The Story Behind the Art

The story of this artwork began with the magic of the Playa.

During my first Burning Man, I brought with me a collage with a photo of my cousin; Zakhar, who in early 2022 followed the call of his heart, left everything behind and went to defend his country. Sadly, he never returned.

On the last day of the festival, something truly extraordinary happened. My travel companion noticed a message in one of the Burning Man chats that said:

"Please, if anyone knows who placed Zakhar's photo in the Temple, reach out."
Zakhar's photo collage
Burning Man Temple

I immediately knew it was about my cousin. I contacted the message sender, and it turned out to be Zakhar's childhood friend; who hadn't known what had happened to him until he saw that photo in the Temple.

I was deeply moved by how; among 70,000 people, it was he, by chance and yet not by chance; who came across that image and, throughout a chain of coincidences, found me.

In that moment, I realized I wanted Zakhar's story to live on, as a story of love, courage, and remembrance. That's how the idea of creating this art piece was born, a tribute to him and to all defenders who shared his fate.

The image we seek to bring to life is based on a 3D character created by Zakhar himself. This robot has already been to Burning Man with me, printed on the collage with his photo. Back in 2019, when he designed it, he somehow foresaw the future of portraying a strong, brave warrior in blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine.

Now I feel it is my mission to bring this character into the physical world. As a symbol of resilience, inner strength, and memory. Through it, I wish to tell a story of love for one's homeland, of sacrifice, and of the beauty of human spirit that cannot be defeated.

3D Robot Character

— Liza Kormilets

3D Render

Design & Blueprint

3D-printed robot based on Zakhar Zakharov's work; architect blueprints.

Testimonies

Цей хлопець працював на плитковому заводі в цеху, де влітку температура +60° +70°, а взимку +40° +50° за С, і мріяв одного разу покинути це місце. Коли він озвучував свої мрії співробітникам і приятелям із заводу, вони сміялися над ним і вмовляли не витрачати час на всяку дурню. Адже робота на заводі це стабільний дохід і повний соціальний пакет, крім того ще й житло для проживання від заводу.

Але Захар не здавався і був вірний своїй мрії. Іноді на зустрічах з нами (родичами і друзями) він розповідав, що почав освоювати 3D і мріє піти з заводу і влаштуватися в компанію з розробки відеоігор. Згодом він набрався майстерності в 3D і вже запитував нас, як ми думаємо, «чи варто йому йти з заводу?», як зараз пам'ятаю, ми всі дружно відповідали йому: «Звичайно, Захаре! Йди з заводу! У тебе все вийде!».

І ось настав наступний етап його творчої діяльності, вже без походів на завод — у сфері гейм-дева. Так працюючи в одній команді, потім в іншій і так далі, Захару вдалося взяти участь у міжнародних ігрових проектах, потрапити в титри міжнародних ігрових проектів, впевнено стати і йти шляхом здійснення своєї мрії.

Поки одного разу не сталося 24 лютого 2022 року...

— Oleg Kormilets (Cousin)

🇬🇧 Language

Technical Specifications

Equipment List

Item Specs
Solar panel 100 W 12 V 43x20 cm (several may be required, depending on calculations)
Charge controller 12 V 100 A with USB 5 V x2
LiFePo4 battery 100 A 12 V 1200 W (actual 960 W / 14 night hours = 68.5 W/hour, possibly several according to calculations)
Tablet computer Equipped with Bluetooth
JBL Bluetooth speaker 20W RMS Bluetooth speaker 5V 3A (15W) - 2.5 hours of charging from USB
Power and lighting control board Includes time relay, light sensor, temperature sensor, power cut-off relay
Wires, connectors Various wiring and connection components

Perimeter Lighting

8 LED lamps IP68 12V 5W - Total 40W

Platform step lighting LED strip in silicone casing IP68:

  • 1 step length 9.33 m 12 V ~7-9 W/m ≈ 70-90 W
  • 2 steps length 7.46 m 12 V ~7-9 W/m ≈ 56-82 W
  • LED strip power connectors: 4 pcs

Note: LED strip consumption must be reduced. Can be replaced with 20 mA spotlights.

Spotlights on the Model

F12mm LED spotlights on the model (different colors):

  • Total ~20 pcs
  • 12V max 20mA
  • Total 0.4A 5W

There should also be spotlights behind the model - approximately 5 pieces.

Note: The list is preliminary; the parameters and models of equipment must be specified during design and selection.

Diagrams

Graphic materials: Light—circles indicate the locations of spotlights. Audio—possible sound output location from the model. Motion sensor—motion sensor. Control unit, inverter, battery—solar power station, if it can be located inside the model.

Orientation diagram: Working with the podium and outdoor lighting. Front view shows the podium floor plan with the model frame in the middle. Around the perimeter, at the top of the octagonal podium, are metal pipes with lighting (8 pcs).

Model Frame Orientation and Podium Layout
Solar Panel Placement Options

Option for placing solar panels: Solar panels, controller, and batteries can be placed on the podium of the art object. Two panels could be placed—one behind and one on the podium. This needs to be verified with calculations and the appropriate equipment selected.

The Team

  • Liza Kormilets

    Lead Artist

  • Zakhar Zakharov

    Concept Artist

  • Oleg Kormilets

    3D Artist

  • Volodymyr Kormilets

    Architect

  • Marcel Barraza

    Project Facilitator & Fabricator

Contact