Burning Man Festival Features Ukrainian “I’m Fine” Sculpture Made from War-Damaged Materials

Burning Man is a unique festival in the Black Rock Desert that gathers thousands of people from around the world to celebrate art, self-expression, and community. This year, the festival features an extraordinary installation created by Ukrainian artist Oleksiy Sai and his team. Their work, titled “I’m Fine,” offers a profound depiction of the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people amidst ongoing war.

The “I’m Fine” installation is an elaborate sculpture made from elements that have been damaged by Russian rockets, shells, and bullets. From a distance, the sculpture appears as a set of large, bright, and almost playful letters spelling out “I’m Fine.” However, a closer examination reveals a deeper, more somber story. Each letter is meticulously adorned with fragments from war-damaged street signs, fences, and gates, integrating the visible scars of conflict into the artwork.

Craftsmanship and Materials

The installation is composed of various materials, each with its own story:

• Pedestrian Crossing Signs: Twelve signs, scarred and torn by shrapnel, symbolize the tragic loss of life early in the conflict. These signs, once guiding the everyday movements of people, now serve as a stark reminder of the innocence lost.

• “Children” Signs: Two signs marked “Children” were salvaged from areas near a completely destroyed school in Kherson Oblast. These signs, once a symbol of safety for young students, now stand as poignant markers of the war’s impact on education and childhood.

• Shopping Center Fragments: Pieces of a shopping center in Kherson, including remnants of a McDonald’s and various stores, are included. This shopping center, once a hub of daily life, was reduced to rubble by tanks in the early days of the invasion.

• Town Signs: Large road signs bearing the names of towns such as Velika Krynytsia, Kherson, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv are part of the installation. These signs, some of which were among only three in Kherson, represent the geographic and emotional scars of the war.

• Gates and Fences: Heavy iron gates from Makariv, twisted and bent by blast waves, reflect the devastation inflicted on ordinary homes and families. These pieces speak to the personal and community losses experienced throughout the conflict.

• Solar Panels and Transformers: Sections of destroyed solar panels and transformers highlight the environmental and infrastructural damage caused by the war, illustrating the broader impact on green energy and public services.

• Playground Equipment: Fragments of playgrounds from areas where civilians have either been killed or displaced are included, symbolizing the loss of safe spaces for children.

According to Vitaliy Deynega, one of the project’s initiators, “One American said that our installation contains so much sorrow and death that it’s hard to bear and he cried. Another said it has a lot of strength because if we were victims rather than warriors, we wouldn’t have brought it here.”

The “I’m Fine” installation not only embodies Ukrainian resilience and strength but also serves as a reminder of how people can maintain their dignity and courage in the harshest of conditions. In a reality where life becomes a norm nobody chose, Ukrainians continue to fight and celebrate life.