Tertia vigilia 2020

Curator: Looking at Andrey Remnev's "Tertia Vigilia," created in 2020 using oil paints, one can't help but feel drawn into its peculiar and captivating scene. Editor: My first impression is that it feels staged, like a very elegant and slightly melancholic dream. There’s something unsettling and regal about her… almost intimidating, really. Curator: I agree; the staging evokes the stillness of dreams, of twilight. Consider the title itself, “Tertia Vigilia,” or "Third Watch," hinting at the pre-dawn hours. In antiquity, the third watch marked a liminal time of night. What symbols do you notice? Editor: Well, the rooster, of course! A classic symbol of dawn, vigilance, and perhaps a touch of bravado? And she is holding it so casually. Also, is that a serpent I see on the front of her gown? Talk about duality. Curator: Excellent point. The serpent entwined suggests deeper connections between them, possibly of renewal, of sly cunning or simply transformation. This tension is very striking, isn’t it? Her averted gaze creates an additional mystery to contemplate. Editor: Definitely, I am now fascinated by her diamond patterned dress, each harboring a flicker of light—it's almost hypnotic, holding me captive. And that severe ruffle. But also…is that barbed wire trim at the bottom? Are we dealing with beauty, danger, or both? Curator: Remnev is a master of blending surreal and realist elements. The flowers along the base of the gown appear real. Her whole pose and bearing also suggest someone well-bred. And the almost otherworldly silver gown feels very intentional in his juxtaposition of classical references and something more contemporary. Editor: Absolutely, it's like she's guarding secrets and paradoxes with equal grace, with the colors making me thing of an aged vintage photo. I can easily imagine her as a figure from an obscure fairytale—a beautiful captive or an empowered enchantress. Curator: Indeed, an intersection of symbols woven skillfully into a hauntingly lovely whole, and what is not apparent upon first glance continues to draw you in further, each viewing unveiling yet something new to consider. Editor: This piece has ignited a unique contemplation, inviting us into a world where light flirts with darkness and heralds of the morning may not actually bring salvation. I think my favorite part is her expression, that sort of weary confidence and the quiet acceptance. It really adds layers of intrigue.