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.
Private View II 
I was curious if үou ever considered chnging tɦe structure of уоur blog?
Itѕ very wеll written; I love what youve ɡot to say. Βut maybe yօu cօuld а little mоre
iո the way of copntent ѕo people ϲould connect ѡith it Ьetter.
Youve ցot an awful lot օf text ffor oոly ɦaving 1 or 2 pictures.
Ϻaybe ʏou coulԁ space it ߋut bеtter?
LikeLike
Thank you for another informative blog. Where else may I am getting that kind of information written in such a perfect means?
I have a mission that I am just now working on,
and I’ve been on the glance out for such info.
LikeLike
There is certainly a lot to find out about this issue.
I love all the points you’ve made.
LikeLike
I’ll give you the Cliffs – Notes version, from their corporate
“consumer relations” reply:. Head on over to this fabulous denim shop, where you can sell or trade your old jeans and locate hip used denim apparel.
Besides I am tired of the ads like Dove that show women in as little clothing as possible;
yes it is great that they are using women with more realistic body
shapes but my feeling is that it isn’t necessary to have the product sold by
showing women in various stages of undress.
LikeLike
Others can target your ideal heart rate zones. That means you use as few as possible!
That is why running is considered as aerobic fitness 24 hour fitness exercise
gives you a target heart-training zone. Both helped to improve overall fitness and
build strength and stamina will decrease and any blood pressure or cholesterol
challenges you may of had.
LikeLike
” And there were numerous additional critiques, practically they all complementing the music piece and its writer. Back on the issue of student budgets, any students you know that are crying out for a replacement for their creaky old Pentium III laptop would surely benefit from having that portable radiator replaced with something fast, slick and functional. Kindle Fire Covers come in many styles and designs.
LikeLike
Airplane is one of the most quotable parody movies.
You have to be extremely willing, to discover about
these auditions. The serial advances using a group of gatherings,
including Santo getting married.
LikeLike
With red eye reduction on the camera flash will fire
a number of quick bursts prior to capturing the last picture.
The Canon T3 is maintaining the custom of the XS in that a raw camera
user can start using this camera immediately and get the great photographs they hoped
for. It is not uncommon for dust or dirt to settle on the inner
surfaces especially if they have not been worn for a long time.
LikeLike
Hі! I’ve been reading yߋur blog for ɑ long time nоw anɗ finally got tҺe courage to ɡo ahead аnd give yyou a shout out from New Caney Texas!
Juѕt wanged to tеll yօu keep up the greast woгk!
LikeLike
I’m not certain the place you are getting your
information, however good topic. I needs to spend some time finding out much more
or understanding more. Thanks for great information I used to be
searching for this information for my mission.
LikeLike
If ƴou aгe going for finest contents likke mе, just gо to see tҺis
web pagе daily for the reason that it pгesents feathre contents, thɑnks
LikeLike
Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it
was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly
enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger
but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any points
for beginner blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
LikeLike
The list shows the rank, title, artist, peak position () and the year the record
reached the peak position. The kitchen is considered the heart of the home,
most of us spending a lot of time in here preparing and cooking meals, eating, and
washing dishes. Eliminating the want for separate digital media gadgets that only present one function (this kind of as Roku 2 XS or Logitech Revue), in some casing shoppers are cutting
their cable cord.
LikeLike
The reality is that synthesizers need power to provide
practical samples. It sounds pretty helpful and soon you understand the ipad doesn’t
even have a camera. That’s something I’m certain of.
LikeLike
Iཿm not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your
blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website
to come back in the future. Many thanks
LikeLike
You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write.
The sector hopes for more passionate writers like
you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe.
All the time go after your heart.
LikeLike
It is simply often a really good idea with respect to one to refocus your zoom lens each
time one go as well as move to an additional location or
if the light changes. One diagnostic tool that is quite high tech, more so than many would habitually associate with
the plumbing profession, is the flexible fiber optic video camera.
Of course, it may lack some features and high definition capabilities, but it
definitely makes Sony the leader in home and family video.
LikeLike
This post is genuinely a fastidious one it helps
new the web people, who are wishing for blogging.
LikeLike
Yet another thing to mention is that an online business administration training course is designed
for people to be able to efficiently proceed to bachelor’s degree programs.
The 90 credit diploma meets the lower bachelor education
requirements and when you earn your associate of arts in BA online, you will have access to the most recent technologies in
such a field. Several reasons why students have to get their associate degree
in business is because they can be interested
in the field and want to receive the general knowledge necessary just before jumping right into a bachelor diploma program.
Many thanks for the tips you really provide in the blog.
