ABOUTABOUTEvery New Year’s Eve, fireworks turn explosives into entertainment. But while Danish children associate them with celebration, children in Ukraine face the daily danger of landmines and unexploded ordnance hidden among the rubble they play in.
The same explosive force that creates excitement for some children can destroy the lives of others. We just rarely see the two realities side by side.
We shot a series of close-up portraits of children wearing safety goggles, with explosions reflected in their lenses. By placing the danger right in front of their eyes, we created a striking visual connection between Denmark’s New Year’s celebrations and the devastating reality of children living with explosives in Ukraine. A familiar symbol of protection became a window into the danger — reminding parents and children that explosives are never just fireworks.