ARCHIIIVE research
An artistic research with Alisa Probylova and Oleksandra Tsapko during School of Commons program
2025-2026, Zurich, Switzerland
How do memory preservation practices and mourning rituals function as forms of care in post-colonial and post-conflict societies?
In what ways do traditional mourning practices preserve cultural identity and promote collective resilience?
How can creative methods revitalize marginalized histories for future generations?
Body as an archive? How to work with the archive of trauma?
Bodies, stored trauma, archives, Ukrainian heritage and colonialism are not necessarily an obvious combination. Neither are they a simple one; nevertheless, through discussion, personal reflection and collected experiences, we have found interconnected links between these topics. Our goal was never to solve one issue but rather to investigate and question, develop methods for inquiry into topics that are simultaneously incredibly personal and hold collective significance. This research had two main inputs, which existed separately before SoC and perhaps will take on different (individual or collective) forms beyond the programme. What connected us is our motivation to look deeper into our respective topics with unexpected inputs from each other and our peers. Hence, an unobvious combination of topics and methodologies.
Photos from the embodiment workshop led in June 2025 during School of Commons intensive research exchange weekend.