TITLE_NAME :
11/13/2025 - 11/16/2025
Galerie Alexandra de Viveiros
Following the escalation of Russian military aggression, invisibility became a matter of ethics and safety for Ukrainians. An almost iconoclastic ban on taking photographs in public spaces was implemented to prevent the leakage of strategically important data and quickly became part of the consensus about how to respond. Despite this, the media is still filled with lurid photographs of the ongoing war, raising questions about what should and shouldn't be seen.
Elena Subach's series Hidden has the same sensitivity towards moments of vulnerability as well as shielding from the unwanted gaze. It was created in spring 2022, when museum workers and volunteers all over Ukraine rushed to save the country's cultural heritage. The usage of direct flash conveys associations with sensational reportage or crime scene photography, reminding us of the tragic context in which the images were made.
Shrouded and left beyond the reach of our eyes, the artworks take on human-like qualities. They look scared, curious and vulnerable, and appear to have an intense physical presence. The gesture of covering, which conveys a sense of touch, can be seen in each photograph.
Galerie Alexandra de Viveiros
Following the escalation of Russian military aggression, invisibility became a matter of ethics and safety for Ukrainians. An almost iconoclastic ban on taking photographs in public spaces was implemented to prevent the leakage of strategically important data and quickly became part of the consensus about how to respond. Despite this, the media is still filled with lurid photographs of the ongoing war, raising questions about what should and shouldn't be seen.
Elena Subach's series Hidden has the same sensitivity towards moments of vulnerability as well as shielding from the unwanted gaze. It was created in spring 2022, when museum workers and volunteers all over Ukraine rushed to save the country's cultural heritage. The usage of direct flash conveys associations with sensational reportage or crime scene photography, reminding us of the tragic context in which the images were made.
Shrouded and left beyond the reach of our eyes, the artworks take on human-like qualities. They look scared, curious and vulnerable, and appear to have an intense physical presence. The gesture of covering, which conveys a sense of touch, can be seen in each photograph.