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Lifelines. Across borders

An art project by Hanna Melnykova

Wechselausstellung
Landscape on Hanna Melnykova's path from Germany to Ukraine. Photo: Hanna Melnykova
Landscape on Hanna Melnykova's path from Germany to Ukraine. Photo: Hanna Melnykova
8.10.26
8.11.26

In the summer of 2025, photo artist Hanna Melnykova emigrated from Germany to Ukraine. The museum Center for Persecuted Arts shows the photographic documentation of their performative walk.

Statement from the artist:

“In July 2025, I realized my latest artistic project — a profound examination of war, transformation and the resilience of humanity. Originally inspired by Marina Abramović's performance Lovers, my project was designed as a manifesto of love and unity across all obstacles. However, the realities of current conflicts have given the work new meanings.

The project comprises a performative walk from Germany to Ukraine — an artistic examination of migration, resilience, cultural ties and the current geopolitical landscape. This action symbolizes unity and solidarity in the midst of ongoing conflict and expulsion and promotes empathy and cultural dialogue across borders.

The symbolic meaning of this walk: It represents life itself. The route set for the project illustrates the borders between nations and represents the gap between past and future as well as personal and collective transformation. A line as a border and as a delimitation. ”

In the summer of 2025, the photographic artist Hanna Melnykova walked from Germany to Ukraine. The Museum Center for Persecuted Arts Is showing the photographic documentation of her performative walk.

Artist's Statement

“In July 2025 I did my latest artistic project — a profound exploration of war, transformation, and the resilience of humanity. Inspired initially by Marina Abramović's performance Lovers, my project used to be conceived as a manifesto of love and unity beyond all obstacles. However, the realities of contemporary conflicts have infused the work with new meanings.

The project includes a solitary performative walk from Germany to Ukraine — an artistic exploration of migration, resilience, cultural connection, and the current geopolitical landscape. This act symbolizes unity and solidarity amid ongoing conflicts and displacement, fostering empathy and cultural dialogue across borders.

The symbolic meaning of this walk: representing life itself. The route mapped for the project illustrates borders between nations, embodying the divide between past and future, as well as personal and collective transformation. A line as a border and as a boundary. ”

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Landscape on Hanna Melnykova's path from Germany to Ukraine. Photo: Hanna Melnykova
Landscape on Hanna Melnykova's path from Germany to Ukraine. Photo: Hanna Melnykova
Landscape on Hanna Melnykova's path from Germany to Ukraine. Photo: Hanna Melnykova
Landscape on Hanna Melnykova's path from Germany to Ukraine. Photo: Hanna Melnykova
Landscape on Hanna Melnykova's path from Germany to Ukraine. Photo: Hanna Melnykova

Material

Pressespiegel

Latest news

Landscape on Hanna Melnykova's path from Germany to Ukraine. Photo: Hanna Melnykova
10/8/26
11/8/26

Temporary Exhibition

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Lifelines. Across borders

An art project by Hanna Melnykova

In the summer of 2025, photo artist Hanna Melnykova emigrated from Germany to Ukraine. The Museum Center for Persecuted Arts is showing the photographic documentation of their performative walk.

Marian Ruzamski, Cloth Halls Kraków/Still Life (work on both sides), 1921, oil on canvas, private collection
4/9/26
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Excursion

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Encountering the past — art and memory in Krakow and Auschwitz

Study and remembrance trip to Poland

The Center for Persecuted Arts offers from April 9 to 12/13, 2026 on the occasion of the exhibition “Marian Ruzamski. Art of Remembrance” in Krakow a guided study trip to Poland.

Biography “Against the tide? Memoirs 1904—1945”, Solingen 2000. The cover photo shows Änne Wagner in 1934.
4/16/26

Vernissage

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“Änne Wagner” exhibition

Biographical and artistic engagement with a Solingen eyewitness

Students from the Humboldtgymnasium present collages, sketches for graphic novels and texts that were created as a result of dealing with the biography of Änne Wagner.