Culture

A stage with three kinetic objects made of prostheses stands in Kyiv’s Pavilion 13. Mounted on a chassis, the figures move in a robotic manner, almost hypnotically, and raise questions that audiences, both in Ukraine and abroad, may not yet be ready to answer.

The lights dim, and for a moment, the room falls still. Thousands of people stand together in Kyiv, waiting. Then the first notes begin, and the crowd responds as one—singing, filming, brought together by the music. Outside, the Russia’ war continues. Inside, for a few hours, there is magic.

The Ukrainian pop culture school SKVOT released its much-anticipated documentary Spring-Summer on March 25 via YouTube, highlighting the resilience and creativity of Ukraine's fashion industry amid the ongoing war.

“Art is apolitical” is exactly the illusion that allows Russia to use platforms like the Venice Biennale to advance its propaganda and send its representatives to do so in the heart of Europe.