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THE AIR OF FREEDOM | AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF UKRAINE

Written by jolmes on .

Extended to May 5, 2024

Ukraine’s national inventory of facilities and monuments dedicated to culture has been irrevocably altered since early 2022. On February 24, 2022 the russian federation launched a full-scale invasion of Europe’s largest independent, sovereign and democratic nation—Ukraine. Damages from the on-going war have been enormous. As of January 2024, UNESCO has verified the damage or destruction of 337 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine: 126 religious sites, 148 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 30 museums, 19 monuments, 13 libraries, 1 archive.

Station Gallery is proud to present a series of airborne imagery documented by Ukrainian photographer, Zinoviy Pidperyhora. In 2016, the photographer took to the skies capturing the rich historical and cultural landmarks of his native land. Using platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or “drones”) and a helicopter, Pidperyhora has captured astonishing panoramas. His photos are a valuable record of Ukrainian’s countryside, urban centers, cultural and historic buildings, including world heritage sites. These bird’s-eye view images are rich and complex, showing vast colorful landscapes and surface objects is sharp detail.

The photographer states: “Each person has his or her own mission. A special role, clearly defined in crucial historical moments. Artists cannot be on the sidelines. They have their own, no less important front; they too, are at the forefront. With artistic means of expression, they proclaim to the whole world the beauty of Earth and the universal values ​​of its peoples, glorifying the democratic values, freedom and independence of their country gained in a difficult struggle.”

The Air of Freedom | Aerial Photographs of Ukraine is many things: it is a site of dialogue, a gathering of imagery where words are not enough. Through his expansive catalogue of images, Pidperyhora prompts us to retain a special memory: to recall the history and beauty of Ukraine.

View the 3D Matterport tour of this exhibition HERE