Bark and Butterflies installation plays star role in Coventry Peace Festival

An installation telling a story of suffering and survival in Siberia is a fascinating piece of work, and a great part of this year’s Coventry Peace Festival.
As a child, if he didn’t eat his dinner Adrian Palka used to be told off by his father angrily saying that when he was young he’d had to survive on just bark and butterflies.
Many years later, Coventry University lecturer and artist Palka traced the terrifying route of his father and grandfather’s exile to Siberia and found himself in the hot summer surrounded by the swarms of butterflies his dad had talked about. The result is Bark and Butterflies, an audio visual installation on show in the foyer of Coventry University’s Alan Berry Building (opposite the cathedral steps) until Friday evening, and very much worth a visit.


In the Second World War Zygmunt and Jan Palka were sent by the political police from Poland on an 18-day rail journey in cattle trucks to a forced labour camp in Siberia. Zygmunt died there, but in 1942 Jan was released, a 16 year old thousands of miles from home. He made his way to the middle east, joined a Polish division of the British army and after the war lived in Britain. In 2008, Adrian inherited his diary.
This year, along with researchers Wolfram Spyra and Roksana Vykaluk he visited Siberia, travelling 5,000 miles in six days in “relative luxury” he said. At the opening of the exhibition, he said he had “wrestled with the problematics of middle European experience”, and had questioned himself about the narcissism of the project, which he said was “unapologetically personal”, but there were universal stories to be told.
The exhibition includes various works from the trip. There is a film of the landscape, some of it industrial, from the train. There are photographs of peaceful, pastoral scenes, and other shots of the landscape projected onto Palka’s torso, and stark train corridors. Pictures of his father and grandfather and a piece of writing add to the historic element.
However the centerpiece is a birch bark-built shed, containing an old suitcase holding birch brought back from Siberia, with film of lots of the butterflies they encountered projected on to it, while texts from the diary and a prose poem of his father’s is intoned simultaneously in English and Polish. It’s all mesmerising and moving.
Adrian said the Russian people he met were accommodating and helpful in his project, as they had helped his father, a young foreigner, survive.
Adrian couldn’t get to the actual camp where his father was held. It has been devoured by the forest, and in the height of summer when he visited the insect life meant it was impossible to try to walk miles to see the grown-over ruins.
However the combined parts of this work, centreing on the shed, make it something that really should be seen as another example of survival in the face of adversity, and an understanding of the horrors imposed by wars.

1,344 comments

  1. Hello! This post could not be written any better!
    Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate!
    He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this write-up to him.
    Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

    Like

  2. Gіven that you lready hɑve evey օne off these nifty
    functions ɑt уour disposal, yߋu maү be bе assured tҺat tɦis specific
    brand ոew witҺin-auto battle method is equally efficient beсause іn-foot fight method.
    Recollection: The very first time, Ԝe’onal played out the gta san andreas cheats tҺɑt wе didn’n hate.
    There maіnly ineide prvides ߋf ɑ feѡ.

    Like

  3. The Food Network application is just for you. This is great,
    so long as you eventually upgrade to the
    current iOS. Moreover, as a result of larger monitor, the iPhone 5 will
    receive a slightly new design.

    Like

  4. Polarising filters are a must-have accessory for any
    landscape photographer. The Canon products are not only high in
    quality but also available in worthwhile cost range.
    But there are only a few that put out top quality cameras.

    Like

  5. I’m гeally enjoying tҺe design ɑnԀ layout of ʏour website.
    It’s а very easy on the eyes wjich makes it mսch more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more օften.
    Diɗ you hire out a designer to create yokur theme? Excellent ԝork!

    Like

  6. I do trust all the concepts you’ve introduced for your post.
    They are really convincing and will definitely work.
    Nonetheless, the posts are very quick for novices. Could you please prolong them a little from subsequent time?
    Thank you for the post.

    Like

  7. Ιf үou аre Latina, J Lo or Eva Mendez woulԀ be thе best choice.
    Take the Marriage Quiz tߋ assess yοur chances ߋf achieving а successful marriage օf ʏօur own.
    shared іs her #1 preferred advertising method աhere you too ϲan achieve
    success.

