Nikita Kadan 'Tryvoha' in Unlimited | Art Basel 16-21.06.2026

Nikita Kadan, Tryvoha (Sirens and the Mast), 2023. With the support of ‘In Flanders Fields’ museum, Ieper & Galerie Transit Mechelen

Voloshyn Gallery Kyiv/Miami will present Tryvoha (The Sirens and the Mast), an installation by Ukrainian artist Nikita Kadan, in the Unlimited sector, booth U20, of Art Basel 2026. The sector is curated by Ruba Katrib. Art Basel will take place in Basel from 18 to 21 June, with preview days scheduled for 16-17 June, 2026.

Tryvoha (The Sirens and the Mast) is a sound installation that combines elements of opera with the sound of an air raid siren. The work reinterprets the sound of the air raid alarm through a reference to the Sirens of ancient Greek mythology.

The installation consists of a circular translucent white curtain and a metal rod positioned at its centre. The sound unfolds in waves, alternating with brief pauses. The audio component was composed by Roman Grygoriv and Illia Razumeiko and performed by Ukrainian mezzo-soprano Lena Belkina.

The title refers to the Ukrainian word tryvoha, which means both an air raid alarm and a state of anxiety.

Tryvoha (The Sirens and the Mast) that explores the intersections of history, memory, and the current Ukrainian landscape. It recreates the air-raid signal — a familiar part of the Ukrainian soundscape, through the voice of an opera singer. The reinterpreted image of the sirens emerges not only as a warning sign of danger but also as a temptation to remain vulnerable amidst ongoing destruction. Both the mythological creature and the sound of a warning signalling danger are interpreted as signifiers of death. A longing for death does not negate life; on the contrary, it highlights its intensity – a life lived alongside the constant awareness of its possible loss.
Nikita Kadan’s works are held in major public collections worldwide, including Centre Pompidou, Tate Modern, Pinakothek der Moderne, MUMOK Vienna, and ICA Miami. A member of the artist group R.E.P. (Revolutionary Experimental Space) and the curatorial and activist collective Hudrada. His recent exhibitions include solo and group shows at Castello di Rivoli, MUMOK Vienna, Galerie Transit in Mechelen Belgium, Galerie Poggi in Paris, and the National Art Museum of Ukraine. He has participated in the Venice Biennale, Art Basel Paris, and Frieze New York.

Unlimited is Art Basel’s sector dedicated to large-scale projects that extend beyond the format of a standard fair booth. It features monumental installations, sculptures, video works, performances, and other projects that require expanded exhibition space.