YOU DO (NOT) EXIST / TEБЕ (НЕ) ІСНУЄ

performance, 60 min
object: (wood, soil, matches)
costume (knitting, burnt wood from Ukraine)
Ukrainian performance art festival «(in)dependencies», curated by TT Collective, Museum Villa Stuck Munich, Germany
2023

Tetiana Kornieieva's performance explores the complex issue of cultural colonialism and raises the question of why Ukrainian artists are often overlooked. Drawing on her personal experiences and the collective trauma of many generations, Kornieieva reveals that the root of the issue lies in the formation and spread of russian imperialism, the repressive apparatus of the Soviet Union, and the ongoing aggressive policies of contemporary russia towards Ukraine. Growing up in a Ukrainian environment - eating Ukrainian food, perusing Ukrainian art, and reading Ukrainian literature Kornieieva experienced firsthand the situation where Western Europeans still do not recognize Ukrainian culture as unique and original. To assert her cultural heritage, Kornieieva references texts and visual art works of Ukrainian writers and artists in her performance. Despite the suppression, destruction, and appropriation of their work, Ukrainian artists persevere in creating significant works of art that embody the zeitgeist. (Teresa Retzer)

ACT 1:
I am in the room, and people have already entered. I say, "Why don't people know Ukrainian artists? Let's discuss this today."
Matches are buried in soil inside a wooden box, hidden from view by the people.
ACT 2:
I begin to unearth these matches and arrange them as depicted in the image. The process of excavation is time-consuming,
and I handle it with care. Afterward, I ignite them and patiently wait until they have all burned. I then retrieved the lamp.
ACT 3:
I proceed to read a poem by Oleksandr Oles. Upon completing the text, a video is presented. This video comprises an archive
of artists who were victims of soviet repressions and the russian-Ukrainian war.


photo by Jörg Koopmann