    Like

  8. Property business ѡorld very hand oг foot finest in faϲt worth eѵery penny.
    Whatеver thе caѕe may be, if you have decided to ƿart աays with
    your autographed celebrity photos, tɦere aге somе іmportant steps уоu should taҡe in order tо
    sell tɦem. Вy action, affiliate marketing mеans promoting
    online merchants fօr commission.

    Like

  9. Created by a professional shiatsu practitioner Amy Galper,
    thhe Buddha Nose line iss all about living a greener lifestyle.
    Many consumers purchase massive quantities of beauty skin care products everry year in an effort
    tto find a ffew drops from the ever-elusive fountain oof youth.
    What you put on your skin is as important as what
    youu eat.

    Like

  10. Hello would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a hard time
    making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs
    and I’m looking for something completely unique.
    P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!

    Like

  11. Surely renewable energy is what all ccountries around the world ought to be promoting?
    The huge benefits of using green energy has been proven many
    times.
    Investing in renewable eergy can slash your electric bills, you don’t have to continue to pay high power costs.
    Installing solar panels is good finamcial sense and also herlps save this planet off ours for future generations.

    Like

  12. Quite properly, this may care for the situation.
    When it comes to stability, nothing could defeat the
    breach of the windows because of the ‘glass’ substance. But System
    restore includes a large amount of disadvantages.

    Like

  13. Thamks for a marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I
    will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back down the road.
    I want to encourage one to continue your great posts, have a nice day!

    Like

  14. Thanks for every other informative website. Where else may just I get that kind
    of information written in such an ideal way?
    I’ve a mission that I’m just now working on, and I’ve
    been on the glance out for such information.

    Like

  15. People that are used to AutoPlay get really frustrated when
    it stops working. By jailbreaking, you may also modify some adjustments about the iPhone.
    Who else gets frustrated using their online marketing efforts?

    Like

  16. Find your entire baby essentials and baby gifts at LollipopMoon.com.
    Therefore follow your desires, nerds, even when paying your costs sucks.
    For youngsters, the best part about winter is playing in the snow.

    Like

  17. Thanks for a marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed
    reading it, you are a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and
    will eventually come back in the foreseeable future.
    I want to encourage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice afternoon!

    Like

  18. 知っている私は私の見てみるに来た私達とウェブサイトグループがこれを共有しました。情報といくつかのいくつか 記事私はそれは私には新機能が実現。 とにかく 、私は今確かに
    喜ば 私が見つけたそれ、私がブックマークだろうそれをマーキングし、バックチェック頻繁 ! ビッグ巨大な あなたがしている
    あなたの手段の記述 全部この記事 は素晴らしい 、
    ニース書かれており、 含める と最新に更新され
    何起こっだどここれに新しい、私はつまずいこの私がしました
    発見この積極 便利私が出て負荷プラダ 財布 2014 新作プラダ トートバッグ オークションプラダ 財布 2014 SS

    Like

  19. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all folks you really realize what you
    are speaking about! Bookmarked. Please additionally seek advice from
    my website =). We will have a link change agreement between
    us

    Like

  20. Overall, if you want to get a tattoo designer, patience is
    key with it. If you do develop blisters which enable it to get in to find out the
    doctor that day (and use a few hundred bucks already there)
    you’ll be able to get an anti-viral medication. If the jumper company would like to charge you extra
    money for that insurance certificate, then they are probably not insured.

    Like

  21. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious
    what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like
    yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet
    smart so I’m not 100% sure. Any recommendations or
    advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

    Like

  22. したがって私は伝えるつもりです。 と
    人 必ずしも ヘルプ 記事 私たい状態 作る。
    これは、 と
    こんにちは ! 私は親指アップあなたのため
    私はすべての時間に使用される読む 執筆の一片ニュースペーパーのが、今はウェブの利用者だとしてしたがって今から私は記事をネットを使用していたコンテンツ 、ウェブに感謝します。 にリターン戻っ 好む ? どこ 見つける ものに改善私サイト 私は推測する !その十分な を利用するために

    グッチ キーケース 安い GUCCI バッグ アウトレット GUCCI バッグ

    Like

  23. Hi outstanding blog! Does running a blog like this require
    a massive amount work? I’ve very little knowledge
    of computer programming but I had been hoping to start my own
    blog soon. Anyway, should you have any ideas or tips for
    new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic
    but I simply had to ask. Thanks a lot!

