THE CREATIVE WORK OF UKRAINIAN 3D ARTISTS OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE 21ST CENTURY AS A REFLECTION ON THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

Abstract

The article examines the works of Ukrainian 3D artists working in the field of three-dimensional graphics and creating works dedicated to the themes of the Russian-Ukrainian war. In particular, the study examines visual images created by domestic digital artists using 3D technologies as a tool for the visual embodiment of the authors' personal experience in experiencing the consequences of war and military reality, documenting trauma, loss, forming artistic narratives of modern digital art, and contributing to the spread of Ukrainian cultural identity in the international art space. The aim of the article is to identify the main forms and methods of visual comprehension of war events in modern digital 3D art of Ukraine. The main tasks of the article are the analysis of artistic projects that embody the events of the war, integrate elements of national symbolism and create new forms of communication in the digital environment; outlining the features of the artistic reflection of the Russian-Ukrainian war in the work of Ukrainian digital artists of the wartime; structuring creative projects according to the characteristics of artistic images and their typology. The methodological basis of the research is based on art history and interpretive approaches, which allow us to consider digital works not only as objects of art, but also as elements of modern cultural discourse. Within the framework of the scientific research, such methods of scientific analysis were used as a source method for analyzing sources, visual analysis of works of art, comparative analysis of artistic approaches, and contextual analysis of cultural and artistic processes. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive analysis of the work of Ukrainian 3D artists and their reflection on the Russian-Ukrainian war. The work is the first attempt to structure and typify the artistic practices of domestic 3D artists, outlining the main areas of their creative activity, which arose in response to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The main visual means of 3D works dedicated to the themes of resistance and heroism of the Ukrainian people during the full-scale Russian aggression are considered, the trend of combining 3D graphics and digital painting in the creation of 3D artistic works on the theme of war is highlighted. The use of 3D art as a tool of cultural communication, social interaction and international representation of Ukraine is identified and substantiated. The study expands the understanding of the functioning of contemporary art, focuses on the transformation of the creative environment of Ukrainian 3D artists in wartime, and highlights the trend towards the formation of a Ukrainian-language educational space and the strengthening of cultural selfidentification processes. Results and conclusions. The study analyzed the works of contemporary Ukrainian digital artists, including D. Pozherauskas, D. Tsyperko, V. Palyanytsia, V. Hryhoriv, D. Mykhaylyk, T. Barvytska, and other 3D artists. The analysis revealed the following forms of reflection on the events of the war in the work of Ukrainian 3D artists: the creation of artistic images of war, the implementation of individual and group charitable digital projects and NFT initiatives aimed at supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine by Ukrainian society or the international community, the development of military symbols and 3D objects with Ukrainian symbols for the gaming industry, as well as the development of a professional Ukrainian-language educational environment in the field of studying computer graphics. It was emphasized that the active use of 3D tools in the areas of digital heraldry, digital sculpture, and digital painting was revealed. Special attention is paid to creative initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine during the war, in particular, the 3D project “I’m Fine” and the charitable NFT project “Avatars for Ukraine”. It has been established that 3D graphics allow artists to combine individual experience with collective memory. In addition, the results of the study demonstrate a significant expansion of the functions of digital art in the field of socio-cultural interactions in wartime. It has also been established that the development of Ukrainian-language educational content and distancing from the Russian information space contribute to the formation of a new professional identity of Ukrainian 3D artists and the strengthening of their role in the global art environment. The practical significance lies in the possibility of using the obtained results in further art historical, cultural and interdisciplinary research on digital art and visual culture of wartime. The obtained results can be used in the development of educational programs, courses and methodological materials on digital art. In addition, the conclusions of the study have practical value for artists themselves and representatives of the creative industries, as they outline effective ways to integrate national symbolism and socially significant topics into artistic practice. The information can be used in the development of cultural projects aimed at the international representation of Ukraine and the development of digital art.