Anastasia Antonenko

This shoot would have looked another way a year ago. We have changed inside a lot since the war began. I cannot convey how I feel, but I have a tool — photography. I can share the world surrounding me. The flame can be perceived literally either as "destruction", or as "purification" or, eventually, as "revival". Select the option according to what you feel.

Fire burns everything to ashes and leaves nothing behind. You can try to run away, change your life, start over, but you will never forget what the fire left behind. Wherever you are, the scar makes itself felt.

The impact of war on individuals and societies is profound and often long-lasting. This statement, "This shoot would have looked another way a year ago. We have changed inside a lot since the war," highlights the transformative power of conflict on people's lives.

War affects people in different ways, but it always leaves scars. Some become physically injured or traumatized; others lose loved ones or homes. But even those who escape physical harm can be changed by war's emotional toll. The experience of violence, loss, and uncertainty can alter one's perception of self, others, and the world.

In the context of this quote, "this shoot" refers to an image captured by a camera lens. It suggests that the person taking the photo has undergone some significant transformation since last year when they would have seen things differently.

Perhaps they are more aware of their own mortality or more empathetic towards those affected by war.

The photo project «Kyiv in Color» was made before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but she continued to shoot it already in 2022. In these photographs, you see the everyday life of local residents and visitors.

I photographed everything around me. I wanted to capture the world around me, but when I got the pictures, it seemed to me that one detail was missing from the picture. That detail was the Color. I added color to the photo using markers to emphasize how diverse and vibrant life around me is. The people in the pictures immediately seem alive, it is clear that peace reigns around. Everything around seemed calm, it seemed nothing could change it.

I left Kyiv in the first months of hostilities, I was in another city in Ukraine. I looked at the pictures and I found my peace in them, I remembered the streets I walked along and the people I saw. At some point, it all seemed to me to be fictitious and realistic.

For me, these photos became something more than a memory of the city, they became a story. After returning to Kyiv, I continued shooting this project to show how everything around has changed.

The phenomenon of missing persons is a sad and widespread reality around the world. Every year, thousands of people disappear without a trace, leaving their families and loved ones to wonder what happened to them. Unfortunately, not all missing people are found, and some remain unknown forever.

The photo project featuring masks that identify the people who were once there, but left nothing behind, can serve as a tool to raise awareness about the problem of missing persons and assist in finding them. Initiatives that emphasize the importance of helping the families of missing people can aid in providing answers to the unanswered questions.

Moreover, this photo project can serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting human rights and investigating all cases of disappearance to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. It can also remind us of the importance of preserving wilderness and natural resources that may become the places of human disappearance.

In conclusion, this photo project is an important initiative that reminds us of the problem of missing persons and helps to draw attention to this issue. It can be a stimulus for finding answers to the unanswered questions and aid in preventing similar cases in the future.

This project sounds like a raw and powerful exploration of the complexities of human emotions. Loneliness is a common feeling that most people have experienced at some point in their lives. It can be overwhelming and isolating, and it is important to recognize that feeling this way is normal and that there are ways to cope with it.

The visual representation of a man in all black clothes with a twisted face is compelling and effectively communicates the internal struggles of feeling out of place and disconnected from the world. The concept of pushing people away is relatable, as many people tend to isolate themselves when they are feeling down or depressed.

Overall, this project can serve as a reminder to be compassionate and understanding towards those who may be going through a difficult time. It is important to recognize that everyone experiences loneliness and that reaching out and connecting with others can be a powerful tool in overcoming it.

Welcome to the photo project where ancient myths come to life in contemporary forms. My work breathes new life into the story of the Gorgon Medusa – a symbol of mystery and power. Picture a fantastical world where fear and beauty merge into a singular entity, and glimmers of light create a mysterious dimension.

This collection of photographs revolves around the concept of a soul's quest for liberation. The Medusa, bearing serpents on her head, has become an embodiment of the struggle between unyielding strength and vulnerability. The images encapsulate the emotions arising from this conflict, illustrating the contradiction between external beauty and internal turmoil.

Through visual elements and a unique choice of composition, I aimed to convey the tense aura and uncertainty characteristic of the Gorgon Medusa in my interpretation. I invite you to discover mythology from a fresh perspective and immerse yourself in a world of ancient stories transformed into contemporary visual landscapes.

The photo project "Kyiv in Color" emerged in response to the events of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The spontaneous nature of the instant photographs in this project captivated me, capturing familiar places in Kyiv. In these frames, I endeavored to preserve the city as it was before being damaged by a Russian missile.

Due to the full-scale invasion in February 2022, I had to relocate to another city. I felt the profound absence of Kyiv, which had long become a second homeland for me. Following my departure from my native Luhansk in 2014, my connection with the city gained even greater significance.

Upon returning to Kyiv in the spring, I felt a strong desire to initiate this project. I carefully documented the most popular places in the city, hoping to preserve their contemporary image. During each photo shoot, it seemed to me that my shots needed one detail—color. I used yellow and blue threads, attempting to emphasize their influence. This became a symbol of the strength that unites the city and withstands any attempts to seize it.

This collection reflects my dedication to preserving memories of a city that does not yield to difficulties. Through the shared imagery of photographs and threads, I aim to convey a message that Kyiv remains resilient, with its vibrant spirit deeply rooted within, regardless of circumstances. With this project, I hope to impart to friends and loved ones the essence of a city that will always be a part of our hearts.