Ermina Takenova

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	<title>Ermina Takenova</title>
	<link>https://erminatakenova.com</link>
	<description>Ermina Takenova</description>
	<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jul 2024 11:16:29 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>About</title>
				
		<link>https://erminatakenova.com/About</link>

		<pubDate>Sat, 18 Feb 2023 23:06:28 +0000</pubDate>

		<dc:creator>Ermina Takenova</dc:creator>

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	Ermina Takenova is an award winning animation director based in London. Ermina confidently works in a variety of illustration and animation styles. Her work is inspired by the culture and history of her native Kazakhstan, worldwide current affairs and social causes.
Education:Royal College of Art – MA Animation 2016London College of Communication – BA (Hons) Illustration &#38;amp; Visual Media 2014
Camberwell College of Arts – Foundation Diploma in Art &#38;amp; Design 2011
Clients:
Al Jazeera English

openDemocracy
Human Rights Foundation
ELLE KazakhstanADAMDAR/CARuyò JournalAeonDEFRA

FARAInstagram
Vimeo
Contact
	
	
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		<title>Seven Mothers</title>
				
		<link>https://erminatakenova.com/Seven-Mothers</link>

		<pubDate>Sat, 18 Feb 2023 23:06:29 +0000</pubDate>

		<dc:creator>Ermina Takenova</dc:creator>

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		<description>
	Seven Mothers

	An ongoing series exploring the lives, legacy and strength of Kazakh women.


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	Jeti Ana (Seven Mothers)

	Kazakh people have a tradition called Jeti Ata (Seven Fathers, Seven Ancestors), which obliges every nomad to know the names of their ancestors following the male lineage up to the seventh generation. Couples were forbidden to marry if they had any common ancestors within the seven generations, as they would be considered to be closely related, therefore making their marriage incestuous.Kazakh genealogical tree is called shejire. In 1960, my great-grandfather Saqtagan and his relative Laten began constructing our family tree. Laten finished working on it in 2001. Thanks to their efforts, I know the names of my ancestors up to 14 generations back. I am from the tribe Qarakesek, Alimuly (Alshyn) of the Little Horde. Unfortunately, traditionally the names of women are not added in the family tree, and I do not know the names of any of my ancestresses before my great-grandmothers. This drawing is my imaginary family tree of the female lineage. This series is my way to reconnect to my ancestresses whose names I don’t know.

	
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		<title>Steppe Whispers</title>
				
		<link>https://erminatakenova.com/Steppe-Whispers</link>

		<pubDate>Sat, 18 Feb 2023 23:06:29 +0000</pubDate>

		<dc:creator>Ermina Takenova</dc:creator>

		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://erminatakenova.com/Steppe-Whispers</guid>

		<description>


	Steppe Whispers


	A series of pencil drawings inspired by the nomads of the Kazakh steppe.

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		<title>Mankurt</title>
				
		<link>https://erminatakenova.com/Mankurt</link>

		<pubDate>Sat, 18 Feb 2023 23:06:30 +0000</pubDate>

		<dc:creator>Ermina Takenova</dc:creator>

		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://erminatakenova.com/Mankurt</guid>

		<description>
	Mankurt


	Mankurt: a mindless slave, who had their memory completely erased as a result of a horrible torture


	Mankurt is an animated short film based on a Turkic legend, which was adapted in the novel 
The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years by Chingiz Aitmatov.&#38;nbsp; The term mankurt refers to people who forgot their roots and don't value the history and traditions of their own culture. This legend is powerful in how it can be so universal in describing the oppression and brain-washing happening in the world throughout history, as well as nowadays. The animated short is my adaptation of the ancient legend with a modern and surreal twist.
Q&#38;amp;A with Melikian Centre, Arizona State University
International Aitmatov Academy Award 2021

GeloinVersi Award – Best Short Film 2018Versi di Luce Film Festival, Modica and Gela, Italy


