A Journey to build a Ukrainian home base under unusual conditions
The challenges and circumstances surrounding “Home. Memories” art installation in the Vernadsky Research Base
Noosferabalbek bureau
Pause due to full-scale war
On January 28, 2022, the icebreaker and the installation left for Antarctica. In March, the bureau's CEO Slava Balbek and Dmytro Zinoviev (Wonder Workshop) were supposed to install it at the station. However, russia's full-scale invasion in February postponed the plans.
In the end, the project was implemented only a year later, in January 2023, when Slava and Dmytro traveled to the station via a special invitation issued by the National Antarctic Science Center.
The Ukrainian Vernadsky Research Base by Slava Balbekbalbek bureau
To the edge of the world
The journey to Galindez, a whopping 17,000 kilometers, took more than a week. Two more days to the installation's setup – Slava and Dmytro located the structural elements shipped via the Noosphere icebreaker last spring and began installation under strict penguin supervision.
The old fuel tank was painted Antarctic blue. A podium was erected around the installation, allowing visitors to walk around. The structure was also reinforced to withstand ice and strong gusts of wind. And penguins!
‘Home. Memories’ by Slava Balbekbalbek bureau
Additional exhibits
The installation was supplemented with inscriptions, as well as an exhibit from the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, containing a replica of a special silver coin. The original, embossed with a trident, dates back to the time of Volodymyr the Great and is part of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine collection.
‘Home. Memories’ by Slava Balbekbalbek bureau
‘Home. Memories’ by Slava Balbekbalbek bureau
‘Home. Memories’ by Slava Balbekbalbek bureau
‘Home. Memories’ by Slava Balbekbalbek bureau
‘Home. Memories’ by Slava Balbekbalbek bureau
Dreams of home
A year after the project’s launch, the installation took on a brand new meaning. For millions of people forced to flee their hometowns and villages due to Russian aggression, returning home became their biggest dream, an incentive not to give up hope even in the darkest times.
‘Home. Memories’ by Slava Balbekbalbek bureau
The war will end in our victory, and Ukrainians will create new memories from the safe haven of their home. And all the way in Antarctica, for researchers and tourists alike, our house will continue to stand strong, a true memento of Ukraine.
‘Home. Memories’ by Slava Balbekbalbek bureau
‘Home. Memories’ by Slava Balbekbalbek bureau
Art installation "Home. Memories" is commissioned by the National Antarctic Research Center. The team of balbek bureau created the design, while the Wonder Workshop bureau was in charge of the construction. The installation was produced with the support of the Silpo retail chain.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.