Troika 2013

Editor: This is Siegfried Zademack’s “Troika” from 2013, made with acrylic paint. It has this very still, dreamlike quality... the pale figure in the boat is striking, especially juxtaposed with the skeleton. What do you make of the symbolism here? Curator: The pairing of the nude figure and the skeleton immediately calls to mind the *vanitas* tradition and the *memento mori* – visual reminders of mortality. How do these traditional symbols resonate with you? Do you see a direct parallel or something more complex at play? Editor: I see the connection to mortality for sure, but it’s not as straightforward as a skull on a table. It’s like the skeleton is almost embracing the figure, not just a reminder but maybe even a companion on a journey? Curator: Precisely. Think about the long history of the boat as a symbol. Often it represents a vessel carrying souls across water—water often being symbolic of time and the subconscious. So who are these figures travelling together, and what are they crossing? The title "Troika," meaning a group of three, deepens the mystery. Notice also the red cord binding them. What emotions do those connotations bring to your mind? Editor: It makes me think about love, death, and the surreal, but the dummy in the background suggests something manufactured... Like a loss of authenticity? The whole image feels full of tension, almost disturbing. Curator: Yes, a powerful tension indeed. Consider how the artist uses established symbolic imagery, and then subverts it. Does this change our understanding of those deeply ingrained symbols or simply reinforce them? Editor: I guess I hadn't considered the way that changing symbols can be as powerful as keeping them the same. Thanks! Curator: It’s the push and pull between those meanings that really gives this piece its lasting resonance for me.