Honourable Mention 2017
New Renaissance Film Festiva, London, UK
Directed and Animated by Ermina TakenovaVoice Cast: Frances Healy, Tarrick Benham, Zharas Takenov, Ermina TakenovaAnimation Assistants: Tahuanty Jacanamijoy and Natasza CetnerComposer and Sound Designer: Christopher Schlechte-BondMusicians: Aleksandra Henszel and Florian BelbeochSound Mix: Mike WyeldThe film features a flute cover of Abay Kunanbayev's song 'Kozimnin Karasi’Supported by the Abraaj RCA Innovation Scholarship


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		<title>What Fat is For</title>
				
		<link>https://erminatakenova.com/What-Fat-is-For</link>

		<pubDate>Sun, 26 Feb 2023 20:14:00 +0000</pubDate>

		<dc:creator>Ermina Takenova</dc:creator>

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		<description>
	What Fat is For


	A short animation commission for Aeon and SAPIENS, which discusses the important role fat plays for our health and how it’s been perceived throughout history and across various cultures.

 
	Directed and Animated by Ermina TakenovaProduced by Kellen Quinn


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		<title>January Butterflies</title>
				
		<link>https://erminatakenova.com/January-Butterflies</link>

		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jul 2024 11:16:29 +0000</pubDate>

		<dc:creator>Ermina Takenova</dc:creator>

		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://erminatakenova.com/January-Butterflies</guid>

		<description>
&#60;img width="4961" height="3508" width_o="4961" height_o="3508" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e654d3f5bb1be6f987175f874afffbea00d52af0050065e1978d6a8a95a4657e/Layout-Idea.jpg" data-mid="215353474" border="0"  src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e654d3f5bb1be6f987175f874afffbea00d52af0050065e1978d6a8a95a4657e/Layout-Idea.jpg" /&#62;

January Butterflies


January Butterflies is a series of illustrations dedicated to the victims of a massacre that happened in Kazakhstan in 2022, known as Qandy Qantar, or the Bloody January. 


Qandy Qantar horrified with the extent of cruelty against the peaceful protesters and civilians who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Those tragic events showcase how the omnipresent corruption and injustice can engulf any regular person, no matter the social class, political leanings, ethnic background or any other defining characteristic. We are all equal in the face of violence, we are merely meat and bones, that can be beaten, tortured, shot at, completely torn to pieces at the order of the authorities. 


Each butterfly is depicting a specific case, instances of torture, people grieving their loved ones who they lost to painful horrific deaths and having to carry on living with the burden of injustice and immense emotional torment. Officially, there are 238 people who were murdered during this tragedy, but that number doesn’t take into account people who passed away from their injuries later on, murders that were covered up or nor properly investigated. 


The extent of torture during the Bloody January is incomprehensible and blood chilling. Innocent people sustained horrific injuries, many were left crippled. People were brutally beaten, burned with hot irons, had huge needles inserted under their fingernails. There are 31 butterflies in this series, a symbolic number for each day of January, although the tragic events unfolded within a few days of that month. 31 is an abstract number to commemorate all the victims of the Bloody January, as well as the victims of political repressions in Kazakhstan.
When I think of the January tragedy, I instantly think of the fragility and preciousness of the human body, its helplessness against brute force and bullets. In many cultures butterflies symbolise soul, rebirth and resurrection. I think of butterflies’ fragility and it makes me think of how our bodies are just as delicate. My series explores the human duality of the fragile body and the strong soul. The bravery of the protesters, journalists, activists and survivors who found the strength to speak out about the injustice will never be forgotten. The memory of the innocent people who met their end in that tragic January will live on.
 

