Dancing in the Dark

In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea and, with the support of separatists, seized the Ukrainian Donbas region. In 2022, the subsequent full-scale invasion of Ukraine drastically expanded the geography and scale of the war. The frontline city of Kharkiv is under constant missile attacks, especially targeting its energy infrastructure. A literal and metaphorical darkness has enveloped Kharkiv. Underground concerts in the theater have become a powerful symbol of resistance against the aggressor’s attempts to destroy Ukrainian culture and spirit. This underscores the extraordinary resilience of its residents, who are finding ways not only to survive but also to create beauty amidst the destruction.

The photo project captured the fragile beauty and grace of the ballerinas rehearsing and performing in basement conditions. The photographs, reminiscent of Edgar Degas’s enchanting sketches, captured the interplay of light and shadow, highlighting the vulnerability and simultaneous inner strength of the artists. Art flourishes despite the surrounding danger, becoming a metaphorical reflection of the resilience of the people of Kharkiv, where every wave of the hand is filled with the added meaning of the struggle to preserve culture and humanity.

2024