«Surviving has become a functional art» is a video-performance that serves as a poetic self- portrait, exploring my relationship with trauma. In my efforts to transform trauma and become a functional being, this endless art of survival has shaped my perception of reality. I live in a constant state of survival, coping with trauma, yet expressing gratitude for being alive. This uncomfortable intersection is portrayed in the video performance, where I undergo a non- surgical aesthetic procedure to temporarily erase imperfections on my legs. The procedure is painful due to the injected acid, mirroring the persistent nature of trauma. However, pain is also the catalyst that awakens me from an alienated reality. The results are temporary, reflecting the ongoing actions required to cope with survival trauma.