&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1076d4d4f8088ea0ca8a36c481f0ff2ac5575b05edc87a6398d85162a29701e8/1.jpg" data-mid="215353097" border="0" data-rotation="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1076d4d4f8088ea0ca8a36c481f0ff2ac5575b05edc87a6398d85162a29701e8/1.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6d5c27cf3311fd0167916ec55f4c0abef1312716f96a180f1cdf32c7958e54e7/29.jpg" data-mid="215353125" border="0" alt="Yerlan Zhagiparov, 49 years old" data-caption="Yerlan Zhagiparov, 49 years old" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6d5c27cf3311fd0167916ec55f4c0abef1312716f96a180f1cdf32c7958e54e7/29.jpg" /&#62;
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&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9a1433cca976c1564b505c7497e6f8d80ab30e4bf6f1a0c4b2b63008a2e5ef25/11.jpg" data-mid="215353107" border="0" alt="Sultan Kylyshbek, 12 years old" data-caption="Sultan Kylyshbek, 12 years old" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9a1433cca976c1564b505c7497e6f8d80ab30e4bf6f1a0c4b2b63008a2e5ef25/11.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5b136ed2b2a44edbed7eceea5a6c311ceaf9cc925f72d9872d43f783cf08b8a4/7.jpg" data-mid="215353103" border="0"  src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5b136ed2b2a44edbed7eceea5a6c311ceaf9cc925f72d9872d43f783cf08b8a4/7.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/085bf3506c5b19399ad336932c58a02df0831245250fd649f963bde8b257e033/28.jpg" data-mid="215353124" border="0" alt="Zhanar, 35 years old" data-caption="Zhanar, 35 years old" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/085bf3506c5b19399ad336932c58a02df0831245250fd649f963bde8b257e033/28.jpg" /&#62;
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&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/47dde883553f21bfa15c801fe341622ef47842b3fbd354603246f513198ab46e/31.jpg" data-mid="215353127" border="0" alt="Aikorkem Meldekhan, 4 years old" data-caption="Aikorkem Meldekhan, 4 years old" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/47dde883553f21bfa15c801fe341622ef47842b3fbd354603246f513198ab46e/31.jpg" /&#62;
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Specific cases of the series


