Образи дітей у графічному дизайні української діаспори (1945–1989 роки)

Abstract

У статті досліджено особливості зображень дітей на обкладинках періодичних видань повоєнної хвилі української діаспори. З’ясовано, що вони показують не так реальних дівчат і хлопців, як образи “наступного покоління”. Виявлено, що діти дошкільного (та інколи молодшого шкільного) віку зображені у вишитих сорочках, що дає змогу легко ідентифікувати їхню національність і свідчить про збереження “української субстанції” на чужині. Показано, що старші діти, одягнені в мілітаризовані однострої скаутських організацій, запевняють про готовність до боротьби за визволення України.

В статье исследованы особенности изображений детей на обложках периодических изданий послевоенной волны украинской диаспоры. Выяснено, что они показывают не столько реальных девочек и мальчиков, как образы “следующего поколения”. Обнаружено, что дети дошкольного (а иногда младшего школьного) возраста изображены в вышитых рубашках, что дает возможность позволяет легко идентифицировать их национальность и свидетельствует о сохранении “украинской субстанции” на чужбине. Показано, что старшие дети, одетые в милитаризованные униформы скаутских организаций, уверяют о готовности к борьбе за освобождение Украины.

For the mass visual communication in the Ukrainian diaspora communities, images of children were extremely important as almost all the motivations for social work were associated with children. The main task of Ukrainian emigrants – to preserve their national identity abroad – could only be realized through appropriate education of a new generation. Not the real children images, but certain “educational ideals” that mobilized parents, church and community organizations were created. Patriotic education involved well-known artists in the creation of iconic graphic images and their distribution through periodicals. Based on the diaspora periodicals’ covers from 1945–1989 years, this article traces the iconography of Ukrainian children images, focusing on the visualization of national identity. Methods of keeping children in the community included attending national schools, participation in choruses, ensembles, scout organizations, as well as numerous celebrations, concerts, demonstrations. Communication within Ukrainian environment (in the native language) and protection from external influences contributed to the construction of national communities, where the second (and sometimes the third) generation of emigrants preserved their national identity. Ensuring Ukrainian environment for the small kids was easier within a family. On the covers of diaspora periodicals, young children are often depicted in embroidery. For their parents, they are the objects of decoration and evidence of the continuation of the Ukrainian family. The only mission children at this age have is to be Ukrainian and testify about the vitality of the nation. Sometimes national costumes are worn by children of a junior school age. Here they receive their first ideological tasks – to study the history of Ukraine and carry national flag. Such images of junior schoolchildren in folk costumes are transitive since at the middle and high school age embroidered shirt is rather an exception. Most of the periodicals’ covers in the diaspora show school-age children in the uniforms of scout organizations. Because their design has been adapted for scouts all over the world, Ukrainians appear as a part of the global movement. On the covers of periodicals, we see boys and girls who could have illustrated scouts’ publications of almost any country. Their uniforms do not provide any sign of nationality, we recognize it with the help of additional (heraldic) attributes only. Images of Ukrainian children in the uniforms convey the spirit of mobilization, emphasize the consciousness of a special mission and readiness for the “proper time.” Not only in the armed struggle but after the victory, when the liberated country will require qualified state-builders, young people must be prepared to sacrifice themselves for this mission. Echoes of the Second World War and the rhetoric of the Cold War influenced these images of Ukrainian children and youth in visual communication. “Children is our future” – this popular statement conveys the main message of the reviewed designs. In the Ukrainian diaspora, images of children and youth reflected the expectations about future. Both the designers and clients intended to show not so much the real children, but future of the community. On the covers of periodicals, children are never just “children”, they play a role of “the next generation”. They are not engaged in any plays or entertainments. Instead, they study, choose future professions, accompany and imitate the parents and prepare to realize their dreams.