“The Dark Man” is a multimedia performance developed through years of artistic research and practice in performance and contemporary media, realized as a doctoral project at the University of Arts in Belgrade. While grounded in academic methodology, the work is also a deeply personal exploration — a creative confrontation with my father’s depression, a struggle that lasted for fifteen years.

In Sergei Yesenin’s poem, the “dark man” emerges as a shadow of conscience; in my own narrative, this shadow becomes the embodiment of my father’s illness — an unyielding presence shaping the emotional and psychological landscape of our relationship.

Drawing inspiration from Yesenin’s poetic vision and the layered cinematic language of Stanley Kubrick, the performance takes form as a spatial installation that merges audience interaction, live performance, and immersive visual media. Visual, auditory, physical, and performative elements are woven into a single structure where the boundaries between live and recorded expression are in constant flux.

The creative process led to the development of Cube, a multimedia installation that serves as the conceptual core of The Dark Man. Reflecting its multifaceted nature, the project unfolds through several interconnected components: video production, spatial design and construction, sound composition, digital animation, collaboration with the actor, and stage direction — all converging into one cohesive artistic whole.