Untitled 2022

Editor: This is an "Untitled" drawing by Alevtyna Kakhidze, made with ink in 2022. I'm struck by how direct and almost raw the style is, like a dispatch from a protest. It gives the impression of immediacy and maybe a little anxiety. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Absolutely. I see this work functioning as a form of visual testimony. Kakhidze uses a deliberately unrefined style, aligning herself with a history of activist art that prioritizes accessibility and direct communication over traditional aesthetics. It challenges power structures that attempt to erase or distort the realities of political events. Editor: Could you elaborate on the political context you see at play here? Curator: The drawing seems to grapple with the contested narratives surrounding the Maidan protests in Ukraine. The text and imagery appear to be a direct response to claims, perhaps in a court of law as the writing indicates, denying sniper fire on protestors from the Hotel Ukraine. In this sense, the "rawness" you mentioned is not simply stylistic, it is an ethical position. What do you think that this reveals? Editor: It really underscores the idea that art can be a vital tool for resisting manipulation and historical revisionism. So art becomes a vehicle for truth-telling in a situation where truth itself is under attack. Curator: Precisely. By rendering a specific historical event with this particular style, the artist not only documents but also intervenes, actively countering dominant narratives. Kakhidze reminds us of the power of art to amplify marginalized voices and to ensure that the complexities of political struggle are not easily forgotten. I find that deeply powerful and urgent. Editor: I hadn't considered the art as direct intervention, as more than a reportage; thanks for expanding how to view this!