Mirror and dry rose buds were found during Lomtalanítás in the VIII district of Budapest. Reeds from the local lake or my neighborhood in Donetsk where I grew up.

2023
Budapest

Home is a series of photos exploring the nostalgia for a hometown lost to occupation. In 2014, following the annexation of Crimea by “green men”— an euphemism for Russian military forces — Donetsk fell into the grip of Russian propaganda and was eventually taken over by criminal elements. To this day, the city remains under Russian control, making it impossible for Taras to return.

In this work, Taras’ body interacts with symbols of the lost hometown, evoking a deep connection to the past and triggers his personal trauma. The mirror serves as a portal to reconnect with the memmories, and incorporate all the entities in one dimention. Roses, a significant symbol of the Donetsk city, and reeds, which stir vivid childhood memories, are central elements of the installation alongside with his naked body.