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Germany
Berlin
2018
37
English
English
In a nutshell
Why should you watch this?
Tobias Zielony’s “Maskirovka” is a compelling reflection on the resilience and creativity of Kyiv’s queer techno scene, resonating profoundly in today’s world marked by social and political upheaval. Set against the backdrop of the post-Maidan era, this exhibition underscores the ongoing struggle for identity and belonging in the face of repression and misinformation, themes that echo in various global contexts today. By employing the concept of “maskirovka”—a tactic of deception used in conflict—Zielony captures how both artists and activists navigate the complexities of expression and resistance. His photographs and dynamic animated film form a visual narrative that invites critical reflection on the intersection of culture, politics, and personal agency. As societies grapple with fragmentation and polarization, “Maskirovka” reminds us of the power of art to forge connections, challenge norms, and provoke dialogue, making it an essential commentary on contemporary struggles for freedom.
Curator
Alexander Koch
Bio
Alexander Koch is a curator, galerist, writer, and cultural mediator. In 2008 he co-founded KOW, a Berlin based gallery specialized on socially oriented art, representing international artists such as Hiwa K, Chto Delat?, Tobias Zielony. Since 2008 Koch is also co-initiator and chairman of the NEW PATRONS program in Germany. This international network for cultural mediation and self-organization offers citizens the possibility to commission art projects as a response to their social concerns. Since 2013 Koch started New Patrons initiatives in South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria, Tunesia, and India. Since 2017 he is the founding director of the German New Patrons Society (Geselleschaft der Neuen Auftraggeber).
Artist
Tobias Zielony
Bio
Tobias Zielony is a German photographer and filmmaker recognized for his evocative portrayals of young people on society’s fringes. For over 20 years, he has documented suburban environments across Canada, England, Ukraine, Israel, and Japan, highlighting communities overlooked by modernity. His work captures both melancholy and human tenderness, allowing these groups to narrate their stories. Zielony’s series Citizen co-represented Germany at the 2015 Venice Biennale, and he has been a professor in Hamburg since 2022.
