vichnaya pam'yat

this piece was created to honor the millions of Ukrainians killed by russian genocide. the performance relies on the participation of an audience. a trickling of water and a tolling bass, reminiscent of church bells, awakens a figure. the figure begins to crawl delicately, yet uncomfortably, across the floor, choosing to blow out candles whenever it pleases. the audience is responsible for keeping flames alive by relighting each candle with individual matches. as the spirit grows more aggressive, and the soundscape quickens in pace, pressure of fate rises. a projection plays in the background of a sink drain and a dark dripping liquid, as gloved hands are washed. since 1932-33's Holodomor, to today's full scale war, the Ukrainian people have been subjected to murder, rape, famine, and terrorism by soviet and post-soviet russia. its victims and survivors are forever honored and remembered-- vichnaya pam'yat.