The Soviet regime exploited the narrative of the "empty land" to justify its colonial policy, portraying the steppe as deserted before its occupation. However, both Russian colonial and European romantic visions are far from reality: the Ukrainian steppe has witnessed the rise and fall of many civilizations and preserves the centuries-old cultural heritage of the people who inhabited it. At various times, these territories have served as transit routes and refuges, places of cultural exchange and battlefields, including the current Russian war in Ukraine. These historical forces have created a unique identity among the people of the Ukrainian steppe, shaped by the constant pressure of history, the omnipresent sense of danger coming from the open horizon, and the ability to adapt, transform, and regenerate along with the landscape.

The CAMPORUM DESERTORUM exhibition explores the identity of the steppe through the eyes of those who live there, thus transcending imperial cartography. At the same time, CAMPORUM DESERTORUM serves as a metaphor for the stereotypes that outsiders most often create around various peripheral zones from positions of fear, superiority, or exoticization. The exhibition challenges these perspectives and gives a voice to those who have long remained invisible in their own Camporum Desertorum.