Kvity Ukrainy

The photo series is about protecting the historical building in Kyiv, Ukraine, from illegal demolition.

Kvity Ukrainy (the name means Flowers of Ukraine) is a unique pavilion in Soviet modernism designed by Mykola Levchuk. In 1986, the Union of Architects awarded the project as one of the best architectural works of the year.

Despite its value, the house was scheduled for demolition. The initiative group "Save the Flowers of Ukraine" called on the owner to hold talks with citizens to preserve the building.

On July 12, the developer began dismantling without warning. Many people blocked the work of construction equipment and a few hours later stopped the ruining. The struggle for the building lasted several weeks. Thanks to the enormous efforts of volunteers, "Flowers of Ukraine" was saved and included in the state register of immovable monuments of Ukraine.

This series was filmed on the evening of July 12. I watched people come with flowers in their hands to protect the building physically.

Hundreds of caring people were ready to unite, fight, protect the object day and night. Everyone had their own motivation, but they worked on a common goal together. Each as a unique flower, and together as a beautiful bouquet of Kvity Ukrainy — flowers of Ukraine.

Medium: b&w film photo, a collage of dried flowers, scan