- March 26–27
Over two days, the Artists Showcase Talks brought together Indigenous artists and curators for engaging presentations and laid-back conversations. It was about sharing stories, ideas, and experiences at the crossroads of art, science, and culture.
March 26: Buryat Perspectives
With curator Timur Zolotoev and artist Ariuna Bulutova
Buryat curator Timur Zolotoev and Buryat artist Ariuna Bulutova discussed how Indigenous belief systems can inform contemporary art practices and explored how these practices can help reclaim lost knowledge and resist epistemic violence.
March 27: Sakha Voices
With artists Mariana Marakhovskaya, Diana Khudaeva, and Sardaana Barabanova
This was an inspiring session where the artists shared different ways of expressing Sakha identity through art and storytelling. Informal discussion was led by Sakha artists Mariana Marakhovskaya, Diana Khudaeva & Sardaana Barabanova. Sardaana and Diana shared their experience of shooting a documentary in the Arctic. The extreme climate of the region poses significant challenges to the filming process, making it complex and lengthy. Sardaana and Diana shared the secrets of filming in extremely low-temperature conditions. Mariana Marakhovskaya spoke about how the landscape and environment inspired her to create her works.
Mariana Marakhovskaya talked about how permafrost and snow aren’t just part of the landscape—they shape Sakha culture and daily life. She explored the meanings behind traditional patterns and showed a snowflake-shaped sculpture to highlight how central snow and cold are to Sakha identity.
Filmmakers Diana Khudaeva and Sardaana Barabanova gave a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to shoot films in the Arctic. From dealing with freezing temperatures and short daylight hours to figuring out how to make gear work in extreme weather, their talk was full of creative hacks and personal stories. They showed how being an Arctic filmmaker takes not just talent, but a whole lot of adaptability and determination.