&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9a1433cca976c1564b505c7497e6f8d80ab30e4bf6f1a0c4b2b63008a2e5ef25/11.jpg" data-mid="215353107" border="0" data-scale="55" alt="" data-caption="&#38;lt;div style=&#38;quot;text-align: justify;&#38;quot;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt; Case 1: &#38;lt;br&#38;gt; Sultan Kylyshbek was only 12 years old when he was shot in the head while queuing outside of a grocery store on 5th of January 2022. This grocery store was across the street from a police station, Sultan’s mother, Gauhar Kerimbekova, is sure the shots were fired from there. She accidentally found out in December 2022, that the investigation of her son’s murder was closed. &#38;lt;br&#38;gt; Sultan was passionate about football and had many aspirations. His grief-stricken older brother Arystan expressed he would have preferred if his life was taken instead. His younger sister Medina was left traumatised and scared of her and her family members getting shot too. The whole family struggled to process this enormous loss and the parents ended up getting a divorce, with their three children now living with the mother.&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/b&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/i&#38;gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9a1433cca976c1564b505c7497e6f8d80ab30e4bf6f1a0c4b2b63008a2e5ef25/11.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6d5c27cf3311fd0167916ec55f4c0abef1312716f96a180f1cdf32c7958e54e7/29.jpg" data-mid="215353125" border="0" data-scale="45" alt=" Case 2:  Archaeologist Yerlan Zhagiparov disappeared after leaving his home to have a look at what&#38;rsquo;s going on outside on 6th of January 2022. According to his brother Nurlan, Yerlan managed to call his friend to let him know he was being arrested by the National Guard soldiers. Yerlan was missing for five days, until his family found his body in a morgue, still handcuffed, with signs of brutal torture and gunshot wounds to the heart and stomach.  Yerlan&#38;rsquo;s family, friends and colleagues describe him as a dedicated professional, who was involved in saving petroglyphs in the Almaty region." data-caption="&#38;lt;div style=&#38;quot;text-align: justify;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt; Case 2: &#38;lt;br&#38;gt; Archaeologist Yerlan Zhagiparov disappeared after leaving his home to have a look at what’s going on outside on 6th of January 2022. According to his brother Nurlan, Yerlan managed to call his friend to let him know he was being arrested by the National Guard soldiers. Yerlan was missing for five days, until his family found his body in a morgue, still handcuffed, with signs of brutal torture and gunshot wounds to the heart and stomach. &#38;lt;br&#38;gt; Yerlan’s family, friends and colleagues describe him as a dedicated professional, who was involved in saving petroglyphs in the Almaty region.&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/b&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/i&#38;gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6d5c27cf3311fd0167916ec55f4c0abef1312716f96a180f1cdf32c7958e54e7/29.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/085bf3506c5b19399ad336932c58a02df0831245250fd649f963bde8b257e033/28.jpg" data-mid="215353124" border="0" data-scale="45" alt=" Case 3:  On 5th of January 2022, a young woman named Zhanar was shot in the head while breastfeeding her baby in Almaty. She was in a car with her husband, looking for medicine for their 7 month old child who had a fever. Zhanar was a mother of four, her husband is left widowed." data-caption="&#38;lt;div style=&#38;quot;text-align: justify;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt; Case 3: &#38;lt;br&#38;gt; On 5th of January 2022, a young woman named Zhanar was shot in the head while breastfeeding her baby in Almaty. She was in a car with her husband, looking for medicine for their 7 month old child who had a fever. Zhanar was a mother of four, her husband is left widowed.&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/b&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/i&#38;gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/085bf3506c5b19399ad336932c58a02df0831245250fd649f963bde8b257e033/28.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b32fea326eaaf7fe2dc88055c85cb653429daf257a3ecf9138a0305902d81258/14.jpg" data-mid="215353110" border="0" data-scale="55" alt=" Case 4:  Kuat Bitkembayev and Gulfiza Kulsultanova were an elderly married couple who were murdered on 7th of January 2022 while driving in their car. Their children were looking for them for 2 days, until they eventually found their parents&#38;rsquo; burned down car towed away at the pound, along with the charred remains. They counted 50 bullet holes in the car. Both Kuat and Gulfiza took part in the significant December 1986 protest, known as Jeltoqsan." data-caption="&#38;lt;div style=&#38;quot;text-align: justify;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt; Case 4: &#38;lt;br&#38;gt; Kuat Bitkembayev and Gulfiza Kulsultanova were an elderly married couple who were murdered on 7th of January 2022 while driving in their car. Their children were looking for them for 2 days, until they eventually found their parents’ burned down car towed away at the pound, along with the charred remains. They counted 50 bullet holes in the car. Both Kuat and Gulfiza took part in the significant December 1986 protest, known as Jeltoqsan.&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/b&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/i&#38;gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b32fea326eaaf7fe2dc88055c85cb653429daf257a3ecf9138a0305902d81258/14.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/47dde883553f21bfa15c801fe341622ef47842b3fbd354603246f513198ab46e/31.jpg" data-mid="215353127" border="0" data-scale="55" alt=" Case 5:   Aikorkem Meldekhan was only 4 years old when she was fatally shot in the head on 7th of January 2022. She is the youngest victim of the Bloody January. She was in a car with four of her older siblings, they were looking for a shop to buy some food. The oldest brother was 18 years old at the time and was driving the car. One of Aikorkem&#38;rsquo;s older sisters Zhanel survived the shooting, but was in critical condition from multiple bullet wounds.  The investigation confirmed that they were shot at with military grade ammunition. Their father counted 20 bullet holes in their car. The family not only had to mourn, but fight for justice. They were faced with indifference, intimidation and uncertainty from the authorities. In July 2024, after a very long secret court hearing, multiple appeals and acquittals, the contract serviceman Arman Zhuman was sentenced to 7 years for the abuse of power by giving the unlawful order to open fire at the civilian vehicle." data-caption="&#38;lt;div style=&#38;quot;text-align: justify;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt; Case 5: &#38;lt;br&#38;gt;  Aikorkem Meldekhan was only 4 years old when she was fatally shot in the head on 7th of January 2022. She is the youngest victim of the Bloody January. She was in a car with four of her older siblings, they were looking for a shop to buy some food. The oldest brother was 18 years old at the time and was driving the car. One of Aikorkem’s older sisters Zhanel survived the shooting, but was in critical condition from multiple bullet wounds. &#38;lt;br&#38;gt; The investigation confirmed that they were shot at with military grade ammunition. Their father counted 20 bullet holes in their car. The family not only had to mourn, but fight for justice. They were faced with indifference, intimidation and uncertainty from the authorities. In July 2024, after a very long secret court hearing, multiple appeals and acquittals, the contract serviceman Arman Zhuman was sentenced to 7 years for the abuse of power by giving the unlawful order to open fire at the civilian vehicle.&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/b&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/i&#38;gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/47dde883553f21bfa15c801fe341622ef47842b3fbd354603246f513198ab46e/31.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/061778af152c0bf8301463d33c024e18d06caec2c9bf9dd45ab6c13c1c0eac3a/26.jpg" data-mid="215353122" border="0" data-scale="55" alt=" Other violations:  Injured people who were taken to hospitals during the early days of the Bloody January unrest were kidnapped by the authorities directly from their sick beds, undressed and some even had their crutches thrown away. They were tortured while already being in critical condition, some people couldn&#38;rsquo;t even walk, had damaged eyesight and bullet wounds. Their conditions were obviously worsened and permanent damage was done to their bodies." data-caption="&#38;lt;div style=&#38;quot;text-align: justify;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt; Other violations: &#38;lt;br&#38;gt; Injured people who were taken to hospitals during the early days of the Bloody January unrest were kidnapped by the authorities directly from their sick beds, undressed and some even had their crutches thrown away. They were tortured while already being in critical condition, some people couldn’t even walk, had damaged eyesight and bullet wounds. Their conditions were obviously worsened and permanent damage was done to their bodies.&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/b&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/i&#38;gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/061778af152c0bf8301463d33c024e18d06caec2c9bf9dd45ab6c13c1c0eac3a/26.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/128d961689950541bba686e20206bf48470e02f3676cf0898467a95261c9fd33/22.jpg" data-mid="215353118" border="0" data-scale="55" alt=" Other violations:  Many people who were murdered during the Bloody January were not left in peace and their rights were violated even after death. The authorities conducted unlawful exhumations of their remains against their families&#38;rsquo; consent. It was all done under the guise of investigation, but in reality, the authorities wanted to hide the evidence of the massacre by removing bullets from the victims&#38;rsquo; bodies." data-caption="&#38;lt;div style=&#38;quot;text-align: justify;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt;&#38;lt;span style=&#38;quot;color: #ffffff;&#38;quot;&#38;gt; Other violations: &#38;lt;br&#38;gt; Many people who were murdered during the Bloody January were not left in peace and their rights were violated even after death. The authorities conducted unlawful exhumations of their remains against their families’ consent. It was all done under the guise of investigation, but in reality, the authorities wanted to hide the evidence of the massacre by removing bullets from the victims’ bodies.&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/span&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/b&#38;gt;&#38;lt;/i&#38;gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/128d961689950541bba686e20206bf48470e02f3676cf0898467a95261c9fd33/22.jpg" /&#62;


