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The Woman, Sand, and War

By Pat Racimora on September 27, 2009 at 8:45 PM in Current Affairs

It never occurred to most of us that an artist as intense, insightful, brilliant, passionate, and brutal yet somehow graceful, could ever compete with Pablo Picasso’s La Guerinca when it comes to unveiling the horrors of war through artistic expression. Guernica, first displayed in 1937, depicted the human suffering experienced during the Spanish Civil war.

Fast forward to 2009 and the astonishing talent of a beautiful young woman named Kseniya Simonova, who will simply blow you away.

Kseniya won the Ukraine’s Got Talent contest as a “sand animator.” I confess that it sounded kind of hokey when I first heard about it. Forgive me, Kseniya. I will never forget your flowing and sometimes violent depiction of the German invasion of your country during World War II, as we struggle with two wars ourselves. But most of all, I will always remember your talent that exceeds any description using mere words.

Be prepared for 8 minutes of stunning wonderment.

jangles

I am speechless. Where? Any translation for some of this?
hc123

wow
Stan Davis

This is for real, right? No trickery?

Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Pat Racimora

It’s real, Stan. Live performance.
Pat Racimora

I couldn’t find one, but I would love a translation as well. It ends with “You will always be near” I believe (her handwriting).
Eastan

Pat. We all love art in word, music and visual form. When you, an artist we all love, ask us to spend 8 minutes I, for one, knew I should take the time. Thank you for sharing that. Your eye is as keen as Simonova’s talent.
beachnan

Thank you Pat. That was incredibly powerful. She is beautiful, gifted, and mesmerizing. She spoke volumes without having said a word. It reminded me of the quote I keep on my refridgerator, “life is a canvas, you are the artist, paint what you will.” Why does mankind choose more than we like, to paint that canvas with death and destruction? Thank you for the reminder that we have the ability to choose differently.
pm317

Wow, just wow!!!

I had heard about this couple of days ago but didn’t think much of it, silly me, it is just some sand artist, right?!

I would love to see the lyrics for the song (tried but could not find it.)
oowawa

Wikipedia:

Kseniya Simonova (born 1985) is a sand animator from Ukraine. She was the 2009 Winner of Ukraine’s Got Talent[1], constructing an animation that portrayed life during USSR’s Great Patriotic War against the Third Reich in World War II.

Simonova won ₴1,000,000 Ukraninan Hryvnia (approx. $125,000) for her first place in the show.[2] A YouTube video of the performance has received more than two million hits

Pat, this performance is, as you say “8 minutes of stunning wonderment.” And what a beautiful young woman! I didn’t know there was anything like this out there in the wide world. Thanks for bringing it to us.
Craig Della Penna

Astonishing, never saw much use for the “Got Talent’ shows, this sure proved me wrong.
Rich

Nice cartoon, and the video is wonderful.

The problem is that Pablo Picasso’s painting, and other such endeavors, I believe only influence those who are against wars and not those that cause them. Do you or anyone believe that Hitler, Genghis Kahn, the Japanese war machine, and others like them would have been stopped if only they watched this video? Do you think that Bush would not have invaded Iraq? Or, that Muslim extremists could be brought to stop all fighting or killing if only we had a way to make this available to them?

It is beautiful and passionate, and for those who enjoy it, I being one of them, I am happy that it is available.

Rich
Pat Racimora

Thank you so kindly, Eastan.
Solara 9

I’m not sure about your premise Rich. I think art can be more influential than intellect because it invades the heart and soul.
Solara 9

P. S. I loved the video and Pat, your illustration isn’t shabby either! Lovely.
ksclematis

Pat:
Thank you for bringing this artist for all of us to share. She is beautiful and so is her artistry….one very talented artist!
http://www.vnohosting.com/blog/blog1/?p=2476 The Woman, Sand, and War : NO QUARTER « New

[...] Continued here: The Woman, Sand, and War : NO QUARTER [...]
Linda Mac

I had seen this several days ago and have sent it to everybody I could think of practically demanding that they view it. It is one of the most spectacular performances I have ever seen. I was mesmerized. Thank you, Pat, for encouraging me to watch it again. I am again amazed at her talent and her beauty. WOW!
Peggy Sue

That was stunning, Pat. It’s a fine example of the power of art, regardless of the medium. No language barriers. You feel it. You know it. It enters and becomes a part of you.

Brava!

Thanks so much for introducing this young woman. Probably the best 8 minutes I’ve spent in quite awhile.
Don X

An amazingly talented artist depicting a painful time in world history. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Pat. I would have missed it. One more reason to check out sites like YouTube occasionally.
~~JustMe~~

Awesome wow so powerful.

Thank you for sharing Pat.
Texas Playwright

Stunning. I am equally speechless as some of you, even though my fingers can write. Thanks for including another artist breathing our humanity into a bigger crowd, Pat.
elaine

Thank you
helenk

thank you. there are not enough words. With her hands and imagination and sand she creates a world.
How wonderful

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE
Katmoon

So moving Pat, brought tears to my eyes; all of the art in motion together the music, the artist and her moment by moment snapshots of what is created from her heart. Thank you. Beautiful.
kenoshamarge

I never had much use for them either. This is proving me wrong with a vengeance. And never was I happier to be wrong.
Kay

I’ve watched this twice and absolutely amazed each time. I am not going to keep it on my emails forever. She is so beautiful and talented. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Kay

I’ve watched this twice and absolutely amazed each time. I am not going to keep it on my emails forever. She is so beautiful and talented. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Kay

I’ve watched this twice and absolutely amazed each time. I am going to keep it on my emails forever. She is so beautiful and talented. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. >
mountainaires

Wow, that’s amazing! Thanks Pat.
choo choo magoo

Thank you Pat!

I had seen the video before and was awestruck and wishing for a translation. But I must say you introduced her beautifully with the additions of your toon and Pablo Picasso’s La Guerinca.

At a time of every modern convenience, it is very telling that Ms. Simonova can tell such an emotional and compelling story through a medium that is both stunning in its simplicity and transient nature.
Ladydawnelle

sniff, sniff

WoW

then ending with “Unforgiven” by Metallica and my eyes flooded!
jbjd

Pat, painful and yet uplifting at the same time. I watched this last night and again this morning. Now, I need to watch Susan Boyle singing from Les Miserables (…”I never dreamed my life would be so different from this hell I’m living”…) and picture her seated on the piano bench, radiant in that exquisite black gown, transformed.
LJPdeZ

This talented young woman has discovered such a unique, beautiful and powerful way to tell a story without words. Who would have thought one could bring forth such emotions in an audience by using sand?
Ellen D

A beautiful act of performance art. Thank you so much, Pat, for featuring this.