Price-less
Maria Gvardeitseva
Video Art, 3:06min
2023
Maria's performance “Price-less” explores collective memory by creating an immersive, culturally resonant artwork. The performance occurs in a cell-like space resembling a crypt, evoking sacred rituals. It reconstructs the traditional communal meal served after funerals in the Slavic republics of the USSR, inviting audience interaction and reflection on memory, tradition, and mourning.
The funeral meal, rooted in ancient customs and influenced by Orthodox Christianity, serves as a ritual to honour the deceased. In Soviet and post-Soviet contexts, these meals are often a mix of paganism, Christianity, and excessive drinking, reflecting a complex cultural history. The performance engages with these traditions, encouraging participants to consider the interplay of private grief and collective memory.
