Daniel Mesta: What makes your theatre apply distinctively Russian?
Vitaly Kogut: Great query. I believe probably the most Russian factor I do in my apply is that I’m attempting to find traumatized issues, which occurred to not the characters however occurred to me, and uncover these in my work. And that truly grew to become the idea behind my teatr.doc work.
Daniel: Do you think about the theatre that you just make to be significantly subversive or loud?
Vitaly: In some elements, sure. At some level, I understood that once you undergo the mastery of textual content—for instance, pure Russian classics like Nikolai Gogol… I spotted that you just need to say extra. My character needs to say extra. That’s why I turned to fashionable performs that assist me say extra. That’s why my play Russian Lullaby occurred. It manifested my political beliefs, my nation, my identification as a Russian.
Daniel: I need to discuss extra later about Russian Lullaby, however first are you able to inform me about your piece at teatr.doc? I’m sorry that it was cancelled.
Vitaly: Me too. It was a technologically progressive devised documentary piece about my very own rising up within the forests of Russia. The unique idea was a self-reflection of the artist, me, that was actually a commentary on the intersection of my Ukrainian heritage, sexuality, and childhood experiences.
Artists want to attach with their heritage and the world round them as a result of it’s what fuels us.
Daniel: If the battle in Ukraine had by no means began in 2014, what do you assume you’ll be doing proper now?
Vitaly: I undoubtedly can be in Kyiv. I had the plan to go to Kyiv and begin working there after commencement. In 2012 I began brief journeys there, and I understood that I felt actually good there as an artist. It collided with the historical past of my household. Somehow it evokes me so much. In 2004 and 2014, we witnessed two orange revolutions within the Ukraine, and I felt like one thing was altering, altering dramatically.
For the artist, I really feel that it’s so vital to attach with this. Artists want to attach with their heritage and the world round them as a result of it’s what fuels us. You see, the distinctive factor about western Ukraine, regardless of its Soviet heritage, is the liberty. I don’t know the way it works, however as quickly as I acquired to Kyiv, I felt like I used to be associated to this place. Old individuals discuss like my father talks. I felt at house. The placing factor, once you go to the Kyiv of 2012, 2013, 2014, you perceive that right here issues are attainable—persons are speaking about change.
Daniel: What are probably the most dangerous belongings you see Russian artists doing proper now?
Vitaly: To brazenly assist propaganda in your work. To attempt to artistically convey an thought of Russian supremacy over Ukraine and different elements of the world, which is going on proper now, truly. I believe it’s a betrayal of your career, of the humanitarian supreme of artwork. I see artwork as a humanitarian, liberating course of. And that is counterproductive to that.
Daniel: What do you assume Russia’s creative future seems like?
Vitaly: I believe that due to COVID and the apply of making theatre works distantly—and now so with many nice Russian theatremakers are overseas—Russian artists will get assist from all over the world to current their manufacturing in Paris, New York, Amsterdam, and different locations. They are getting the ground proper now—not after the struggle, proper now. We will witness one thing new. This entire wave of Russian theatre is just like the Russian soul that’s infiltrating theatre life all all over the world. I believe Russian theatremakers have extra to say proper now. We are all wounded, injured, by this case.