On July 2, 1996 in Kamianske (until 2016 - Dniprodzerzhynsk) the biggest catastrophe in the history of electric transport in Ukraine took place. Around 6 p.m. the tram "KTM-5" (the inventory number - 1044), followed the route number "2A" along Chapaeva Street (from 2016 - Getman Doroshenko) down towards Anoshkina Avenue. There were more than 150 people in the tram.
On a steep and very long descent, the tram braking system failed. Valentina, the driver, warned passengers about bad brakes before descending. The tram rapidly gained speed, the driver lost consciousness, the controls were taken over by the mechanic, but he was not able to prevent the catastrophe. After two kilometers into descent, the tram at a speed of more than 75 km/h came off the rails and crashed into a concrete barrier. As a result of the disaster, 34 people were killed. More than 100 people received injuries of various severity. The driver remained disabled and received a suspended sentence. After the tragedy, she returned to the suburbs of Vinnytsia.
Today, many trams in Ukraine are in a poor condition, as well as tram tracks.
The project includes a video work with the events with the involvement of tram "KTM-5" in Ukraine with the final part of it dedicatedto the tragedy in Kamianske, a video from two tram depots in Mariupol, a video interview of a witness of events in Kamianske and video-search of Valentina in Vinnytsia region. The second part of the project is a performative recreation of Valentine's life before the tragedy.
Recreating the tragic episode from the life of the driver and examining the typology of tram transport in the eastern region, we left open the issue of responsibility and awareness of the guilt for the collective sacrifice.
This project contains sensitive content which some people may find disturbing
Screenshot from film "KTM-5M3". 2018
Recreating the family photo album of the driver Valentina. "A walk with the best friend. Vinnytsia".
Recreating the family photo album of the driver Valentina. "My farewell to Dniprodzerzhynsk. April 1996".
Screenshots from film "KTM-5M3". 2018
«KTM-5». Exhibition of short-listed artists for the PinchukArtCentre Prize 2018. Kyiv. Ukraine. 2018