    Like

  24. The 2nd transmission that was challenging enough to manage the LS6 was the turbohydromatic 400 automatic transmission.
    Once the exterior was looking spiffy, it was time for – Terry
    Brother’s Custom Upholstery in Atlantic Beach,
    Florida, to recover the factory stock seats with TMI’s upholstery kit.
    Just as palm trees represent fun in the sun, so do convertibles,
    and who doesn’t want that feeling of being on
    a never-ending vacation.

    Like

  25. Among the sea of Ford, Dodge and Chevy rigs, I managed to flag-down my cousin in his GMC.
    Your main objective is to travel certain distances and
    reach goals without crashing. As of December 5, 2013, there was an Attack
    on Titan game for the Nintendo 3DS called Attack on
    Titan: The Last Wings of Mankind hit store shelves exclusively in
    Japan.

    Like

  26. お知らせ私は議論。 によって引き起こさ
    sincerness が伝えに記事は I 見 閲覧。と ON この記事 %のBLOG_TITLE %である。私は た移動しました
    と ウェブページのウェブページ私はあなたを頻繁に時間非常に最初の一 ?私は驚かと分析 あなたは
    あなたのモードの記述 すべてこの記事
    こんにちは有益と
    私が持っている 学ぶ いくつか ちょうどここのもの。
    確かに 値再訪のためのブックマーク。
    プラダ 財布 2014 人気 プラダ カナパ デニム PRADA リュック v135

    Like

  27. It Is A distinct improvement in the iphone 5. This application is advantageous for keeping phone numbers and addresses onthego.
    Then strike your neighbors and you create armies and have to consider property.

    Like

  28. Fish has ѵery high amounts of protein and contains only a few carƅohydrates and
    saturated fat. Using a supрlement withߋut any training proցram
    is pointless. Gaining muscle can be a challeոging process
    for anybody, bսt if yoս attempt to do it without
    a properly designed diet and exercise program you are just askіng for
    poor ցains.

    Like

  29. Hey there, I think your blog might be aving browser compatibility issues.
    When I lok at your blog sige in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in
    Internet Explorer, it has soje overlapping. I just wanted to give
    you a quick heads up! Other then that, wonderful blog!

    Like

  30. The reason being the casting directors may call you back in.
    Due to her population status, others follow what she does.
    Erin Brockovich-One of two films to come from Steven Soderbergh in 2000.

    Like

  31. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for
    me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out
    a designer to create your theme? Excellent work!

    Like

  32. blood pressure being lower in young, pregnant women.
    In spite of their availability, both Avapro 300 mg and Amlodipine 5mg
    should be used only after a consultation with a health care provider.
    As far as diet is concerned you should completely avoid salty, spicy,
    sugary and fatty foods.

    Like

  33. Dofus has lots of nice people who are always willing to help you
    out. Indeed, this town is related with a famous painter-Mo Nai.
    Therefore, eating less to reduce calories and getting enough
    vitamins to promote metabolism are useful in losing weight.
    That is to say, when the body temperature tends to decline, the heat production will increase and the reduction will decrease to maintain the temperature about 37′.
    If you work sitting before the computer
    in the office all day, it is easy to out on weight. A real boon for those of us
    who have no sense of direction. The operating interface is full of novelty
    and no influence of Windows Mobile System has left on it.

    Like

  34. a photo, business card, personal notebook or form) and then automatically scans and saves the image with the appropriate settings.
    This printer still produces good quality of
    printing and provides good standards of scanning, copying, and printing
    processes. They are able to take on stock, picture paper, card, and regular paper to print on.

    Like

  35. Add an innovator board so people can see what level
    they are in and people will want to do better. Where can I find more to do with SPP and overseas
    education in Canada. SPP files get priority for assessment with regards to processing some time and less documentation.

    Like

  36. Hey there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone!
    Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look
    forward to all your posts! Carry on the excellent work!

    Like

Leave a reply to chiropractor Smyrna TN Cancel reply