The Imitation Game | Dmytro Petryna

"The whole world is a circus, and the people in it are clowns."
We often live and play different social and emotional roles in everyday life. We frequently switch from one mask to another, sometimes forgetting to take off one and put on another. The war in Ukraine has created additional emotional barriers: new masks and the importance of being strong and psychologically stable in society. We imitate the processes of work, interest, joy, or sorrow, despite our own sadness or despair.

In the photo exhibition "The Imitation Game," photographer Dmytro Petryna explores the complexity of human emotions through the image of a clown—a symbol of both joy and sorrow. With his colorful makeup and broad smile, the clown appears cheerful and carefree at first glance. However, this mask can conceal a whole range of emotions—from deep sorrow to genuine fear. The image of a clown exaggerates the extreme states of human emotion and serves as a metaphor for the "masks" people often wear in everyday life.

"The Imitation Game" is an invitation to reflect on how we perceive others and how often our outward appearance doesn't match our inner feelings. It's worth living every moment of life and smiling even through tears.