YNKYY PT.2

HD Color video, 1 min 37 sec, sound. Sakha Republic, March 2022



The continuation of YNKYY project is a video representing all three parts of Osuokhai - the sun-cult Sakha mass dance. It starts with the traditional worship, convocation by Olonkhosut (the leading singer) and repeats the three- part composition of the Osuokhai dance - “sahalahyn” (the beginning), “haami unkuu” (step dance) and “kotuu unkuu” (flying dance) - during which dancers reach ecstatic state, unity with the outside world and the Sun.

The video is accompanied with the recording of the original singing of Olonkhosut (a leading singer) and dancers in the Sakha language. It also contains my self-portrait videos showing my distinctive connection to the ethnicity. Being separated from the main group of dancers, I take an observational position which allows me to explore the inner core through the cultural pratices.