Ukrainian Designer to Shine at Design Miami Amid Nation-Wide Blackouts

Victoria Yakusha’s Land of Light II installation makes its debut at Design Miami, which will run from the 2 to 7 of December. A major global fair for collectible design, the event, since its inception in 2005, has showcased avant-garde works in furniture, lighting, and objets d’art, attracting international designers, curators, and collectors.

Featuring design standout moments such as Fernando Laposse’s 40-metre avocado-dyed tapestry and avocado-skin cabinet in 2023, works that laid bare the social and ecological costs of Mexico’s avocado trade.

Who is Victoria Yakusha?

Victoria Yakusha, founder of the multidisciplinary studio Yakusha and the design brand FAINA, is one of the leading voices in contemporary Ukrainian design. FAINA, launched after the Revolution of Dignity in 2014, brought her specific design style to global attention and helped position Ukrainian design on the international stage. Known for her “live design” philosophy—minimalist forms rooted in ancestral craft and raw Ukrainian materials—she has brought national heritage into a global conversation.

Her work has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale, Milan Design Week, and Paris Design Week, among many others. She has earned awards such as Dezeen’s Emerging Design Studio (public vote) and Best Curio Show at Design Miami/Basel.

Light as a metaphor for resilience

Land of Light II delves into the concept of light as a tangible symbol of resilience. Yakusha believes that light is most visible in darkness, and her work reflects this idea as a reminder of the human capacity to endure and move forward.

The installation comes as power is cut off all over Ukraine, with outages lasting up to 16 hours after Russian strikes are said to wipe out generating capacity. Major cities remain under rolling blackouts as drones hit energy sites, knock out heat and water, and strike nuclear power substations in the west.

“I began thinking more and more about light and its manifestations, especially after the outbreak of the full-scale war,” she says. “Light is always best seen in darkness.”

The installation celebrates those whose creativity acts as a source of light in their communities. The light figures in Yakusha’s work represent different creative outlets and are paired with mythical creatures that mirror their inner qualities. Each creature is hand-sculpted in ZTISTA, a sustainable material that Yakusha named after the design process, a mixture of clay, flax, wood chips, and recycled paper.

Handcrafted in Ukraine, the works in Land of Light II strive to be more than just aesthetic objects. They are living expressions of Yakusha’s philosophy which seh named “live minimalism” a combination of simple forms with natural materials, creating spaces in harmony with nature and leaving a cultural, not environmental, footprint.

Design Miami: a platform for cultural dialogue

Design Miami serves as a key platform for global dialogue around innovative design. Since its founding by Craig Robins in 2005, the fair has grown into a landmark event during Miami Art Week. It is renowned for its curated exhibitions and immersive installations, offering a space for both established designers and emerging voices. The fair showcases museum-quality works in furniture, lighting, and design objects from top galleries worldwide, such as the US-based Friedman Benda gallery.

The fair is made up of high-quality works that transcend trends and reflect cultural and social narratives. In recent years, the fair has expanded its global reach with editions in Paris and Seoul, reinforcing its role as a hub for design innovation.

In Land of Light II, Yakusha offers a message of resilience during Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, Yakusha’s homeland. The installation strives to stand as a testament to the role of art in shaping our collective future, calling attention to the quiet strength of individuals whose work and creativity illuminate a world facing adversity.

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