‘State of transition’ Opening. Photo exhibition of Kostiantyn Huzenko, a fallen soldier and photographer

On 7 September, INDEX: Institute for Documentation and Exchange will host the opening of a commemorative and documentary photo exhibition, featuring works on the war, de-occupation, and the state of uncertainty.

Details 

We invite everyone to the opening of the exhibition by Kostiantyn Huzenko, a fallen soldier and photographer.

• Date and Time: 7 September, 18:00
• Location: INDEX Space, 33 Ivan Franko St. (3rd floor, door code 38)
• Free entry upon registration.

About the Exhibition

Justice does not simply exist. Or rather, it doesn't just happen on its own. It requires action—volunteering, documenting the consequences of war, or serving in the armed forces. It is precisely this fragile state of transition, moving from a civilian observer of war to a member of the military, that forms the main focus of Kostiantyn Huzenko's exhibition, ‘State of Transition’.

The exhibition was first presented on 27 January in Kyiv, at the Sens bookstore on Khreshchatyk, as well as in Lviv at Respublica Sadu and the Lviv Municipal Art Center. It represents an attempt to make sense of Kostiantyn's creative body of work, spanning his transformation from a civilian photographer to a soldier. It also reflects on loss itself and the state of uncertainty left behind for loved ones to navigate.

The exhibition focuses on Huzenko's work during the full-scale invasion. The narrative begins with his output as a civilian photographer exploring the liberated regions of Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna, where Kostiantyn's eye captures changing landscapes, architecture, and, above all, the stories of people who survived the occupation.

A central part of the exhibition features Kostiantyn's work as a Staff Sergeant in the Marines during his period of close contact with war. In these pieces, he captures the everyday realities of service: combat sorties, training, and the daily life of marines on the front line.

The exhibition focuses on Huzenko's work during the full-scale invasion. The narrative begins with his output as a civilian photographer exploring the liberated regions of Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna (north-eastern regions of Ukraine), where Kostiantyn's eye captures changing landscapes, architecture and, above all, the stories of people who survived the occupation.

Indeed, justice as such does not exist, but it is vital to keep striving towards it.

Now it is up to us, in Kostya's stead.

About the Author

Kostiantyn Huzenko was born on 27 January 1997 in Kyiv. He graduated with a Master's degree in Audio, Video and Cinema Engineering from Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.

He had been passionate about photography since childhood: from digital to analogue, from composing a shot to the developing process in the darkroom. He worked as a photographer, media producer, engineer and TV camera operator, notably for The Village Ukraine, where he took photographs and produced podcasts. From 2020 onwards, he was part of the Ukraїner media community, joining expeditions across Ukraine and working on ‘De-occupation’—a documentary project about liberated towns and villages, documenting the consequences of the war.

Kostiantyn also took photographs for the War Archive project, the largest combined database of audio and video materials about the war in Ukraine, and documented subjects for PEN Ukraine.

In February 2024, Kostya enlisted in the 35th Separate Marine Brigade as a Staff Sergeant in the press service. He served on the Mykolaiv, Kherson and Pokrovsk fronts, capturing the brigade's service and collaborating with both Ukrainian and international journalists. Alongside his comrades, he completed the obstacle course and earned the right to wear the Marine beret.

Kostiantyn Huzenko was killed on 1 November 2025 in a Russian strike. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit, 3rd Class. 

Kostya also loved black coffee, fine tea, cats, wildflowers, Japanese cars, Korean cinema and bold deeds.

The project is supported by ERSTE Foundation