Myroslav Vayda

Vayda was born in 1977 in Velykyi Bereznyi in Zakarpattia Region in Ukraine. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Lvov. He works in the field of performance art, land art, installation art, painting, video and photography. He is a co-founder and a member of the artistic group Coma (2007). In his projects Vayda uses natural materials such as soil, water, salt, grass and sunlight. His works were exhibited at the Performance Arsenal Festival (2009) and EPAF (2010). In 2010 Vayda collaborated with Jarosław Koziara on art projects realised in connection with the European Days of Good Neighbourliness.

The Solar hour-glass was created by Myroslav Vayda on a rock shelf in the quarry in Kazimierz Dolny in a characteristic place locally known as “the Mount of Thunders”. The installation consists of a 12-metre vertical mast, parallel metal strings fastened to the mast and to the ground, and round brass plates reflecting sunlight which are attached to the strings. It resembles a giant harp strummed by the gusts of wind, which shimmers and rhythmically pulsates with light, casting reflections on the limestone rocks. The shining brass mirrors change their appearance depending on the time of the day and weather conditions. The installation is a monumental and mighty structure that appears to be surprisingly delicate and light. The installation is not only an exhibit overlooking the quarry but it resonates with the wind, rain and sunlight and reflects how the nature changes.

The artist focuses on the sensation of a sudden admiration of the beauty of nature which can be experienced, for example, when observing sunrays piercing through the clouds or an exceptionally picturesque sunset. He underlines the moment of a direct contact and dialogue between man and nature. The Solar hour-glass is a representation of communion with nature.