Providing an intimate portrayal of people caught amidst the war, occupation and forced migration, a series of video works from Ukraine offers raw and immediate insights into the filmmakers’ current practices under the conditions of the full scale war. 10 films show the life of people that changed overnight on February 24, when millions of peaceful citizens became victims, spectators and participants of the full scale warfare, humanitarian crisis, volunteer movements, migration and resistance. Made to preserve and develop the evidence, reflections and feelings, all of the video works have been created by visual artists based in Ukraine after the start of the Russian invasion. The program features the works by: Alisa Sizykh, Daria Molokoedova, Daryna Snizhko, Eugene Arlov, Liera Polianskova, Maria Matiashova, Taya Kabaeva, Zoya Laktionova, Marichka Lukianchuk.
Before the screening we heard an introduction by the curator of the video program and the founder of ESI (Emergency Support Initiative) Serge Klymko.
About ESI
Since the first days of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the Kyiv Biennial has launched the Emergency Support Initiative for the members of the artistic and cultural community in Ukraine finding themselves in need. Its main goal is to support people remaining in the country and to provide them with immediate financial relief under the conditions of occupation and/or relocation. ESI supports the art residencies in Ukraine that extended their capacities to host those who fled the war zones and provide members of cultural community with a safe place for life and work. As well as documentary and art projects dedicated to collecting evidence of the war and reflecting on the current situation in Ukraine.
Serge Klymko is a practising curator, cultural manager and researcher working on the intersection of visual and performative art, music and urban ecosystems research. He has curated a number of cultural and art projects in Barcelona, Geneva, Karlsruhe, Kyiv, Moscow, Prague, Tbilisi, Vienna and Warsaw. Serge is the managing director at Kyiv Biennial, an international forum for art, knowledge, and politics that integrates exhibitions and discussion platforms. He is the founder of the Emergency Support Initiative launched at the beginning of the Russian invasion to Ukraine to help the Ukrainian artistic community under the unprecedented conditions. MA in Cultural Studies, based in Kyiv, Ukraine.