УYY is an acronym for Україна Yelena Yemchuk, meaning the Slavic word for «Ukraine» followed by the name of the Kyiv-born author of the present book. Given the misleading resemblance between У and Y, the title may at first appear to be «why-why-why».
The publishing project brings together the author's photographs, paintings and personal archive to bring out the essential elements of her wide-ranging and heterogeneous research. The story’s time is disjointed in fragmented visions, fleeting appearances, and shadow games.
Україна Yelena Yemchuk is like a daydream unfolding backwards. From last to first, each chapter provides a makeshift compass in order not to get lost in a maze of exceptions and coincidences.
The book is an invitation to escape from within the confines of common sense, to surrender to the vertigo of memory, to engage with the author in an inner and intimate dialogue through the image.