At the heart of Daria Nazarenko’s installation stands a profound question: How can we combat the challenges of our present times and bring our inner wealth to the outer world? This pursuit drives her exploration of non-verbal communication through hand gestures, poise, and body movements. Nazarenko invites us to remember and reflect on the ways we use our bodies, focusing on the language of gestures in everyday life and artistic expression.

Nazarenko’s research centers on the intimate and collective ways we communicate non-verbally. Her work includes a 2-channel film installation, a sculpture, and a participative performance, interconnected like movements within a symphony, offering viewers different facets of her exploration.

— 2-Channel Film Installation: A performance that emphasizes gestures and rhythms, previously showcased at K21.

— Sculpture: Archived gestures crafted from porcelain, set within a glass book.

— Participative Performance: An interactive experience where viewers become part of the performance, contributing their gestures to a "library of gestures."

Our gestures are deeply ingrained, evolving throughout history as fundamental ways to connect with our community. However, in modern times, our bodies have become static, often forgetting the playful and engaging movements of our forebears. Nazarenko's work acts as an “archive of gestures,” reminding us that dance is a language and movement is a crucial form of communication that connects body and mind. Echoes of Resilience emphasizes the importance of movement in processing collective trauma and fostering resilience. In a world where monotony often dominates, Nazarenko challenges us to break free from static postures. Her work critiques the pact we’ve made with security systems, urging us to embrace the multitude of voices and capacities within us.

Nazarenko’s work serves as a reminder to reclaim the empathy and resilience found in movement and physical engagement, emphasizing that these elements are vital for our collective strength and healing. Through **Echoes of Resilience**, Nazarenko highlights the significance of movement and the role of physical engagement in our lives. Her work, in collaboration with designer Adrian Stoica, des Filles Desir, features a dress made from sneaker fabric, symbolizing movement and the dynamic nature of human gestures. This dress embraces the body as an archive, soaking in gestures, and reinforces the idea that dance and movement are powerful tools for connection and healing. This installation is a call to action, reminding us that the way we use our bodies profoundly impacts our inner and outer worlds.

— Movement is free: Participation in these performances is voluntary, inviting viewers to engage freely

— Movement transcends ordinary life: The performances and sculptures create a unique realm of expression beyond everyday routine

— Movement establishes distinct boundaries: These artworks create immersive experiences separate from daily life.

—Movement creates order: The structured performances and crafted sculptures reflect the inherent order within playful gestural communication.

— Movement is non-materialistic: The aim is to evoke memories and emotions, fostering connections, rather than profit.

Her work can be embodied with the essence of play as described by Johan Huizinga in "Homo Ludens", with the term "play" referred to as "movement"

TEXT BY PALINA SLUZKAJA

Whole Concept and Choreography by Daria Nazarenko

PERFORMERS IN THE VIDEO:
Beckley Adeoye, Daria Nazarenko, David Mayinga, Enting Zhang

VIDEO COSTUMES BY: Karisma O. Ekeh
CAMERA: Stifter Studio

SUPPORTED BY:
SIGMA AV, BRIO KONTROLLSPIEGEL GMBH, FOTO CENTRALLABOR OEDEKOVEN