering legacy in Odesa, Ukraine, and including powerful, moving, and witty statements about Ukrainian courage and culture in the face of Russian aggression. 

 

 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Public lecture: 5:15-6:30pm
MICA Brown Center, Room 320

• “Connecting Baltimore and Ukraine,” Karina Mandell, Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee
• “Decolonizing Ukrainian Design,” Alexander Tochilovsky, The Cooper Union

Opening reception: 4:30-7:00pm 
MICA Brown Center, 3rd Floor

• Featuring Ukrainian treats and musicians Sasha & Volodymyr Sukhin.

 

The OdesaCityLetters exhibits, opening, and public lecture are made possible thanks to our collaborating partners: The Cooper Union, MICA Digital Print Lab, MICA Graduate Studies | GradMix, MICA Graphic Design, MICA Provost’s Office, Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee, Baltimore Center for Architecture & Design, Ecological Design Collective, AIGA Baltimore, and BMoreArt.