News release details
A film sharing the stories of Ukrainian artists surviving the ongoing Russian invasion will be on display at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) to mark the one‐year anniversary of the start of the war.
Ukrainian Artists United profiles 11 artists living in Lviv, Ukraine (a full list of the artists and their bios is available via the link above). Their stories, told through images, voiceovers and music, provide insight into the human cost of the ongoing conflict. The film, with a 25‐minute run time, will play on a loop in the Level 7 theatre until September 30, 2023.
A public launch event at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow will feature the project’s creators, Darcy Ataman and Jason Willheim. They will share their experiences during the nine days they spent on the ground in Ukraine connecting with artists. It will also include a performance by the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus and the opportunity to view the full film in gallery. All galleries will be free after 5 p.m. as part of the Museum’s Free Friday Nights promotion. Media and the public are welcome to attend.
"The war on Ukraine has transfixed the eyes of the world with its senseless violence and malevolent attacks on human rights," said Ataman. "In the face of such depravity, these artists act as foils, calling on people around the world to take action in solidarity and defend basic principles of respect and dignity."
Prior to this event, a rally hosted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to mark the anniversary will be held outside the CMHR. The rally will begin at 6:00 p.m. and wrap up in time for guests to come inside and join the gathering.
"The ongoing attack on Ukrainians is a violation of their rights to democracy and self‐determination. Every day, we are reminded of the devastating human cost of war and the impacts on people around the world that will be felt for generations,” said Isha Khan, CMHR CEO. “We are honoured to share the voices of Ukrainians with our visitors through this important film, and to be a gathering place to remember those who have been lost and recommit ourselves to action.”
As a symbol of solidarity, the Manitoba Legislative Building and True North Square will show silent projections of images from the film on the exterior of the building after sundown on February 24.
Alongside the launch of Ukrainian Artists United, the CMHR’s music listening stations on Level 7 have been updated with songs from the Healing in Harmony program by Make Music Matter, of which Ataman is the Founder and CEO. The program connects survivors of trauma with therapists and producers to create songs about their experiences and begin the healing process.
About the creators of Ukrainian Artists United
Jason Willheim is a photographer based in Los Angeles, but his camera gear is always packed. His professional work has taken him to Kenya, South Africa, Borneo, Russia, China, France, Italy and Ukraine.
Darcy Ataman, M.S.C., O.M., is the founder and CEO of Make Music Matter. He has dedicated his work to bringing music therapy to survivors of conflict and trauma. In partnership with Nobel Laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege, he developed the “Healing in Harmony” program which is currently running in countries around the world. In 2019, Ataman co‐founded A4A Records and Publishing, creating a model that ensures artists living in extreme poverty and conflict zones can continue to publish and retain ownership rights to their work. As a music and video producer, he has earned several Juno nominations and collaborates with creatives around the world. Most recently, he completed the score for celebrated producer and photographer Platon’s documentary film My Body Is Not a Weapon. In July 2020, Ataman was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross by the Governor General of Canada for his outstanding humanitarian work. In July 2022, he received the Order of Manitoba for his dedication to enriching the lives of vulnerable populations in conflict and post‐conflict zones.