On January 24, now 11 months since the invasion of Ukraine, I visited the Small Arms Inspection Building (1352 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga) to experience the interactive exhibition, Doors, Through the Horrors of War, curated by Ukrainian-Canadian contemporary artist Ruslan Kurtveliev.
The exhibit consists of 33 framed photos, taken by various Ukrainian photographers over the past months, of various doors that have been destroyed by the Russian invasion. These are beautifully displayed in the expansive space offered by the Small Arms Inspection Building (now owned by the City of Mississauga).
In a separate room, several real doors from the urban battlefields are displayed in a subdued setting that also includes a video that outlines the horrors of the war. The artist views doors as offering a parallel with lives, as millions of Ukrainians have been forced to cross the doors of their houses to escape the war.
The project was sponsored and made possible by The Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival. It can be viewed until February 1st at the above address between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, with free admission.
Text and photos by Peeter Põldre
Photo gallery
