The phrase "Place under the sun" does not have a specific meaning in either Czech or English. In Ukrainian, however, it can be understood as a synonym for a specific emotional state associated with self-awareness of human existence and an essential sense of happiness.

At its core, this metaphor embodies and evokes the fundamental values of the human, inalienable right to a contented and happy life in a safe environment. This is one reason why its significance has become so crucial in the present day.

The installation by Anna Solianyk can be interpreted in several ways. We can see it as a response to the ongoing war in Ukraine unleashed by Russia, which is systematically depriving Ukrainians of their homes—or rather, of their fundamental human right to such sanctuaries. The work thus serves as a nostalgic memorial to moments past.

In a broader global context, we can perceive the work as a warning about exploitation by the capitalist system and its inherently embedded social inequalities. These inequalities mean that a peaceful place under the sun—and indeed, the very possibility of seeing such light—can be a luxury that some will never attain, or one that is becoming increasingly rare due to the housing crisis or the nature of contemporary life.

The work also carries a strong environmental subtext. Anna created the light filtering through the branches artificially. This brings to the surface questions about the impacts of human activity on our environment, and specifically about our responsibility for the destruction of our planet. Will we all have to settle for an artificial “place under the sun” in the future?

Curators: Anežka Slováčková, Kristýna Kotíková 

Graphic design: Natálie Malá