January Butterflies series was originally created for a group exhibition curated by Aida Sulova for Oslo Freedom Forum 2024. The theme of the forum this year was Reclaim Democracy. The exhibition titled “Gulka” was showcased as an immersive video installation, representing the art projects of various Central Asian artists and human rights activists. The term "GULKA" refers to a barbed chamber within a temporary detention centre (SIZO), where prisoners have access to restricted movement and fresh air. More information about the exhibition and all its participants can be found at&#38;nbsp;gulkacentralasia.com.

</description>
		
	</item>
		
		
	<item>
		<title>Beyond Trauma</title>
				
		<link>https://erminatakenova.com/Beyond-Trauma</link>

		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2023 21:19:58 +0000</pubDate>

		<dc:creator>Ermina Takenova</dc:creator>

		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://erminatakenova.com/Beyond-Trauma</guid>

		<description>
	Beyond Trauma


	Editorial illustrations for an essay titled Beyond Trauma by a Kazakh culturologist Zira Nauryzbay for ADAMDAR/CA. The essay discusses the connections between generational historical traumas of the past and the tragic events of the Bloody January 2022 in Kazakhstan. Zira reflects how these collective traumas of both the past and the present affect the lives of the contemporary Kazakhstani society and some possible ways of collective healing.
read the essay here


