#Japan #Shinjuku #Marko Kolomytskyi #Citizen Zinc #Decameron

Marko Kolomytskyi's Solo Exhibition: 'From Donbas to Space'

On July 18, 2025, the art space Decameron in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, will officially open its doors for Marko Kolomytskyi's solo exhibition titled 'Из Донбасса в Космос' (From Donbas to Space). This exhibition explores themes of memory, existence, and the metaphysical connections between language and politics through a rich tapestry of artistic mediums including installations, sound, prints, performance, and writing.

Marko Kolomytskyi, originally from the Donbas region of Ukraine, has journeyed far and wide, leaving his homeland at the age of 17. He has since lived in South Korea, China, Japan, Canada, and France, and is currently enrolled in the DNSEP program at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His work often reflects the complex layers of collective trauma and the societal struggles of the places he has called home, particularly the Donbas, a region known for its rich resources and a tumultuous history marked by division and conflict.

Kolomytskyi views the Donbas as a source of violence and criminality, yet finds solace in the ideas of Russian cosmism and the Russian avant-garde. Growing up in a landscape steeped in both oppression and hope has emboldened his artistic voice; it is influenced by personal experiences, including the loss of his mother during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The words of Nikolai Fedorov, a key figure in Russian cosmism, resonate deeply with him: "Death is a mistake." These concepts form the backbone of his recent creations and artistic narratives.

His art strives to capture a distinctive view of the world that transcends conventional scientific understandings. Kolomytskyi's visual imagery invites viewers to delve into the depths of human experience and potentially discover hopeful perspectives amidst contemporary society's challenges. His works critique the normative structures of existence while simultaneously proposing new forms of hope.

Entering the Realm of 'Citizen Zinc'

Kolomytskyi has independently developed the idea of 'Citizen Zinc'—a concept rooted in Russian cosmism that explores the material resurrection of the dead and the quest for immortality. He describes Citizen Zinc as the embodiment of lives lost due to war, bureaucracy, and the oppressive systems of the modern world.

Within the exhibition, visitors can expect to see a variety of elements revolving around Citizen Zinc: lithographs depicting this concept, a manual on how to create Citizen Zinc, antennas designed to receive the voices of Citizen Zinc, and monuments aimed at recording, resurrecting, and extending life beyond death and planetary limits. This event represents a unique opportunity to witness Kolomytskyi’s philosophical explorations and artistic practices that have evolved across various contexts.

About the Decameron Art Space

Established in 2020, Decameron is located in the heart of Kabukicho, Shinjuku. The space borrows its name from Giovanni Boccaccio’s collection of allegorical tales, which vividly narrates the horrors of the plague that ravaged Europe from 1348. Decameron has a two-story layout, featuring an exhibit space on the second floor and a bar on the first floor where artists and visitors can meet and engage before and after exhibitions. In April 2021, Decameron expanded its gallery space and has been committed to hosting experimental contemporary art exhibitions ever since.
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Exhibition Details

Exhibition Title: 'Из Донбасса в Космос (From Donbas to Space)'
Date: July 18 (Friday) – August 3 (Sunday), 2025
Venue: Decameron
Address: 1-12-4 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Hours: 8:00 PM – 27:00 AM
Closed on: Mondays

This exhibition promises to be an insightful experience, shedding light on Kolomytskyi's journey and his poignant artistic commentary on life, death, and the quests that connect us all.