Aza Nizi Maza studio

Kharkiv, Ukraine

Aza Nizi Maza is an art studio for children and adults, founded by Mykola and Maria Kolomyets in 2012.
The name of the art studio comes from Federico Fellini’s film “8 and a Half”. In it, the wizard suggests this word to the main character and says that creativity is impossible without this word. This is the word “Anima”, that is, “soul”, pronounced in children’s code, where a syllable with “z” is added to each letter: A (za) NI (zi) MA (za).
Before the war, the “AZA NIZI MAZA” studio is a creative and innovative art space. From the first day of the war, the “AZA NIZI MAZA” studio became a bomb shelter and a transfer point through which many people have already passed. There, underground, Mykola Kolomiets makes a poster diary “WHAT I SEE”, in which the works of the studio’s children are considered in the context of wartime. This project received a lot of attention in Ukraine and abroad.

What I See
War Diary

If only I could sprout a seed of new life here, in exile, to bring back home and grow my house back from the ashes.


Dasha K., 11 years old.

When we’ll win – the heart will blossom and will beat in memory of the fallen.


Veronica, 12 years old.

Sounds of explosions are louder than words.


Peter V., 12 years old.

A foe is flying ever higher, but we’ve
set his ass on fire.


Dan R., 10 years old

Subway station in Kharkiv, Ukraine
Subway station in Kharkiv, Ukraine
Subway station in Kharkiv, Ukraine
Subway station in Kharkiv, Ukraine

The white-winged doves are flying through the skies

The white-winged doves brought down enemy planes


Nastya S. 8 years old

Los Angeles, Jamala Consert 2023
Los Angeles, Jamala Consert 2023
Helms Bakery District, Los Angeles