PinchukArtCentre presents exhibition exploring joy as resistance during wartime

The PinchukArtCentre in Kyiv has launched an exhibition titled 'Joy' that examines how Ukrainian citizens experience and sustain joy during wartime. The project originated from written testimonies collected by Ukrainian veteran and marine Hlib Stryzhko, who interviewed both male and female members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine about what brings them happiness amid conflict. These personal accounts serve as a foundation for the exhibition, presenting joy as a powerful human response to violence. Architect and artist Bogdana Kosmina transformed these textual narratives into spatial installations that form integral components of the display. The exhibition aims to initiate dialogue about the various manifestations of joy in difficult circumstances and how it functions as a unifying and sustaining force for national identity and survival. By focusing on personal experiences of military personnel, the project highlights joy as an act of resilience and humanity against the backdrop of ongoing conflict.