Documenting Resilient Culture: Fieldwork in Ukraine
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Dear friends,
How to conduct research in a country at war?
How to document science, culture, and resilience in a time of crisis?
While humanitarian aid delivers necessities and carries out rescue missions—including universities saving researchers and museums protecting invaluable artworks—life in Ukraine persists. Culture is not just surviving—it is evolving, adapting, and flourishing through the determination of countless individuals.
I invite you to join me in my fieldwork in Ukraine this summer to document resilient culture and learn how life/documentation/research is conducted in a high-risk environment. By supporting this fieldwork, you support not only my practice but also local communities and Ukraine. Millions of people continue to live in Ukraine, and many displaced individuals are choosing to return despite the risks.
*all photos from a personal archive of private tips to Ukraine from 2022
Why This Matters
My goal is to document these untold stories—the people who return, the artisans and designers who keep creating to support the evolving culture that fights for its existence, and the communities that continue to rebuild despite everything. This project is more than research; it’s about supporting cultural identity and documenting that Ukraine is more than a war zone—it’s a place of resilience, anf creativity.
Empowering people to keep working amid crisis is vital. Recognizing them as creators, not just victims, is an act of resilience. In 2022, many of you helped me bring families to safety—I am forever grateful. Now, I ask for your support in capturing the strength and perseverance of those who remain and rebuild.
What You Get in Return
By supporting this project, you’ll become a part of the journey of documentation and research in a high-risk environment. Every donation helps make it possible. You can follow the updates from the field, offering a direct connection to the stories being documented through my IG account.
If you can’t contribute financially, sharing this campaign with others is just as valuable.
What I Will Do
For two months, I will immerse myself in Ukraine—attending cultural events, visiting museums, and recording interviews with returnees, artisans, and community leaders. I will document this journey in real time, sharing insights and reflections along the way. For ethical reasons, I will not disclose personal information about displaced individuals. Instead, I will offer glimpses into their lives through the objects, crafts, and artifacts that tell their stories.
How the Funds Will Be Used
All money raised will directly support my fieldwork in Ukraine:
- Travel Expenses – Transportation and accommodation for field visits. Many locations are remote and will require private transportation.
- Stipends for Artisans – Supporting local artists for their time and contributions. They are always eager to share their craft and stories with me, and I want to honor their generosity by valuing their time.
- Acquiring Historical & Contemporary Artefacts – Expanding my Living Archive, which I began in 2022, to document cultural heritage.
- Possible Direct Aid – Offering support to vulnerable communities when needed, ensuring that my presence has a meaningful impact beyond documentation.
I am personally covering all my gear and research tools, and I have chosen to give up my space in Helsinki, becoming temporarily homeless and putting all my belongings in storage to fund my daily expenses. This project is deeply personal, and I am fully committed to making it happen.
About me
My name is Nastasia Fomina. As a designer and researcher, I have spent years working with displaced communities, supporting humanitarian initiatives, and documenting cultural shifts. My commitment to supporting my community began in 2014 with Love Ukraine, a project sustaining local artisans and fostering Made in Ukraine production in a time of uncertainty.
Since February 2022, I have supported over 30 Ukrainian displaced families in relocating and, later, organized aid packages for people who stayed. With the intO design agency, I co-led a fundraiser for vulnerable groups, personally delivering essentials like medicine and food and covering heating costs.
For nearly three years, I have collected stories of displaced individuals, leading me to pursue a PhD at Aalto University. This fieldwork will contribute to my PhD research and, as a final report, will be an exhibition - "Fieldnotes from a Country at Risk."
Join Me in Documenting Resilience
Ukraine’s story is still being written—not just through war but also through the people who refuse to let their culture disappear. By supporting this project, you are not only funding critical research but also directly supporting Ukraine. Every euro spent goes back to the people—into their hands, their craft, and their communities.
Help me capture this moment in history
- Donate now
- Share this campaign to spread the word
- Follow my journey on IG
Thank you for your support!
Organizer
Nastasia Fomina
Organizer
Espoo