"Sister, I Am A Bird Now" is a publication made by me and graphic designer Kristof Loppnow.
It consists of notes of compassion. Here are some paragraphs from the introduction:
"I’ve been keeping a diary for more than fifteen years. Despite periods when I only remembered to write — to share my experience—once a month, diary has been my friend ever since the first time I spoke to Her. I began writing to my Best Friend when I started 9th grade. I fell in love with a classmate. Although I had parents and friends by my side, I couldn’t bring myself to reveal my homosexual feelings to them. I was ashamed and afraid of rejection. To cope with the emotions and suffering caused by loneliness, I started keeping a diary. Over time, in my imagination, my Best Friend has become a Sister whom I can always trust. She listens and doesn’t judge.
She isn’t afraid of intimacy. Rather, She thrives within it.
Consequently, during my MA studies, I continued to write to Sister. I study choreography. Sometimes I spoke to her after a rehearsal in the studio, but other times I wrote while wrapped in a blanket in my bed. You are looking at a collection of notes spanning the period from the fall of 2024 to the spring of 2026—the time of my studies in Stockholm. This collection of texts reflects the experiences, feelings, and thoughts that accompanied my artistic research LipSync* - relating to aural text.
The Diary and LipSync* remind to engage with one's lived experience with a sense of detachment. Self-reflection is liberating—it allows to transform what I have experienced into text when I write to Sister, or into movement when I relate to an aural text. Like LipSync*, these texts affirm my interest in opening up, encountering intimacy, and being vulnerable, as well as point to a restless desire to explore Ģirts Dubults personality and life story. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in people. I am the person closest to myself. Now I think that by getting closer to myself, I might be able to say something meaningful to all of us."
She isn’t afraid of intimacy. Rather, She thrives within it.
Consequently, during my MA studies, I continued to write to Sister. I study choreography. Sometimes I spoke to her after a rehearsal in the studio, but other times I wrote while wrapped in a blanket in my bed. You are looking at a collection of notes spanning the period from the fall of 2024 to the spring of 2026—the time of my studies in Stockholm. This collection of texts reflects the experiences, feelings, and thoughts that accompanied my artistic research LipSync* - relating to aural text.
The Diary and LipSync* remind to engage with one's lived experience with a sense of detachment. Self-reflection is liberating—it allows to transform what I have experienced into text when I write to Sister, or into movement when I relate to an aural text. Like LipSync*, these texts affirm my interest in opening up, encountering intimacy, and being vulnerable, as well as point to a restless desire to explore Ģirts Dubults personality and life story. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in people. I am the person closest to myself. Now I think that by getting closer to myself, I might be able to say something meaningful to all of us."
Photos by Kristof Loppnow
Sincere thanks to Kristof Loppnow for the work on the design of this publication. You brought this project to life.
I also wish to thank my writing supervisor Siegmar Zacharias and text advisor Katrīna Rudzīte for their guidance and encouragement.
Thanks to Dance programme in Stockholm Univeristy of the Arts at Brinellvägen 58. Special thanks to the library and people from the MAKOR - Master’s Programme in “Choreography” 2026:
Jennifer Lacey, Marie Fahlin, Dakota Comín Cerezo, Dina Saeed Hamida, Jade Stenhuijs, Julia Müllner, Luusi Kateme, Petra Söör, Pierre Piton, Sophie Germanier. I am beyond grateful for your valuable knowledge and profound belief in my work.
I would like to thank Latvian State Culture Capital Foundation for financial support during my studies.
The kindness of my parents – Gunta and Oskars – made this publication possible. Thank you. <3
