Find more information on the official website of the project. 

Launch of an Artistic Laboratory, a New Project from Razam Berlin, Led by Artist and Activist Elena Rabkina

Razam is thrilled to announce an ambitious art and design project led by Elena Rabkina, a Belarusian artist, curator, and activist. This project aims to explore, redefine, and celebrate Belarusian identity through a multifaceted approach that includes an artistic research lab, exhibitions, and a comprehensive book. By giving Belarusians a platform to express their evolving identities, this initiative brings vital cultural conversations to both local and international audiences.

About the Artist
Elena Rabkina, a refugee artist and researcher from Belarus. She uses her artistic, journalistic, and psychological background to create socially engaged art in the fields of public and interactive illustration. Her work centers around the topics of social justice, migrant experience and current geopolitical events. In her practice she is capturing the immaterial stories of objects and people to foster connection and empathy. Rabkina’s recent works deeply explore the traumas of migration and the complex questions surrounding identity, driven by her personal journey of displacement—first from Belarus in 2020 and later from Ukraine in 2022.

Project Overview
Through an artistic research lab, exhibitions, a book, and an interactive website, the project will explore Belarusian culture and identity through the lens of art and design. The initiative invites Belarusian designers and artists to rethink national symbols, share their unique cultural experiences, and redefine Belarusian identity on their terms. The project will be held in a hybrid format: in Berlin and online.

The meetings of the lab will happen twice a month across 4 months and will result in an exhibition and publication. Belarusian artists and designers are invited to apply by sending their CV, portfolio and a letter of motivation via E-mail: rabkina.art@gmail.com

Elena Rabkina’s Vision
Rabkina describes this project as both intellectually stimulating and deeply personal, seeing it as a chance to redefine what it means to be Belarusian in a time of unprecedented political and cultural change. Her focus on identity stems from her desire to reclaim and reshape Belarusian culture in response to a history of external influences, including forced russification. „This displacement,“ Rabkina explains, „can become a source of a fresh perspective on the concept of identity—both personal and national. And while, indeed, it’s “making a lemonade out of lemons”, migration allows one to see the fragmented and often imposed notions of what it means to be Belarusian, particularly in the face of historical russification. Belarus is often portrayed as merely a puppet of Russia, and through this project, we want to show the complexity, resilience, and richness of our contemporary culture. ”

Project Details

• Artistic Research Lab (Months 1-3)
  Rabkina will lead an artistic research lab for Belarusian artists and designers, inviting participants to reimagine cultural symbols and explore Belarusian history, language, and folklore. This lab will also examine how identities shift through exile and cultural resilience.
• International Artist Meetups (Months 2-3)
  To foster cross-cultural exchange, the project will host artist meetups with both Belarusian and international artists. This dialogue aims to provide a space for Belarusian artists to reflect on their identities within a global context and share their unique cultural perspectives.
• Exhibition Development and Presentation (Months 4-5)
  In collaboration with Razam, Rabkina will organize non-commercial exhibitions to showcase the findings of the research lab. This will include guided tours, artist talks, and panel discussions to enhance audience engagement and provide a more in-depth look at Belarusian identity.
• Book of Research Findings and Visuals (Months 3-5)
  Documenting the project’s findings, this book will be an essential resource for understanding Belarusian identity, complete with historical insights, artworks, and cultural analyses.
• Website and Online Exhibition (Month 6)
  An interactive digital space will provide international access to the project’s results, offering a platform for new Belarusian cultural symbols and narratives.

Elena Rabkina’s Work and Impact
A Fellow of the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study, Rabkina’s works have been showcased at venues such as the National Center for Contemporary Arts (Belarus), Mark Rothko Art Center (Latvia), and Ars Electronica (Austria). Known for her socially conscious approach, she has co-organized the Urban and Art Festival Vulica Brasil, Create Culture Eco Festival and collaborated with numerous humanitarian and cultural organizations across Europe. Through her art, Rabkina sheds light on geopolitical events,  migration and community building, creating spaces for empathy, resilience, and dialogue.

This project, in collaboration with Razam Berlin, Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa) and Alexander Rave Foundation promises to bring a unique perspective to Berlin’s cultural scene and beyond, allowing audiences to connect with Belarusian culture in a profound, new way.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Elena Rabkina, artist, rabkina.art@gmail.com ; Website