Kyiv Massacre Zine (2026)
This zine tells the story of eight artists in Kyiv who turn to collage as a way of coping with life under Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Living with the constant threat of drone attacks, air raid sirens and the uncertainty of war, they find moments of escape in the simple act of cutting, tearing and rearranging images. What begins as a creative distraction becomes a way to process anger, frustration and the absurdity of everyday life in a country fighting for its existence.
The story begins in June 2024, when two Kyiv-based artists, Marichka Kritenko and Iryna Dzhun, organised a joint exhibition of their collage work. Held against the backdrop of nightly Russian attacks and strict curfews, the exhibition raised more than USD $2,000 to support friends and family serving in the Ukrainian military. What started as a collaboration between two artists gradually grew into a collective of eight, united by a shared creative practice and the realities of living through war.
They call themselves Rizanyna, Ukrainian for Massacre. The name speaks both to the physical act of cutting paper and to the emotional release that comes from making art in circumstances defined by violence, anger and uncertainty. Their approach is instinctive and unpolished, embracing experimentation over perfection. There are no strict rules or established methods. You take what you have, put it on the table and start.
A4 Size
Soft Cover
74 pp
30 copies
Published by Applied Artists, Distributed by Tomorrow Publications