Beat.

An art project, focused on domestic violence

Worldwide, 1 in 3 women have experienced physical or sexual violence — mostly by an intimate partner. In 2012, 1 in 2 women killed worldwide, were killed by their partners or family, while only 1 out of 20 of all men killed were killed in such circumstances. Only two-thirds of countries have outlawed domestic violence. (Source: UN Women).

In many post-communist societies and beyond, it is common for neighbours to react to any loud noise, as long as it is not caused by a domestic dispute or abuse – as domestic violence is seen as a “private matter”.

For example, in Bulgaria, where one in four women is a victim of domestic violence, dozens of women just in the past five years have been killed by a domestic partner or a family member – in some cases being tortured to their death for the duration of an hour, with their neighbors fully aware, but not interfering.

Beat. is an art project made in collaboration with survivors of domestic violence, featuring an interactive installation and a video.

Beat. explores the ominous silence surrounding domestic violence.

Beat.  is on the border between private and public, and asks questions – where does personal comfort end and civil responsibility begin, and when does inaction become complicity.

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Beat. is a project by Maksim Stoimenov (drummer) and Peruna Keremidchieva (programmer), co-authored by women who have suffered domestic violence, and in partnership with the global platform for socially engaged art Fine Acts.

Beat. Beat. is the winner of the first edition Fine Acts Labs – unique events that explore the intersection of human rights, art and technology.

Beat. The project is implemented with the financial support of