&#60;img width="4500" height="4500" width_o="4500" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4ef11f057341af0af2de827652bfd4b8821acc72228c2c43cbf156cc179f9ef0/Cage.jpg" data-mid="169364005" border="0" data-scale="50" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4ef11f057341af0af2de827652bfd4b8821acc72228c2c43cbf156cc179f9ef0/Cage.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="4500" height="4500" width_o="4500" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/945e1439bffa9a51de0e757d05aac2d31cb87c41755614efc05eb4f95bac6c38/Rain.jpg" data-mid="169364014" border="0" data-scale="50" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/945e1439bffa9a51de0e757d05aac2d31cb87c41755614efc05eb4f95bac6c38/Rain.jpg" /&#62;

&#60;img width="4500" height="4500" width_o="4500" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7d3c491d2811ae716a62f8705633514bfd4935e3a560e874b402ab3719d6f08d/Mother-s_Milk.jpg" data-mid="169364007" border="0" data-scale="51" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7d3c491d2811ae716a62f8705633514bfd4935e3a560e874b402ab3719d6f08d/Mother-s_Milk.jpg" /&#62;

&#60;img width="4500" height="4500" width_o="4500" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5976935162f11c8b14caa52ef3d15bbcbfd9809bcb79d75b129d898b8db5e34a/Mass_Grave.jpg" data-mid="169364013" border="0" data-scale="50" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5976935162f11c8b14caa52ef3d15bbcbfd9809bcb79d75b129d898b8db5e34a/Mass_Grave.jpg" /&#62;

&#60;img width="4500" height="4500" width_o="4500" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d1149dc404330b638ea2c51a77a0c22c54dce996ac580237ab855f5a6581a784/Grieving_Cry.jpg" data-mid="169364066" border="0" data-scale="50" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d1149dc404330b638ea2c51a77a0c22c54dce996ac580237ab855f5a6581a784/Grieving_Cry.jpg" /&#62;


</description>
		
	</item>
		
		
	<item>
		<title>Sacred Earth-Water of the Turkic Peoples</title>
				
		<link>https://erminatakenova.com/Sacred-Earth-Water-of-the-Turkic-Peoples</link>

		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2024 21:27:23 +0000</pubDate>

		<dc:creator>Ermina Takenova</dc:creator>

		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://erminatakenova.com/Sacred-Earth-Water-of-the-Turkic-Peoples</guid>

		<description>
	Sacred Earth-Water of the Turkic Peoples


	Editorial illustrations for an essay by a Kazakh culturologist Zira Nauryzbay for ADAMDAR/CA. The essay explores the topics of mythology and history of the river Irtysh and the general worship of the bodies of water by the Central Asian nomads.
read the essay here (currently available in Kazakh and Russian languages)


&#60;img width="4500" height="4500" width_o="4500" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0b4f7afa67baa2fb4cdb7bd46a4d756dfb522675fc6ac9103d647b28155e0996/Swan.jpg" data-mid="209012696" border="0"  src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0b4f7afa67baa2fb4cdb7bd46a4d756dfb522675fc6ac9103d647b28155e0996/Swan.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="4500" height="4500" width_o="4500" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2648fb1c23e78d82d32ae85e2b2887b7cd06da01b5047d0532000568b31df42a/Tuyemoinak-2.jpg" data-mid="209012694" border="0"  src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2648fb1c23e78d82d32ae85e2b2887b7cd06da01b5047d0532000568b31df42a/Tuyemoinak-2.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="4500" height="5625" width_o="4500" height_o="5625" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bc4789e73241b9c98a5d74940f299fd97d88d3b65e3c242ab8050c13fd9f7da9/Mother_Water.jpg" data-mid="209012697" border="0"  src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bc4789e73241b9c98a5d74940f299fd97d88d3b65e3c242ab8050c13fd9f7da9/Mother_Water.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="4500" height="5625" width_o="4500" height_o="5625" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/eaf58e6f4307c12cdce853f15b2fd2a438dbd4f198f20dae96f5828df0bf70e0/Dragon.jpg" data-mid="209012695" border="0"  src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/eaf58e6f4307c12cdce853f15b2fd2a438dbd4f198f20dae96f5828df0bf70e0/Dragon.jpg" /&#62;


</description>
		
	</item>
		
		
	<item>
		<title>Funny Things We Say</title>
				
		<link>https://erminatakenova.com/Funny-Things-We-Say</link>

		<pubDate>Sun, 26 Feb 2023 20:30:52 +0000</pubDate>

		<dc:creator>Ermina Takenova</dc:creator>

		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://erminatakenova.com/Funny-Things-We-Say</guid>

