Abstract of the accomplished photographic work
What is the corner looking at?
Kyiv, Ukraine 2019
In this work, I examine the territory as a living mechanism with multiple socio-cultural functions, one of which is its ability to absorb social phenomena and reflect them in the urban landscape. Urban spaces and architectural elements are embedded in our reality, objectively conveying history, traditions, and culture. Everything around us is a result of human interaction with the environment.
Description of the project you intend to pursue through the Prize
“There” seems closer than it was
In 2022, after the russian invasion, I was forced to leave Ukraine with my family, bringing only the essentials—personal belongings and a few archival boxes filled with film negatives.
As I revisited these materials, I focused on the landscapes I had photographed near Kyiv—suburban spaces that, for years, had remained unchanged. Now, living in France, I recognize nearly identical environments, reminiscent of those I left behind in Ukraine. This visual similarity led me to question how landscapes exist beyond geographical and political divisions.
In this work, I explore the identity of landscapes. By juxtaposing similar environments from two different countries, I aim to reveal their unconditioned form and fundamental nature. Ultimately, under the impact of state mechanisms and imposed definitions, the notion of “Landscape” inevitably transforms into “Territory,” acquiring meaning through shifting borders, conflicts, and ideological narratives.