Tobias Zielony. Maskirovka [Concealment]
Arts | Culture | Music
18+

Tobias Zielony. Maskirovka [Concealment]

Tobias Zielony. Maskirovka
Germany Berlin 2018 37
Tobias Zielony’s “Maskirovka” offers a striking exploration of Kyiv’s queer techno scene in the wake of the post-Maidan era, blending artistic expression with a profound commentary on societal resistance. This project reflects the duality of its title, capturing moments where identity is both concealed and celebrated amid an unstable political landscape. Through his evocative photographs and a dynamic animated film composed of 5,400 images, Zielony provides a lens into a vibrant, underground community that challenges nationalism and conventional norms. The interplay of nighttime revelry and the stark realities of conflict creates a vivid tapestry, inviting viewers to engage with the multi-faceted narratives of the individuals within, while questioning the representation of Ukraine within broader sociopolitical dialogues. In this nuanced portrayal, Zielony reveals the fragility and resilience of a generation caught between chaos and the pursuit of self-determination.

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.

Sergiy Bratkov. My Brother’s Cats | Curatorial Introduction with Annegret Laabs
Arts | Society & Politics
18+

Sergiy Bratkov. My Brother’s Cats | Curatorial Introduction with Annegret Laabs

Sergiy Bratkov. My Brother's Cats
Germany Magdeburg 2024 25

Sergiy Bratkov (b. 1960) is renowned for his radically unsettling and striking photographs that, beneath their vivid surface, present an unflinching report on societal conditions. Like other members of the “Kharkiv School of Photography,” his work over the past 30 years has focused on social photography. In spring 2022, the Ukrainian artist, who had been living in Moscow since 2004, emigrated to Berlin. His recent work, previously centered on outdated Soviet-era clichés and the brash new capitalism of post-Soviet Ukraine, has now been sharply refocused by the brutal realities of the ongoing war.

In this exhibition, Bratkov presents new cycles of images and videos created since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The once ironic observer has transformed into a reflective analyst, confronting the horrors of war in his former homeland. His new works grapple with this trauma while resisting the pull of hopelessness.

Why should you watch this?

Sergiy Bratkov’s latest exhibition captures a profound shift in his artistic practice, where irony gives way to a sobering confrontation with the brutal realities of war. Renowned for his socially charged photography rooted in the “Kharkiv School,” Bratkov’s new works — created after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — delve into the trauma of conflict in his homeland. Emigrating to Berlin in 2022, his vivid and unsettling images, once focused on Soviet clichés and post-Soviet capitalism, now engage deeply with the devastation of war, transforming him from a detached observer to a reflective witness of historical tragedy.
Sergiy Bratkov. My Brother’s Cats | Immersive Artist Tour
Arts | Society & Politics
18+

Sergiy Bratkov. My Brother’s Cats | Immersive Artist Tour

Sergiy Bratkov. My Brother's Cats
Germany Magdeburg 2024 43

Sergiy Bratkov (b. 1960) is renowned for his radically unsettling and striking photographs that, beneath their vivid surface, present an unflinching report on societal conditions. Like other members of the “Kharkiv School of Photography,” his work over the past 30 years has focused on social photography. In spring 2022, the Ukrainian artist, who had been living in Moscow since 2004, emigrated to Berlin. His recent work, previously centered on outdated Soviet-era clichés and the brash new capitalism of post-Soviet Ukraine, has now been sharply refocused by the brutal realities of the ongoing war.

In this exhibition, Bratkov presents new cycles of images and videos created since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The once ironic observer has transformed into a reflective analyst, confronting the horrors of war in his former homeland. His new works grapple with this trauma while resisting the pull of hopelessness.

Why should you watch this?

Sergiy Bratkov’s latest exhibition captures a profound shift in his artistic practice, where irony gives way to a sobering confrontation with the brutal realities of war. Renowned for his socially charged photography rooted in the “Kharkiv School,” Bratkov’s new works — created after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — delve into the trauma of conflict in his homeland. Emigrating to Berlin in 2022, his vivid and unsettling images, once focused on Soviet clichés and post-Soviet capitalism, now engage deeply with the devastation of war, transforming him from a detached observer to a reflective witness of historical tragedy.