The War Childhood Museum Ukraine has opened an exhibition developed through IMБALANCE, a contemporary art and documentation lab that began in March. The exhibition presents the work of eight teenage participants who explored personal and collective experiences through artistic expression. The project reflects the realities faced by Ukrainian teenagers growing up amidst war and global uncertainty.
The lab’s title plays on the Ukrainian slang word “imba”, used to describe something overwhelmingly powerful or impressive – something that disrupts balance. For the lab participants, this concept became a vital lens to understand themselves and the world around them. Over the course of several months, the teenagers created their own works under the guidance of Ukrainian multimedia artist Daria Molokoiedova.
Teenagers’ Perspectives on Growing Up
The exhibition, which opened on June 12 in Kyiv, features works including photographs, videos, and installations that reinterpret themes such as home, intimacy, limitations, and boundaries. The artworks reflect on the complex balance between freedom and responsibility, as well as the experience of navigating everyday teenage life while growing into independence, all within the context of ongoing war.
“Throughout the process, we captured what had happened to us, what was happening in the moment, and our emotional states. When I see the other girls’ works, I realize how deeply connected we all are to the same context, yet each of us expresses it in her own unique way, highlighting the details that resonate most.” says participant Polina Gula.
“For me, participating in the lab was a form of exploration — of art, myself, the people around me, and the world. Over time, our meetings grew into warm gatherings, like spending time with friends. It was also an exchange of experiences and perspectives with truly creative and inspiring people.” adds another teenager, Maya Gomma.
According to mentor and curator Daria Molokoiedova, working with teenagers offered a distinct perspective: “We may not know what tomorrow holds or fully understand who we are, and sometimes we stop searching for answers. But when we meet a teenager embodying these existential questions, we recognize ourselves in them and gain a chance to rediscover parts of ourselves lost on the way to adulthood.”
The IMБALANCE Exhibition. Visitor Information
Throughout June, the exhibition also hosts a series of events, including curatorial tours, screenings, and panel discussions on Documenting the Lives of Children and Teenagers in Film and How to Preserve and Share: The Future of Multimedia Archives.
The exhibition runs until June 29 at the Dovzhenko Centre (1 Vasylkivska St., Kyiv).
Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 1 PM to 8 PM.
Partners and Support
The WCM Ukraine’s IMБALANCE project is supported by the forumZFD Programme Office in Ukraine and the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House, in partnership with the Dovzhenko Center.
