Eight months later ten internally-displaced Ukrainians, aged 20 to 60, continue to live on site. Gradually, the arrangement of the common space by the efforts of IDPs and activists took an artistic turn. This culminated in the “musicalresidency” supported by the European institutions (Baltic Art Center, Milvus Artistic Research Center, Swedish Institute). The lack of direction or a clear script encouraged a joint activity even in the absence of a common vision — which, in turn, supported the practices of self-organization and shared responsibility that had emerged in this newly formed wartime community.

The “List of Improvements” sung by the participants of the musical calls into question wartime necessities, the superficiality of culture and the very dynamics of international solidarity. Another story, where self-defense skills are taught by the refugee Volodymyr, collates the narratives of pacifism and productive aggression. IDPs and artists exchange dreams and memories, make wishes, cook food in the midst of constant uncertainty. Ultimately, the musical takes the form of a concert of greetings: a series of empathetic messages between different contexts, generations, and types of experience.

The residency was convened in the frame of the Kindling project co-organised by Baltic Art Center and Milvus Artistic Research Center in collaboration with soma.majsternia and Sorry No Rooms Available and supported by the Swedish Institute and Freefilmers Mariupol.

Curated by: Olha Marusyn
Video: “My-musical” (We-Musical), 2023, HD, 42 min, edited by Myro Klochko

Opening May 5, 7pm