Cordial Invitation

Cordial Invitation is an audio performance shown in the frame of “Coexisting with darkness” exhibition at Mystetskyi Arsenal in Kyiv.

In October 2022, Russia began to systemically target the objects of the Ukrainian critical infrastructure, disrupting the supply of electricity, water, heat, and telecommunication. Missiles and UAV strikes led to the introduction of rolling blackouts, causing cities and villages to be periodically engulfed in darkness. ‘Energy terrorism’ tactics aimed to disrupt Ukraine’s ‘mental infrastructure’: to break people’s faith in their own strength and their trust in government.

DIn reaction to the disruption, the government introduced ‘Points of Invincibility’ in every oblast, while Ukrainians started buying power banks, chargers, generators and invent their own ways of dealing with the blackout. “Cordial Invitation” refers to one of the coping experiences — brewing tea on candlelights’ fire, aiming to create a space, where the viewers could reflect on those events.