Photo by Natasha Masharova
ANATOLI ULYANOV
Writer, Researcher, Visual Artist
dadakinder@gmail.com
BIO
Anatoli Ulyanov (b. 1984, Lviv, Ukraine) is a writer, filmmaker, and photographer with decades of experience in media. He holds an MA in Journalism and is a PhD Fellow at UCLA.
Since the early 2000s, Anatoli has advocated for freedom of expression, diversity, and inclusion.
He co-founded PROZA, one of Ukraine’s first online cultural media platforms, and was the co-editor of SHO Magazine, known as “the bilingual outlet of cultural resistance.”
He also created the DADAKINDER blog and co-created looo.ch to investigate society critically, support the LGBTQ+ community, publish thought-provoking art, and promote egalitarian democracy rooted in systemic change, the commons, and collective decision-making.
Anatoli’s work is critical of those in power and was banned under pretexts of “threatening public morals” (UKRAINE) and “propaganda of homosexuality” (RUSSIA).
While opposing extreme conservatism, nationalism, xenophobia, and censorship, he faced violent persecution, was forced to flee his home country, and was granted asylum in the US.
At the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center in Kyiv, Anatoli led the development of documentary-based genocide-prevention media aimed at fighting hate, fostering inclusion, and igniting public discussions on history, memory, identity, and trauma.
Videos produced and co-produced by Anatoli have amassed over 40 million views. His work has been showcased at international festivals and venues, including LA State Historic Park, Watermill Center, Bowdoin College, ArtDocFest, Beat Film Fest, RVLT Festival, and The Jewish Museum.
Today, Anatoli Ulyanov continues his research, examining how narratives, symbols, structures, and artifacts affect self-perception and social behavior.
His creative work focuses on emancipatory politics, marginalized people, and underrepresented communities.
EDUCATION
2024 — Ph.D. Fellow, Dept. of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Languages & Cultures, University of California / Los Angeles, CA
2006 — M.A. Journalism, Taras Shevchenko National University, INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM / Kyiv, Ukraine
2005 — B.A. Journalism, Taras Shevchenko National University, Institute of Journalism / Kyiv, Ukraine
RESEARCH INTERESTS
LENS CULTURE PORTRAIT AWARD 2020 – FINALIST
EXPERIENCE
Co-Founder of MAGIC EYES WORK (2022 – PRESENT)
HEAD OF THE MEDIA / YAR / BYMHC (2020 – 2021)
Co-Founder of VVHY Visual Lab (2014 – 2022)
Co-Founder of Looo.ch (2010 – present)
Co-Founder of PROZA MAGAZINE (2003 – 2009)
Deputy-In-Chief of SHO MAGAZINE (2007 – 2009)
Reporter of X3M Mag (2000 – 2003)
PUBLICATIONS
Lomography
LENS CULTURE
Feature Shoot (1, 2)
Aint-Bad
Broad (1, 2)
Fotografia
Paradise (1, 2)
King Kong
Bird In Flight
Voyage LA
NolaVie
Russia-K
Future Balance
GLOBAL VOICES
Wonderzine
AUTONOMIE
FOTODEMIC
LEFT EAST
Variance
TECHDIRT
GAWKER
ANIMAL
Knife
VICE
APPEARANCES
2023 – NEW EAST CINEMA SYMPOSIUM (PITTSBURGH, PA, USA)
2023 – WAR BY OTHER NAMES (16BEAVER, NY, USA)
2022 – BENEATH THE SURFACE (KPFK/JACOBIN RADIO, LA, USA)
2022 – ANTI-WAR FUNDRAISER (DSA PANEL, ONLINE, USA)
2021 – Transience (SIILK GALLERY, ATHENS, GREECE)
2021 – SKY. SHORTS (THE JEWISH MUSEUM, MOSCOW, RUSSIA)
2018 – Establishing Shots: Visions of LA on Video (LA, USA)
2017 – The Watermill Center Benefit & Auction (NY, USA)
2016 – RVLT Festival. 3rd edition (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
2016 – Inner Visions. Second Edition (Moscow, Russia)
2016 – Inner Visions. Second Edition (Minsk, Belarus)
2016 – Inner Visions. Second Edition (Kurgan, Russia)
2016 – Inner Visions. Second Edition (Chelyabinsk, Russia)
2015 – Inner Circles: Reflections on Belonging (New York, NY, USA)
2015 – Inner Visions. Second Edition (Saint Petersburg, Russia)
2015 – Inner Visions. Second Edition (Volgski, Russia)
2014 – Looo.ch @ Bowdoin College (Portland, ME, USA)
BIO