My previous work had a large focus on processing my existential crisis of being the only Sakha student in American college town. Because of how my culture is being systematically erased by imperialistic ideology of “russkiy mir”, I have never met another Sakha person in America. And for some time, it felt like I just imagined everything and that even my native language doesn’t exist. As if my Sakha Republic has been reduced to a fantasy land.
This work has been done as a thesis project in 2022 at Illinois State University. It was made in Unity, all the assets are custom and were created in Blender, Krita. I like using my own assets, because I feel like it gives the personal touch and helps me convey my ideas. I like the process of creating them and I like putting a meaning to every asset I create. For me creating an environment in my projects is a process of a world-building as a Sakha person and artist.
This video was recorded during Spring 2022. In the beginning of the video there are words Суох Буоллун Сэрии. In Sakha language it means No War. Today in the addition to these words I want to add that as Sakha person I'm against russian imperialism. I'm against war that russia wages against sovereign country Ukraine in attempt to colonize them. Ukrainians have the right for self-determination. They fight for their independence. Arm Ukraine!
