A kind of madness has taken hold in public spaces in post-Soviet Ukraine since the country gained independence in ‘91. While it has struggled financially and logistically to keep up with infrastructure maintenance, frustrated citizens arbitrarily modify and beautify their surroundings at will. Over time the accumulation of these various expressions highlights a way of life, and reflects the evolving psychological and sociopolitical mindset of Ukrainians. Meanwhile the country fights to maintain its existence against Russian influence and invasion, while living in the shadow of western economic abundance of the EU which lies just beyond reach.