On October 16, 2023, in the heart of Times Square, I conducted a six-hour performance/protest titled “Unbecoming Human,” during which I bound myself to a chair. This act was a heartfelt dedication to innocent civilians and victims of wars worldwide, symbolizing the profound helplessness and suffering experienced by those ensnared in conflicts beyond their control.

The performance underscored how the repercussions of war extend beyond immediate battle zones, affecting even those in societies not directly involved. The psychological scars and societal disruptions caused by such conflicts contribute to a cycle of trauma that hinders healing and perpetuates instability worldwide. Through this portrayal, I aimed to foster a deeper understanding of our shared humanity and the imperative for empathy and peace in an interconnected world.

Photographer Serafeim Sakellariou captured the raw emotion and symbolism of this performance, bringing its message to life through his lens. I am deeply grateful for the invaluable support of my assistant producer, Eli Tatyana Mubarak, whose dedication was instrumental in realizing this project. Their contributions ensured that the essence of “Unbecoming Human” resonated with audiences, inspiring reflection on the universal impact of war. However, during the performance, I became acutely aware of the pervasive indifference in modern society toward issues that, although indirectly affecting us, fail to elicit concern or awareness. This realization highlighted how such indifference perpetuates the very conflicts and suffering the performance sought to address, emphasizing the need for a collective awakening to the pervasive consequences of global conflicts.

Unbecoming Human – Video Performance

In May 2025, I returned to Unbecoming Human with a durational performance that was captured on video, extending the silent protest first staged in Times Square in October 2023. Bound to a chair once again, I chose stillness and vulnerability as a way of confronting the unbearable persistence of wars that shatter lives yet too often pass unnoticed. This second act did not repeat the first, but rather deepened its resonance, showing how violence, though distant for some, echoes endlessly across our shared humanity.

As the hours unfolded, the performance revealed not only endurance but also the fragile currents that surface in public space—moments marked by apathy, indifference, mocking, and loneliness. These encounters, subtle yet piercing, became inseparable from the work itself, reflecting the uneasy mirror of society when faced with suffering it would rather not see.

I remain profoundly grateful to all who contributed to this project. To Christos Kaliontzidis, whose Pontic Lyra carried the weight of memory; to Stelios Mihas of Studio_4D, for shaping the sound with sensitivity; to Alkis Tzortzoglou, who captured the immediacy of the act through his lens; and to Sideris Nanoudis, whose editing brought the video into being. My thanks also to assistant producer Eli Tatyana Mubarak for her tireless support, and to Dr. George Vernardos for his encouragement. Above all, I acknowledge the passersby of New York City, whose authentic, unrehearsed presence became an inseparable part of Unbecoming Human.