Naftalab Performance Laboratory
A performance laboratory at the independent Ukrainian theatre Nafta (Oil Theater) in Kharkiv that took place over a month in late 2023. The city of Kharkiv is located near the front line and regularly suffers from rocket attacks from Russia. Due to the constant threat, theater schools in the city provide training only online, and in the laboratory, young theater artists gained professional experience, met, and experimented. Here, students practiced different methodologies of physical theater, explored performative existence on stage, and transformed pain and loss into artistic unreality. Together with the laboratory curator, director and playwright, they created their own performance using the method of devised theater, in which they shared their own experiences of interaction with the city undergoing change and destruction.
Awards & recognitions:
April 7, 2024, 'Naftalab performance laboratory' series has been awarded in the 10th Fine Art Photography Awards in London - Nomination in 'Professional Photojournalism' category.
On May 17, 2024, the 'Naftalab performance laboratory' series received the "Gold Winner" award at the London Photography Awards in 5 categories at once - "Editorial Photography - Photojournalism", "Fine Art Photography - Photojournalism", "Black & White Photography - Photojournalism", "London Photography - Cultural", "People Photography - Culture".
On August 16, 2024, the 'Naftalab performance laboratory' series received the "Bronze" award at the Prix de la Photographie in Paris in 'Press / Performing Arts' category.
April 7, 2024 - 10th Fine Art Photography Awards in London - Nomination in "Professional Photojournalism" category.
May 17, 2024 - "Gold Winner" award at the London Photography Awards in 5 categories at once - "Editorial Photography - Photojournalism", "Fine Art Photography - Photojournalism", "Black & White Photography - Photojournalism", "London Photography - Cultural", "People Photography - Culture".
August 16, 2024 - "Bronze" award at the Prix de la Photographie in Paris in "Press / Performing Arts" category.
September 18, 2024 - Official selection at the International Photo Awards in "Editorial / Press-Photo Essay / Feature Story" category.
November 24, 2024 - Honorable Mention at the ND Awards in "Editorial: Photo Essay / Story category" category.
December 3, 2024 - Honorable Mention at the Budapest International Foto Awards in "Editorial-Photo Essay" category.