This project, 4383 days of the child, is part of my PhD research at the VCA & MCM at The University of Melbourne and it is about the recreation of home and the notion of homelessness. I was born in Ukraine and at the age of six experienced the Chernobyl disaster. My family was asked to move away from our home and leave everything behind, because all things, even the land, were infected by radiation. Ten years ago I moved to Australia. However, I did not find a home here. I have a house, but my home is still in Ukraine.


Photo by Oleg Viaz

The aim of my PhD study is to enhance our understanding about memory, place, migration and identity through examining the self and the social. This research is concerned with the process of remembrance, re-call and renegotiation of the personal experience of place, which involve trauma, migration and exile. This will cultivate alternative, unconventional ways of approaching the representation of memory. In particular, this project aims to create a resonant, lived and immersive experience of home/homelessness. Drawing on particular dramaturgical strategies: a designed and constructed installation, and performance modes including immersion and participation, the performance seeks to evoke and express a notion of home/homelessness that the audience experiences through their senses.


Olena Fedorova - photo by Oleg Viaz

I was always fascinated with the idea of inviting people into my childhood home. An attic, a basement, wardrobes, shelves, nooks and every corner filled with mysterious and unforgettable memories of the home that was swallowed by nature after the Chernobyl disaster of 1986. Through the occasion of this performance installation, I am now reflecting upon the loss of my home in this catastrophic nuclear accident. To capture the atmosphere of “the disappearing home-ghost,” I share with you some random snapshots of 12 years (4383 days) of childhood, in order to cherish every moment of the child in an intimate homecoming…



This performance will invite the audience to move around in differently constructed sections of a suburban house and explore a labyrinth of memories. The limited season is programmed prior to venue demolition. 

Team:
Devised by Olena Fedorova
Inspired by Natasha Davis
Lighting Design Amelia Lever-Davidson
Sound Design Piotr Novotnik
Production Manager Lara Tumak
Producer Gwen Holmberg-Gilchrist
Performed by Olena Fedorova, Olena Garbarchuk, Christina Kamenev, Taya Kovaleva, Marina Scharapanovskaya, Sonya Vukovik, Marina Zakharova
Special thanks to: Richard Murphet, Stefan Romaniv, Elena Stadnik, Elena Akopova, Yriy Chernyak, Tanya Odegova, Greg Blunt, Yulian Ulis, Kate Svyatitskaya, Oleg Viaz, Kon Akopov, Konstantin Petrov, Max Terentev, Roman Zakharchenko, Sergey Stadnik, Irina Petrova, Natalia Terenteva and all my family and friends

Details:
It is a Ukrainian suburban installation at 10 Bolinda Street, Bentleigh VIC 3006.
The home will be open for guests between 5th and 15th of December at either 7pm or 8.15pm for a visit of 45 minutes.
Bookings are essential as there is a limited capacity of 5 guests per visit.
Please book here: http://www.trybooking.com/GHVB

We have a beautiful team and we need your financial support to help realize the full potential of the original and important new site-specific work. Your support will go towards realizing production cost, venue hire, set design, power connection and disconnection and transportation of the elements for the installation. We can all make it happen!

Budget breakdown:

$2500 - production cost (venue hire)
$600 - set design
$300 - power connection and disconnection
$100 - transportation