video transcript

Unlike the fairytale, the kiss that awoke this "Sleeping Beauty" came from a woman. The "living" installation is the work of Ukrainian-Canadian artist Taras Polataiko. He chose five women to take turns to 'sleep' on a bed in Ukraine's National Art Museum. Visitors could kiss the women, hoping to rouse them. Yana Gurzhiy, the model who was stirred, says the decision to open her eyes was a spontaneous one. SOUNDBITE: 'Sleeping Beauty' Yana Gurzhiy, saying (Ukrainian): "It was a very quick moment, and I didn't think about it for a long time. It happened in a second and I opened my eyes. When I saw a girl in front of me, I was naturally surprised, but I would also have been surprised if it had been a strange man." There was a catch: visitors had to sign a contract agreeing to marry "Sleeping Beauty" if their kiss woke her. Polataiko says he doesn't expect the ladies to wed, but he hopes it will start a conversation in the Ukraine where same-sex marriage is outlawed. SOUNDBITE: Taras Polataiko, "Sleeping Beauty" artist, saying (English): "I hope it will generate the discussion about the gender relationships in this society, and hopefully it will influence it in the progressive way. In terms of what the girls will decide to do, it's up to them." Gurzhiy and Katya have no plans to elope.