		<description>
	Funny Things We Say

	Funny Things We Say is an animated projects created as a part of the LCC Graduate Residency Programme 2018 – an artist-in-residence programme for the graduates of London College of Communication, where I studied Illustration &#38;amp; Visual Media. The theme of the programme for that year was Diverse Communities. I've worked on a series of 15 animations based on the funny and bizarre idioms from different parts of the world. Idioms and our use of language can say so much about the sense of humour and the different characters of our cultures. They highlight our uniqueness as well as certain similarities that we share across different cultures and communities.Sound Design - Andy Davidson &#38;amp; Louise MasonDrums - Melissa Ulloa, Phil Jenkins


&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c9ab3cdc4225737e9b8ee7397cf04eb39001f68f75f64050cf80b48a54376b7c/1_croatian_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771180" border="0" data-caption="Croatian
Balls of a swan
Something that’s impossible" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/c9ab3cdc4225737e9b8ee7397cf04eb39001f68f75f64050cf80b48a54376b7c/1_croatian_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5f1c14ddba214e1edb3ee44e8745bea59c16958e239dedd669e937cc71ce2374/2_french_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771181" border="0" data-caption="French
To jump from the rooster to the donkey
To keep changing topics without logic in a conversation" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/5f1c14ddba214e1edb3ee44e8745bea59c16958e239dedd669e937cc71ce2374/2_french_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5d2587f3afb18289f411fe25fe471fc3c8f34d8625d11e3198867a49120ea4b6/3_dutch_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771182" border="0" data-caption="Dutch
 As if an anglel pisses on your tongue
 Something tastes very good" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/5d2587f3afb18289f411fe25fe471fc3c8f34d8625d11e3198867a49120ea4b6/3_dutch_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4366c424acdac0915ec2d25c95f7b47b811cce6a92659c5eee7e334a4e4c5768/4_mexico_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771183" border="0" data-caption="Spanish (Mexico)
To throw you the dog
To flirt" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/4366c424acdac0915ec2d25c95f7b47b811cce6a92659c5eee7e334a4e4c5768/4_mexico_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fc1d77f1b9fad006126d65d2b1d7a786bed6a94c5a3d0b80b82fc3d0ef02bf5b/5_latvian_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771184" border="0" data-caption="Latvian
To blow little ducks
To talk nonsense or to lie" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/fc1d77f1b9fad006126d65d2b1d7a786bed6a94c5a3d0b80b82fc3d0ef02bf5b/5_latvian_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4b8d5e1cb3755c5d46f0af7351813d29a6133e299a6a85421e4131826216b364/6_thai_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771185" border="0" data-caption="Thai
The hen sees the snake's feet and the snake sees the hen's boobs
Two people who know each other’s secrets" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/4b8d5e1cb3755c5d46f0af7351813d29a6133e299a6a85421e4131826216b364/6_thai_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/881dacededfb2977ab2ea92045a9c1e884096363e0a4cfd99c2cb418b518cdd6/7_finnish_ANIM-copy_600.gif" data-mid="169771187" border="0" data-caption="Finnish
To let a frog out of your mouth
To say the wrong thing" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/881dacededfb2977ab2ea92045a9c1e884096363e0a4cfd99c2cb418b518cdd6/7_finnish_ANIM-copy_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d11b2364354a134ff069462ba067e11492a0bca8b90779221bc06fa489adf83a/8_kazakh_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771188" border="0" data-caption="Kazakh
Heads of two rams can't fit in one pot
Two leaders won't be able to agree" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/d11b2364354a134ff069462ba067e11492a0bca8b90779221bc06fa489adf83a/8_kazakh_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4163be4288930b0d29d7da8195ed7e054f655fc448862d60c4b45ae9c88d438f/9_polish_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771189" border="0" data-caption="Polish
Not my circus, not my monkeys
Not my problem" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/4163be4288930b0d29d7da8195ed7e054f655fc448862d60c4b45ae9c88d438f/9_polish_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ad574f94546a8fc7f437a362445584e0b6c57be7c7300fc114144c3b936db695/10_armeninan_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771190" border="0" data-caption="Armenian
Stop ironing my head
Stop annoying me" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/ad574f94546a8fc7f437a362445584e0b6c57be7c7300fc114144c3b936db695/10_armeninan_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/489b6c6351c64d6da91201fb8f808addcf3a89444c28169069a0a35eed7b8603/11_egypt_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771191" border="0" data-caption="Arabic (Egypt)
Taking a walk sitting
Going for a walk" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/489b6c6351c64d6da91201fb8f808addcf3a89444c28169069a0a35eed7b8603/11_egypt_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/378ff71f3b2f0412e3eb10284b1b22efa814cf8090d3916e57d0d5c4049c996c/12_russian_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771192" border="0" data-caption="Russian
To pull a cat's tail
To do something very slowly" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/378ff71f3b2f0412e3eb10284b1b22efa814cf8090d3916e57d0d5c4049c996c/12_russian_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3af003e1aad6e4a9a1226b7bb4f89cfd9fb810a2c5144f4bf3910a814fd633b4/13_namibia_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771193" border="0" data-caption="Oshiwambo (Namibia)
There is a crocodile in the water
Said in relation to someone who does not like to bath" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/3af003e1aad6e4a9a1226b7bb4f89cfd9fb810a2c5144f4bf3910a814fd633b4/13_namibia_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d249e0c454c3c1c93eaf4279122b066014c3aacc54973e04b76ebfebf4766146/14_australia_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771194" border="0" data-caption="English (Australia)
To drink with the flies
To drink alone" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/d249e0c454c3c1c93eaf4279122b066014c3aacc54973e04b76ebfebf4766146/14_australia_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;
&#60;img width="600" height="600" width_o="600" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6c459d9b50a50d82e2b2af83025097b58aa78877dfcc2b3cfb4d9cc18f8c6eb2/15_japanese_ANIM_600.gif" data-mid="169771195" border="0" data-caption="Japanese
To wear a cat on one's head
Pretending to be a nice, harmless person" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/6c459d9b50a50d82e2b2af83025097b58aa78877dfcc2b3cfb4d9cc18f8c6eb2/15_japanese_ANIM_600.gif" /&#62;


