Riga 2025

Artist: Cary Joji Fukunaga, Tetiana Malinovska

Cary Joji Fukunaga is one of the most ambitious masters of contemporary cinema, known for the films “No Time to Die” (James Bond), the series “True Detective”, as well as the Oscar-winning project “Victoria para chino”.
The project “Lyuta vesna - Lost Spring” was created in 2022, when the director was volunteering in Ukraine. It was there that he captured the footage that formed the basis of
this exhibition. The project was first shown at Leica Gallery Madrid in 2023. In his photographs, Fukunaga explores the contrasts between loss and recovery, demonstrating
how even in the most difficult times, light and humanity can be found.
Tetiana Malinovska's video artwork "Silence", is presented by CityX Foundation and Kharkiv Municipal Gallery. Tetiana Malinovska is one of the leading Ukrainian artists who has been developing her contemporary art practices since the Kharkiv NonStopMedia Festival (2003).
CityX Foundation collaborates with her on programs to support Ukrainian artists, and in
2025 Malinovska's work was presented at the Zona Maco art fair in Mexico City. The video “Silence” was first shown in Kharkiv in February 2022 - a few days before the war, in 2023 it was shown in exhibitions in Poland. This video project is about lips and silence, conveying tenderness, anxiety and the desire for dialogue. The work epitomizes a woman's strength, patience and love, especially in wartime, when these qualities become a source of hope. A central theme in this narrative is the image of a woman—symbolizing endurance, understanding, and rebirth.
This motif resonates with the video work of Tetiana Malinovska,which complements the exhibition with its intimate and deeply emotional message. The camera focuses on a woman’s lips—whispering words that can mean everything and nothing at the same time. This video can be perceived in different ways: as a peaceful, contemplative moment, as a warning about dangers (the mask as a symbol of protection), or as a call for kindness —for dialogue, openness, and a smile.
In Malinovska’s work, the woman embodies strength, which manifests through patience, understanding, and love. During times of war, these qualities become a source of hope. Her image reminds us of the invisible struggle that takes place not only on the frontlines but also in everyday life—in support, in words, in the ability to continue living and dreaming.
The combination of Fukunaga’s photography and Malinovska’s video creates a profound artistic dialogue. The visual poetry of their works allows the viewer to feel the inner tension between destruction and rebirth, between silence and expression, between tragedy and hope. This is art that speaks without words—but it has the power to touch everyone.