LikeLike
Great post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I’m inspired!
Extremely helpful information specially the last section
🙂 I deal with such info a lot. I used to be looking for this particular info for a long
time. Thank you and best of luck.
LikeLike
Hello, of course this post is in fact good and I have learned lot
of things from it on the topic of blogging. thanks.
LikeLike
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am
inspired! Very helpful info specifically the final section :
) I take care of such information much. I was looking for this certain information for a very lengthy time.
Thank you and good luck.
LikeLike
Your smile shows alot about who you are and makes people behave accordingly.
The Brooklyn Heights Jewish International Film Festival screened its
second of three movies Sunday.
LikeLike
I delight in, cause I discovered just what I used to
be taking a look for. You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt!
God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
LikeLike
It’s the other way around,’ Wowie Wong, business development manager of
HP Philippines, said during the launch. It comes
in stock default with over-voltage installation that is 100% protective and short-circuit protective-proof as well.
There’s often a benefit to buying online because prices will be slightly cheaper and using hp laptop coupon codes it will be more less in
price, and you can configure a laptop to your specific needs.
LikeLike
Howdy I am so excited I found your webpage, I really found
you by accident, while I was looking on Google for something else,
Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thank
you for a remarkable post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design),
I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in
your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the awesome job.
LikeLike
Thanks in support of sharing such a fastidious idea,
post is fastidious, thats why i have read it completely
LikeLike
I blog quite often and I seriously appreciate your information.
This great article has truly peaked my interest.
I’m going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new details
about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.
LikeLike
I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog.
Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is
rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays.
LikeLike
Their relationship became more powerful than ever.
The trailer for the movie did allow it to be seem promising though.
Everyone gets what they had coming, the closing they deserved.
You will find free PSP video converters out there.
LikeLike
It operates in conjunction with your i – Tunes account, or you can have a number of
other connections, based upon what you want to view.
s time to prop up the bottom of the Apple – TV and expose all of its internals.
One of the biggest changes is the fact that Apple has removed
the permanent storage (hard drive) from the device.
LikeLike
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
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 developer to create your theme?
Fantastic work!
LikeLike
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you
wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with
some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog.
A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.
LikeLike
Quality posts is the main to be a focus for the users to visit the website, that’s what this website is providing.
LikeLike
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something that helped me.
Cheers!
LikeLike
Bluesy soundtrack and its good looks offer shallow appeal to it.
The Kerasote $5 movie ticket went away from the Olde Town Arvada Cinema last month.
One of the latest laptops presented by HCL may be
the HCL MiLeap X series.
LikeLike
It’s about knowing your dream and living life the
funnier approach. Break-ups are hard for everyone, even for
celebrities. 8:30 PM – In ways our big game Jimmy to handle “Big-Game” James leading down today’s game.
LikeLike
Wow that waѕ ѕtrange. I just wrote аn very long comment but
afteг I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
Grrrr… well I’m not wrting all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to
ssay gгeat blog!
LikeLike
I do believe all of the concepts you’ve introduced to your post.
They are really convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very quick for novices.
Could you please extend them a bit from subsequent time?
Thanks for the post.
LikeLike
It’s actually smaller that a notebook, and thus it’s easy to carry around.
You can also grade photos that others post, too. It’s one of many greatest free programs
for kids.
LikeLike
This is a topic which is near to my heart… Many thanks!
Where are your contact details though?
LikeLike
Hello to all, it’s actually a nice for me to go to
see this site, it includes important Information.
LikeLike
Only search for learning opportunities in your daily pursuits, and remember to relax and
have a great time! Obviously, you may also use these games
for when youare remembering someone.
LikeLike
Howdy! This is my first visit to your blog!
We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new
initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided
us useful information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!
LikeLike
I absolutely love your site.. Pleasant colors & theme.
Did you build this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m
wanting to create my own site and want to learn where you got this from or what the theme is named.
Many thanks!
LikeLike
Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.
If you know of any please share. Cheers!
LikeLike
Carrying a major weight will make it more difficult to
brake, which could lead to a serious accident due to the inability to slow down
when faced with a steep incline. It doesn’t matter that the bags leaked he contaminated waste all throughout the entire house when you carried them
out of the attic. The pet lover vacuum will see these kinds of places and draw the grime and
hair right from them.
LikeLike
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any
widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some
experience with something like this. Please let me
know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your
blog and I look forward to your new updates.
LikeLike
Hi there mates, its great post concerning educationand fully defined, keep it up all the time.
LikeLike
I have fun with, result in I discovered exactly what I used
to be taking a look for. You have ended my four day lengthy hunt!
God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
LikeLike