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	<item>
		<title>New civil society in Kazakhstan: Zion and Matrix</title>
				
		<link>https://erminatakenova.com/New-civil-society-in-Kazakhstan-Zion-and-Matrix</link>

		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2023 21:00:38 +0000</pubDate>

		<dc:creator>Ermina Takenova</dc:creator>

		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://erminatakenova.com/New-civil-society-in-Kazakhstan-Zion-and-Matrix</guid>

		<description>
	New civil society in Kazakhstan: Zion and Matrix


	Editorial illustrations published in ELLE Kazakhstan March 2022 issue together with an essay by a Kazakh political analyst Dosym Satpayev.
online version of the article


&#60;img width="4500" height="4500" width_o="4500" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bc3ff6a26fa713901c9bb9064a8484833860f56cf9c2ed27f83ec727155fa2c9/grief.JPG" data-mid="169920874" border="0"  src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bc3ff6a26fa713901c9bb9064a8484833860f56cf9c2ed27f83ec727155fa2c9/grief.JPG" /&#62;
&#60;img width="2200" height="2200" width_o="2200" height_o="2200" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/83974b3837fe93313be46b7cc23f52ee531d5993c4f6ac2361889e8a7f3752a6/freedom_of_speech.jpg" data-mid="169920873" border="0"  src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/83974b3837fe93313be46b7cc23f52ee531d5993c4f6ac2361889e8a7f3752a6/freedom_of_speech.jpg" /&#62;
&#60;img width="2200" height="2200" width_o="2200" height_o="2200" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/51e8b034b4507bd0eb28eebcbd53e9c1ffe73e380dffb26b24f7101470773d37/omon_hydra.JPG" data-mid="169920875" border="0"  src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/51e8b034b4507bd0eb28eebcbd53e9c1ffe73e380dffb26b24f7101470773d37/omon_hydra.JPG" /&#62;

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