RYBA Exhibition: 'Abyss. Life in Darkness'
Running in Odesa until October 18, the RYBA exhibition 'Abyss. Life in Darkness' is an immersive art and science project presented by the RYBA LAB platform. This exhibition delves into the mysterious world of the Black Sea and the broader oceanic environment, focusing on how life endures in extreme conditions such as darkness, intense pressure, and oxygen scarcity. Visitors are invited to explore this underwater ecosystem through immersive rooms, audio installations, a model of an artificial reef, comic art, as well as public events featuring performances and guided tours.
Exhibition Highlights
Victoria Khoroshilova’s immersive room offers a unique sensory experience of life from the perspective of underwater cetaceans. Anna Pridatko’s audio installation, "Six Memories of Crimea," adds depth to the artistic narrative. For the first time, a scale model of an artificial reef crafted by Daria Chechushkova and Maria Matyashova is on display; this reef will be submerged in the Black Sea come spring, providing a habitat for marine life. Additionally, Lucy Ivanova’s comic illustrations depict the rapana snail as one of the most aggressive invasive species threatening the Black Sea ecosystem.
- On October 17, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Maria Matyashova will present her performance "Swimming Lessons."
- On October 18, from 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM, the exhibition concludes with a curator-led tour.
Attendance is free but requires prior registration. Curators Tetyana Taday and Polina Piskurva emphasize the exhibition’s focus:
“The abyssal zone offers a lens to discuss life in environments that seem uninhabitable from a human standpoint. Our approach is grounded in scientific research rather than using depth merely as a metaphor.”
Founded in 2026, the RYBA LAB platform collaborates closely with Ukraine’s National Antarctic Scientific Center (NASC), which oversees the country’s Antarctic research, including the Akademik Vernadsky station and the icebreaker Noosphere. Project participant Yevhen Dykyi remarks:
“This initiative seeks to unite science and art inspired by the sea, creating a powerful synergy that reflects the ocean’s immense force.”
RYBA’s 'Abyss. Life in Darkness' continues the legacy of the 2025 residency 'From Tides to Ebb,' also held in Odesa.
By highlighting the intersection of science and art, this exhibition fosters greater public awareness of marine conservation amid growing environmental challenges. Such projects are vital in sparking conversations about the health of our oceans and their ecosystems, making RYBA LAB a platform not only for artistic expression but also for ecological education.