Artists turn to the “ruin porn” style as it helps them to reveal more about the context of the video work. Developing a new project, the art collective seeks to delve into the complex cultural and social processes that have influenced Ukrainian society and its art.

The concept of the video work is a story about Will and the world before and after the war. A world that used to be full of life and movement but is now mutilated and crippled. Girl symbolises Ukraine. This image can be considered feminist because it highlights the importance of the role of women in national history and culture.

The video work uses the lines of a poem by Vasyl Stus called “According to the Annals of Samovydets”. It depicts the Ruin period in Ukrainian history, the beginning of Moscow's annexation of Ukrainian lands, the betrayal of national and state-building interests, and the selfishness and greed of the statesmen of that age. This image became a symbol of despair and constant resistance of the nation in times of tragic events. These lines are in many ways reminiscent of modern days when yet another desire of Muscovy to divide Ukraine takes place, and there are people who go on fighting for their freedom.

Stus repeats the wording “stolen sun” twice. It stands for the sun that they are trying to take away so that it no longer shines over peaceful Ukraine so that the state is destroyed and sunk into oblivion. It reminds us of how crucial memory is as well as of the cyclical nature of the past and preventing repeating the mistakes that lead to the tragic events of today.

This artwork was created with the support of the Asortymentna Kimnata gallery at the residence “When was the story interrupted?” at the Khata-Maysternya (Babyn village, Kosiv district, Ivano-Frankivsk region).

Cinematographers: Alexander Len and Nadiia Rohozhyna
Actresses: Natasha Chychasova, Uliana Sukach-Kochetkova, and Sana Shahmuradova-Tanska
Composer: Maria Zhdanova
Voice-over: Anton Saienko
Text: Alexander Len and Nadiia Rohozhyna