ID is a research-in-progress and a performative statement reflecting on the concept of citizenship, politics and propaganda. The idea came to me out of my personal experience being a Russian national abroad after February 24 2022. Holding cosmopolitan liberal views, I struggled with the idea of belonging and personal identification, as well as concepts of collective guilt, shame and trauma being communicated in dozens of messages in the media and social networks. I picked up a national hockey T-shirt and practiced moving in it, trying to embody the feeling of my nationality being imprinted in my body - and ways I can transmit social interactions I’ve been through as a Russian national bodywise.

What are the strategies? Stand strong, be willing to receive, shy away, treat the subject ironically, confront it? What are the ways to speak about the trauma and pain without triggering obvious wounds? What are the ways to stay personal and human-holistic while talking politics?

I started my research with a provocative gesture, yet I am looking forward to expanding it and finding less triggering ways to deliver a message. I feel that lab peer group can add on a lot more to it from the perspective of the Other - other nationals, other human beings, other yet very resembling political situations and personal experiences, based on their IDs. I started this research as a solo performance, yet I think that having co-authors and co-creators can benefit it more.