Unraveling Narratives: Yana Schnitzler and the Journey of ‘Tales of a Phoenix: The Letting Go Project’

by ariellekandel · Published October 3, 2023 · Updated October 3, 2023

An intimate exploration of transformative stories of women around the globe, as conveyed by Yana Schnitzler. Responses edited for clarity by Arielle Kandel.

Can you tell us why you started the “Tales of a Phoenix: The Letting Go Project” and what it’s been like to bring together stories from women all over the world?

Embarking on the journey of “Tales of a Phoenix: The Letting Go Project” has been deeply moving and incredibly rewarding. The inception came about three years ago, just before the advent of Covid, during a period steeped in meditation and reflections on ‘letting go’. I wondered about the myriad experiences of women worldwide and what they yearned to release. The project began with a simple online invitation for women to share their stories on fabric and send them to me. The responses were overwhelming and diversified, coming from every corner of the globe. The pieces were poignant representations of their creators, varying in language, decoration, and simplicity. While creating a large skirt from these panels during a public residency at the Chashama storefront gallery, I realized the intrinsic craving for human connection and the powerful role art can play as a conduit for these shared experiences. It was more than an art exhibit; it was a sanctuary for connection.

With over 500 pieces from 60 countries, this tapestry of tales showcases a spectrum of struggles and experiences, touching and resonating with many, like Mark Rifkin of ‘This Week in New York’ who labeled it as a “terrific installation.”

You moved to New York from Germany more than 20 years ago. How has being an immigrant shaped your art and this project, especially living in such a diverse place like New York City?

Growing up in East Germany, a realm of limitation, my migration to the chaotic, creative metropolis of New York was a juxtaposition that challenged and liberated me. This collision of cultures compelled me to confront my identity and heritage and has significantly influenced my art. The city’s vibrancy and diversity have driven me to explore subtler movements intimately connected with fabric, ultimately culminating in my unique movement style and my current project, which delves deep into our emotional states, both personally and collectively.

Your project has support from big groups like the UN and the National Endowment for the Arts. How has this support helped your project grow, and have you had any special moments or partnerships because of it?

I am profoundly grateful for the extensive support ‘Tales of a Phoenix: The Letting Go Project’ has received. It stands as a testament to its relevance and has enabled the project to achieve beyond what I envisioned. The support garnered has provided exposure and facilitated partnerships, allowing the work to resonate with a larger audience, such as its presentation at the Art Center Highland Park in Chicago and the ongoing five-week show on Times Square. I hope to continue leveraging this support to elevate the project further, with aspirations to tour internationally next year.

Your exhibit is in a quiet place, Anita’s Way, right next to the busy Times Square. How does this location help to share the messages of your project about empowerment and letting go?

The serene location of Anita’s Way serves as a reflective space amidst the bustling surroundings of Times Square. This peaceful confrontation emanates powerful messages enshrined in the project, reaching people from all walks of life and offering a chance encounter with art that may potentially alter perspectives. The intimacy and vulnerability displayed in such a vibrant, public space emphasize our common humanity and interconnectedness, fostering a sense of solidarity and empowerment.

When the project ends in 2024 with a dance and destroying the skirt, what do you hope people who see it or are part of it will think about or learn, especially about women’s power and personal growth?

The project concludes in 2024 with a slow-motion dance performance, symbolizing the culmination of all the individual voices represented in the skirt, followed by its public destruction as a metaphor for release and renewal. Originally intended to be burned, environmental considerations have led to a decision to bury it with plastic-eating mushrooms, planting a “Tree of Life” atop. This symbolizes the release of the old and the embrace of new beginnings, mirroring the transformative phase humanity currently traverses.

We are living through times that necessitate a reevaluation of our values and a shift in perspectives. ‘Tales of a Phoenix: The Letting Go Project’ is a catalyst in this transformative journey, promoting personal growth, equality, and human connection. It serves as a beacon for shared experiences and fosters a sense of unity and sisterhood, reinforcing the power of sharing. The project’s immense impact and the profound connections it fosters are both humbling and inspiring.