Venue: Tramshed, The Strand, Derby, DE1 1BA

Date: 17th and 18th March 2022

Hymn for Ukraine is a major experimental art event, staged to create a sonic and visual vigil in support and solidarity with Ukraine and Ukrainians in their time of dire need.

The work uses cine film footage of blossom that appeared at the start of the invasion of Ukraine, Thursday, 24th February as a symbol of hope, resilience, and rebirth. Long lengths of cine film are threaded through the strings of electric guitars and bonded together to form a loop. Each guitar is tuned to one of the chords of the Ukrainian National Anthem. The result is 7 film projectors, 7 images of blossom, 7 guitars, 7 guitar amplifiers, simultaneously filling the vast Tramshed building in Derby City Centre with the acoustic tones of Ukraine’s national identity.

The work performed on the 17th March was prefaced with the Ukrainian Association of Great Britain performing the Ukrainian National Anthem in voice and with traditional instruments. The work was programmed as part of FORMAT Presents www.derbyquad.co.uk/FORMAT22Presents

Many thanks for the support and generous contributions by Clowes Developments (clowes.co.uk), Dubrek Studios (dubrek.co.uk), and Guitar Superstore (guitarsuperstore.com).

Donations to the following would be greatly appreciated: www.gofundme.com/helpukraine

The video below was made in the early hours of 20th March in order capture the audio and film projections without an audience being present. This represents my most complete ‘vision’ of the work, even though the interaction of an audience is integral to a public performance. The low thud you can at the outset is the sound of bass from a nearby night club.