Ok, Let’s Talk About You Instead: Supporting Ukrainian Art

Dear friends, colleagues, and supporters,

I am raising additional funds to support and document Maria Plotnikova’s participatory performance, "Ok, Let’s Talk About You Instead," at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). This project is a crucial part of my thesis research, which explores female and queer Ukrainian art in the wake of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

We are incredibly grateful to have received support from the SAIC Enrichment Fund Grant, which has helped lay the foundation for this project. However, we still need additional funding to ensure that all aspects of the performance, documentation, and research are fully realized. Your contributions will help bring this important event to life and allow us to share its impact with a broader audience.

Why This Project Matters

Art has always been a powerful tool for resistance, healing, and storytelling—especially in times of crisis. Maria Plotnikova, an SAIC alumna and a renowned queer Ukrainian artist, creates immersive performances that foster deep conversations about guilt, emotional vulnerability, human connection, and collective trauma. This performance will bring together a diverse audience, encouraging participation through symbolic rituals like cake-sharing, interactive elements, and open discussions.

Following the performance, I will host an artist talk and a curatorial discussion on Queer Artists in Resilience and Shared Trauma, expanding on themes of identity, survival, and creative resistance. This event will be carefully documented as part of my academic research, contributing to a broader understanding of how Ukrainian artists respond to war and its socio-political consequences.

How the Funds Will Be Used

Your generous support will help cover essential costs, allowing us to fully realize the project's potential. These funds will go toward:

* Additional Artist Honorarium – Ensuring fair compensation for Maria Plotnikova’s time and work, and for the invited sound artist.

* Production Costs – Materials and supplies for the interactive performance

* Marketing & Outreach – Promotion to engage a wider audience

* Translation & Accessibility – Making materials available in multiple languages to reach more people

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help enhance this project’s impact and ensure that it is properly documented as a case study in my thesis.

Join Me in Supporting This Project

By donating, you are helping preserve and amplify Ukrainian queer and female voices at a time when they need to be heard the most. Whether you contribute financially or share this campaign with your network, your support is invaluable in making this project a success.

Let’s create a space for conversation, reflection, and resilience—together.

Donate & Share Today!

Thank you for being part of this journey.