Dear Ukrainian Brother/Sister,

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My heart goes out to you, your family, and your country. I can not stand by and not do something to help. As an artist, I have spent time in Ukraine and it opened a chamber in my heart and soul that I am forever grateful for. 

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Today the world sadly watches Ukraine through the news and social media, hoping for a quick resolution to the tragic attack of a sovereign, loving, and free people. We hear politicians talk and see images of carnage and hear stories being told. Yet, is the human impact really felt internationally? There is a language that we all share across borders and cultures and that is the language of emotion and how we express it on our face.

 

My name is Shaun Rabah, I am a visual artist who has been filming people from different parts of the world for the past 5 years, collecting people's silent stories through the emotions expressed around the mouth as microexpressions. This video below speaks more about it.

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​I want people to personally feel your story and encourage more action to help Ukraine. 

 

If you are Ukrainian, I invite you to share how you feel, by filming the region around your mouth as you silently think of the current events in Ukraine. Not talking just think, reflect and feel. Allow yourself to relax into your uncomfortable emotions and don't hesitate to react to them. This footage will be used in an artistic short video to engage watchers and have them feel exactly what you are feeling. The goal is to raise more international awareness and action to help the people of Ukraine now.

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If you would like to take part please follow the instructions below.

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1. Use your phone camera or any video camera to record the region around your mouth closeup. (look at the video above as an example to get an idea of the frame) 

2. It is best to have your camera mounted on a tripod as you record.

3. Make sure the phone is horizontal as you record.

4. Sit silently and record yourself for 2-3 minutes as you think about the current events in Ukraine. 

5. It's best to do this in well lite rooms or with sunlight, do not do this in the evening time or with low light.

6. Don't hold back any emotions, feel them and allow them to surface.

7. Do not think about the camera or your face as your record, just think about the current events.

8. Upload the video below.

9. Be patient uploading as there is no upload status bar.

10. Wait for the submission confirmation screen to show before leaving the site.

11. (Optional) - record a video or audio of you talking about the war and your thoughts and feelings on it).

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Thank you for taking the time to share your feelings through the universal language of micro-expressions. 

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Much Love and Support,

Shaun

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