The project BACKUPS OF WAR addresses the consequences of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which began in 2022. The author of the exhibition, Marcin Korbus, tells the story of the war through spaces and objects transferred from the realities of conflict into virtual reality. Guided by the voices of witnesses and participants in the events, the viewer is confronted with the scale of destruction and the consequences of violence while moving through places marked by trauma: from the interior of a bombed Orthodox church, through a missile crater in Kharkiv, to the basement in Yahidne, where more than 260 civilians were held for 28 days.

The foundation of the project is documentary material based on authentic 1:1 scale 3D scans, collected in various regions of Ukraine and made available as a digital record of trauma. The use of VR and MR technologies makes it possible to reach a younger generation. It also presents a new way of telling stories about conflicts — not only through images, but also through direct experience. The project consists of two parts. The first, fully virtual part (VR), enables interactive exploration of realistically reconstructed spaces, while reducing the distance between the viewer and the work. The second part, based on Mixed Reality technology, allows the viewer to move through the physical space of the gallery and interact with 3D models. The interpenetration of VR and MR emphasizes the presence of a war that is still ongoing, as well as the impossibility of cutting oneself off from its consequences. The exhibition is a testimony to war in a digital, realistic record, and an archive of memory that recalls the gravity of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The exhibition is curated by Hubert Humka.

PLEASE NOTE: The project contains documentary materials which, due to their realistic depiction of the effects of war, may be considered sensitive content.

MARCIN KORBUS (b. 2000) is a visual artist, photographer, and camera operator. He is a student of Photography at the Łódź Film School. In his work, he focuses mainly on people, searching for truth and emotion within them. His practice also touches on themes such as transience, time, and interpersonal relationships. He is a member of the BraveBoy Studio collective. He lives and works in Łódź. His works have been presented, among others, in Paris at the "Polish Photo Brunch" during Paris Photo, in the SpinOFF section of Fotofestiwal in Łódź, in Sopot during the Sopot Festival of Photography "W ramach Sopotu" as well as at the Łódź Film School.

Production: Picture Doc Foundation
Partner: Łódź Film School
Gallery: Pracownia Duży Pokój
Coordination and production: Julia Klewaniec, Maryia Karneyenka
Project curator: Hubert Humka
Gallery curatorial team: Picture Doc Foundation
Visual identity design: Wioletta Kulas
Graphic support: Olena Deviatkina
Exhibition text: Hubert Humka
Text editing: Alicja Stocka
3D arrangement: Łukasz Pawłowski
Social media: Marta Ejsmont
English translation: Sophia Kalinowska-Werter
Belarusian and Russian translations: Yauhen Attsetski
Ukrainian translation: Olena Deviatkina
PJM translation: Alicja Famulska
Exhibition guided tours: Marcin Korbus, Natalia Siuchta, FSh1, Fundacja Wielozmysły, Olena Deviatkina
Authors of the scans on the posters: Karamelinka123, yaro.pro / Yaro Jackson, Zahi Al Khawand
Media patrons: Kwartalnik Fotografia, Oczy.Mag, Miej Miejsce, NN6T

The project was carried out with the support of the Warsaw Culture Office. The task “Borderlands – an open programme of multicultural art in Warsaw” 2026–2028 is financed by the Capital City of Warsaw.

The exhibition will be on view from 9 May to 28 June 2026.

The opening of the exhibition BACKUPS OF WAR by Marcin Korbus will take place on 9th May 2026 at 6:00 PM at Pracownia Duży Pokój, ul. Warecka 4/6, Warsaw (entrance from ul. Kubusia Puchatka).

Join the Facebook event!