St. PETERSBURG IN DECEMBER

Upon the arrival of Boxes on the Train in St. Petersburg, the WBB traveling exhibition became breaking news. This unprecedented event was announced via television throughout the entire Russian Federation.

In the world of dark, abbreviated days and long winter nights, a team of Russian artists and organizers, including Tatiana Stepanova Ivanova and Polina Fedorova from the A/YA Society and Nina Vozobieva, of the Russian Museum worked together to mount the exhibition in a record two days.

Once the doors were opened, viewers were deeply moved by the personal expressions of women from around the world. Visitors expected images similar to the traditional painted boxes found in Russia, depicting fairy tales and troika rides. As viewers examined the boxes, they felt terror and awe at the intense and direct universal expressions, which ran the gamut from birth to death. Response to the exhibition is best described by young women viewers themselves.

I felt pain, sorrow, tears, yet hope. When our teachers suggested that we think about creating our own boxes, I understood that it is very hard to show my own inner world.

First, it is hard to get the better of fear; next, I don't know how to give my idea life. I'm afraid to discover and share my own world with other people, because it may not be interesting for most of them; they might not understand me.

The women in the exhibition are very courageous. I thank the participants for openly sharing their lives. Perhaps I'll do my own box in order to show my love for you, the earth, and the world.

Maria, student age 16, St. Petersburg

 

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After seeing boxes from Vietnamese, Cuban and Israeli women, I felt such a great pain in my heart. I understand the cries, tears, and sorrows of the persecuted nations.

I wish I could express the feelings I had while looking at each box. We should have more exhibitions like this that give us the hope of being understood and of being able to break the chains our society has put upon us.

The boxes open up the worlds, souls and hearts of women for others to understand and help us to find strength in our future fight with our destiny.

Helen, student age 16, St. Petersburg

Polina Fedorova personally accompanied the exhibition to the next venue, the National Museum of Kenya. Funds were raised in St. Petersburg and by WBB, California in order to sponsor her trip. In below-zero weather, Polina departed for her first trip outside of Russia to arrive in the heat of Nairobi with suitcases full of boxes just in time to assist with the installation and opening of WBB at the National Museum of Kenya. For this major effort, WBB is grateful to Polina for her determination and perseverance.

Lora Velikaya, Legends of Tundra	Polina Fedorova, Untitled
Natasha Schelkanova, Memory	Marta Brown, Untitled
Elisabeth Haitto Connah, WBB Sweden/Finland curator, Lorraine Serena, WBB Russia artists, Polina Fedorova WBB Russia curator	Teacher and students visiting WBB at the Russian Museum