Pinchuk Art Centre's Venice Biennale Show Finds Fragile Joy Amid War

The Pinchuk Art Centre's Venice Biennale exhibition, 'Still Joy — From Ukraine into the World,' at Palazzo Contarini-Polignac (9 May-1 August), marks its third presentation since Russia's February 2022 invasion. Curated as a critical response to war, the show interweaves international artists like Tacita Dean and Julian Charriere with Ukrainian voices. It features testimonials from soldiers collected by former marine Hlib Stryzhko, who survived an explosion and captivity, printed on pink scrolls by Bodhana Kosima. At the 7 May opening, Stryzhko spoke in uniform about a strawberry chocolate that brought him joy. Works include Malaschuk + Khimey's rave footage, Ashfika Rahman's bell sculpture with displaced women's fingerprints, and Zhanna Kadyrova's light box photos of bombed interiors with rescued pot plants. Dutch artist Simone Post's chandelier installation reclaims guileless pleasure. Director Gedlhof emphasizes that loss and joy are not uniquely Ukrainian.