Bronze / 2024 / Press / Performing Arts

Naftalab performance laboratory

A performance laboratory at the independent Ukrainian theatre Nafta (Oil Theater). It took place over a month in late 2023 in Kharkiv city which is located near the front line and suffers from rocket attacks from Russia. Due to the constant threat, theater schools in the city provide training only online, and in the laboratory, young theater artists gained professional experience, met, and experimented. Together they created their own performance using the method of devised theater, in which they shared their own experiences of interaction with the city undergoing change and destruction.

Oleksandr Osipov (1985) is a Ukrainian reportage photographer based in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Started career in 2009 in sports reportage: FC Metalist Kharkiv as a staff photographer, UEFA and FIBA as a freelancer.
Expanded activity in photojournalism highlighting arts, social events, Russia's war against Ukraine. Worked as a stringer for Reuters, EPA.
Became internationally known in March 2022 with "In the Streets of Kharkiv" video series – performances of cellist Denys Karachevtsev playing Bach in the ruined streets of Kharkiv. The project received huge coverage on social media and TV.

Awards Personal awards & recognitions:
2024 - 3rd Place. International Photography Awards;
2024 - Honorable mention. International Photography Awards;
2024 - 4 x Official selection. International Photography Awards;
2024 - Nominee. The reFocus Awards;
2024 - 2 x "Bronze" award. PX3 - Prix de la Photographie, Paris;
2024 - 3 x Honorable Mention. PX3 - Prix de la Photographie, Paris;
2024 - Monochromatic Awards finalist. Dodho Magazine;
2024 - "Platinum Winner". London Photography Awards;
2024 - "Gold Winner". London Photography Awards;
2024 - Honorable mention. The reFocus Awards;
2024 - Nominee in Photojournalism. Fine Art Photography Awards 2023/2024;
2023 - Honorable mention. International Photography Awards;
2015, 2017 - First place. National Olympic Committee competition: the best sports photo of the year.
2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15 - The best photographer of the Ukrainian Football Premier League.

Personal exhibitions:
2024 - "Kharkiv: (non)relocated culture (22-24)". Kyiv Academic Drama Theater on Podil. Kyiv, Ukraine;
2024 - "Kharkiv: (non)relocated culture (22-24)". Frankivsk National Drama Theatre. Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine;
2024 - "Shelter for Science". LAPP. Annecy, France;
2024 - "Shelter for Science". CERN. Meren, Geneva, Switzerland;
2023 - "Shelter for Science". Lab DESY. Hamburg, Germany;
2023 - "Shelter for Science". EPS-HEP. Hamburg, Germany;
2023 - "Kharkiv|Culture|War". Art Area DK. Kharkiv, Ukraine.