Installation by Studio Balbek Bureau Full of Meaning For Ukraine

'Home. Memories' is an art installation by Studio Balbek Bureau. This installation resulted from a collaboration with Wonder Workshop, responsible for its construction. This artwork was created at the request of the National Antarctic Research Center for the Ukrainian Vernadsky Research Base on the island of Galindez, Antarctica. The Balbek Bureau studio was asked to reimagine the look and function of the fuel tank: turning it into an object of interest to tourists and organically integrating it into the Antarctic landscape. The installation should also acquaint visitors with Ukrainian culture, as this will be the first point of contact with Ukraine for many.

Home Memories, Photo by Slava Balbek

With the direction, a way was chosen to wrap it with the outline of a typical Ukrainian house as a "home away from home" in the hope that this installation is a lasting memory of home as well as a daily reminder of something simple, warm, and affectionate for researchers as well as an inspiration to start planning a trip to Ukraine for tourists. Houses represented by slate roofs, chimneys, and distinctive windows form a composite of houses throughout Ukraine. This concept is applied by creating thin frames and details built around the fuel tank that create the impression that a person is reminiscing and sketching his childhood home from memory.

The initial concept of Home Memories, Photo by Slava Balbek

Home Memories, Photo by Slava Balbek

Studio Balbek Bureau's construction issue also considered the safety of this installation's strength because, in addition to the 12 inhabitants of the station, the island is home to more than 3,500 penguins. Therefore, the construction must be safe for local fauna but sturdy enough to withstand the attack of penguins, who like to disassemble buildings into pieces used for nests. Besides that, it must also be resistant to low temperatures, Strong winds, and bad bulk most of the year. The installation is built on a rocky field with a stage structure made of welded galvanized lattice floors, complemented by a series of wooden pallets as the main access to the 'Home. Memories', in addition, The old fuel tank is painted in Antarctic blue, coupled with a lightweight but sturdy frame made of stainless steel pipes.

Construction of Home Memories, Photo by Slava Balbek

Material details of Home Memories, Photo by Slava Balbek

In this design, Studio Balbek Bureau also made a mini-exhibition titled "symbolic mementos". The exhibition is like 'time capsules' containing symbolic mementos such as spruce branches, vyshyvanka fragments, and UNESCO-listed Kosiv-painted ceramic samples, in addition to a replica of a special silver coin, embossed original trident dating from the time of Volodymyr the Great which is part of the collections of the National Museum of History of Ukraine and the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.

Details of Home Memories, Photo by Slava Balbek

Details of Home Memories, Photo by Slava Balbek

Installation 'Home. Memories' began in December 2021 and were planned to be applied in March 2022. However, its implementation had to be postponed due to Russia's massive invasion of Ukraine in February, and this installation could be assembled in January 2023. Construction of the 'Home' installation. Memories have a new meaning for the millions of people who were forced to flee their hometowns and villages due to Russian aggression. Returning home became their biggest dream, an incentive not to despair even in the darkest moments, and Ukraine will create new memories of safe shelter in their homes. And along the way in Antarctica, this house will continue to stand firm for researchers and tourists as a tangible memento of Ukraine.

Home Memories, Photo by Slava Balbek

Home Memories, Photo by Slava Balbek