Ukrainian Design Week: MAKHNO’s philosophy of living clay

Kyiv, Mystetskyi Arsenal. As part of the 5th season of Ukrainian Design and Innovations Week, DESIGN HALL took place—a powerful platform for demonstrating key trends in the Ukrainian creative industry. This year, the Makhno Studio stand became a true philosophical manifesto, where tradition and storytelling met eco-innovations.

The main focus of the MAKHNO exhibition was Breathing Blocks — an innovative solution inspired by the architecture of the Ukrainian mud hut. These blocks, suitable for use in load-bearing structures, are made of unfired clay and natural additives (chaff, straw, flax, elderberry, lavender, etc.).

This new eco-friendly product literally embodies the proverb “walls that heal.” They create a unique microclimate in the room, confirming the studio’s commitment to returning to its roots and creating a living space that is an extension of nature.

The stand presented a whole range of philosophically charged art objects:

• Breathing Khmara – a lamp, also made of unfired clay. It is part of the future collection “Tea Confession.” 
• Lions (Lev) – ceramic art objects. These sculptures are guardians of the threshold, a modern reinterpretation of the Slavic symbol of the dog as a protector of boundaries. Their form combines the power of a majestic lion and the loyalty of a dog. Visitors’ reactions varied widely, from “monkeys” and “cerberuses” to the touching “they look so much like my cat.”
• Buddha is a sculpture that acts as the Guardian of Silence. It carries the idea of inner peace and serves as a visual anchor for meditation, transforming the space into a sacred point of the home. His companions are the 3 Spheres of Buddha, symbolizing health, profit, strength, and energy.
• Vyshyvani Dido — specifically Dido Chornobryvets and Dido Bereza. Each Dido in this collection is a unique sculpture-talisman made using the engobe painting technique. They are a dialogue between the past and the present, embodying eternal values that are relevant to our era.

The highlight of the event was the lecture series. The first block was devoted to the topic “Ukrainian design on the world stage — the personal experience of visionary architect Serhii Makhno.” Serhii Makhno spoke about clay as the philosophical foundation of the studio and outlined the strategic direction of our future movement. 

“Clay is a powerful material. Today, it inspires me greatly. It is everywhere: Japan, China, Korea, Europe, and Africa. It is interpreted in different ways, but it is so versatile and alive.”