In this episode, we speak with Max Gorbatskyi, curator at Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool and co-organizer of the Ukrainian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale with Viktoria Bavykina. Max takes us behind the scenes of this major international event: how they built a team from scratch, fundraised under pressure, and navigated the responsibilities of representing Ukraine on the world stage.

We also explore the exhibition HOME, presented during Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, and its unique approach to bringing Ukrainian photography into everyday public spaces. Max reflects on the resilience and evolution of contemporary Ukrainian photography since the war began, and shares grounded advice for curators and photographers working under challenging political and social conditions.

He also introduces Ukrainian. Photographies, an online platform and living archive showcasing works by Ukrainian photographers and featuring diverse international perspectives on photographic practices in and about Ukraine.

A vital conversation on art, politics, and the quiet power of cultural institutions. Enjoy the episode!

00:30 – Introduction: Max Gorbatskyi and his role at Open Eye Gallery

04:10 – His early curatorial path and how he connects to Ukrainian photography

10:35 – Organizing the Ukrainian Pavilion at Venice Biennale with Viktoria Bavykina: building the team and fundraising

17:10 – The reality of being both curator and project manager

21:20 – Collaboration between Open Eye and Ukrainian initiatives

24:00 – The HOME exhibition during Eurovision 2023 and its outreach across Liverpool

28:00 – What HOME means in a context of war, displacement, and identity

31:00 – Building community through photography in times of instability

33:40 – How Ukrainian photography is evolving in response to the war

38:10 – On the international interest in Ukrainian art and the shift from post-Soviet narratives

41:20 – Max’s advice to young curators: the importance of organization, realism, and communication

45:10 – Advice to photographers: be clear on your intentions and understand your audience

47:20 – Why art cannot be separated from politics

50:00 – Final thoughts on influence, resilience, and working with meaning

Link to my questionnaire to help you reflect on your artistic career: https://bit.ly/carriereartistique

Lien vers mon questionnaire pour vous aider à faire un point sur votre projet de livre : https://bit.ly/LVDLPlivrephoto

My website: https://marinelefort.fr/

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Les Voix de la Photo is a podcast produced and hosted by Marine Lefort.

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