Alena Burya

The country is plunged into darkness. But it is already clear to everyone that Ukrainians are not those who will be upset because of difficulties. We are beginning to create a new reality. Live in it and enjoy it!

«The question of clothing and nudity is important from the point of view of physical health, art and morality: I simply need to express my thoughts, because it is impossible to avoid this discussion all the time. This is a very recent conquest of human freedom: after all, not so long ago any doubt in the necessity of clothing would be dismissed as attacks on the moral principles of society...»

«It would be more correct to ask the question like this: what is better for the health and harmonious development of a person in physical and moral terms? Any doctor will answer you: nudity is more useful. It is known, for example, that the skin restores its vital energy if it is freely exposed to air, light and natural elements. Nothing prevents sweating, all organs restore their functions; the skin becomes soft and supple and loses its pallor, like a plant deprived of light. Experiments show that when the skin is deprived of light, the number of red blood cells decreases along with hemoglobin. That is, life becomes less intense. This is additional proof that the progress of civilization is not always as we think, and requires scientific research.»

Jean-Jacques Elisée Recluse. "Man and Earth".

In April 2023, I took part in a photo residency in Nuremberg. We settled in a comfortable hostel in the historic center of the city. When I entered my room, I immediately fell in love. First, yellow bedding and towels. I love this yellow. Second, the room is on the top floor of an old building, and the entire ceiling is cut off. This is such a thrill for me. Every morning I made the bed just like it was when I moved in - in even rectangles. During the day, I watched the square of sunlight from the window. When I was working, I laid out all the objects on the table “under the ruler”. I got maximum pleasure from my space.

I decided to record my emotions. For all its evenness, the room did not look “correct”. It was like luring me to do ordinary things “wrong”.

With this surreal series, I want to convey a simple message - even in the most correct environment, according to the majority, think and do everything in your own way. And if you perfectly fit the space in which you found yourself - stop and make sure that this is your choice.

You can live your whole life and not notice that you have been happy.

So, constantly dreaming of my own new home, I did not notice the beauty and romance of a rented apartment. Yes, the wallpaper is old-fashioned. Yes, the floor is old and painted. But we were happy in THAT place and THAT time. Everything was put in place by the war. And now I remember with warm sadness the sun-drenched floor, the shadows of my flowers on the wall and curtains. After all, beauty is not only what you see, but also what you feel.

Notice everything nearby. Appreciate those around you.

The main thing is not to lose yourself.

Now, more than ever, I feel the interference of outsiders in my life. And it's not just about the war. It is also about the fact that we (Ukrainians) are being watched, our actions are analyzed and conclusions are drawn. When you are unstable, it is difficult to distinguish your thoughts from those which are imposed on you. I feel constant pressure. It turns me off. Even if I didn't want it. But everything has advantages.

I realized how little was really needed, that we were happy and we had EVERYTHING. I understood that it is not so easy to break me and this means a lot to me. I really hope I don't mess it all up.