Untitled 2022

Editor: We’re looking at Alevtyna Kakhidze's “Untitled” drawing from 2022, created with pen and ink on paper. It’s filled with figures and text, almost like a political cartoon. What do you see in this piece, considering its context? Curator: It's impossible to ignore the work's strong socio-political undertones, especially given the date. Kakhidze, being a Ukrainian artist, directly addresses the collective culpability of Russian citizens in the ongoing conflict. How does the artist visualize the connection between individual actions and larger geopolitical events? Editor: I see figures labelled as 'The Artist,' 'The Comedian,' ‘The Singer,’ each seemingly contributing in some way. There's a vertical scale on the side… maybe indicating a level of responsibility? Curator: Exactly. The "degree of fault" seems to be a central theme here. It raises a critical question about individual responsibility within oppressive regimes. Note how national symbols are interspersed: where are the colours of the Russian flag deployed and in what circumstances? What does it tell you about their individual levels of responsibility, or perhaps about different modes of implication? Editor: The Russian flag colours appear on the shoes of a seated man and draped on someone lying down. It gives me a sense of being weighed down or implicated despite perhaps seeming passive. Curator: Precisely. The drawing highlights the complexity of complicity. The style itself, almost childlike in its simplicity, juxtaposes the gravity of the subject matter. Doesn't the direct, unpolished line work force a confrontation with uncomfortable truths? It leaves no room for escapism. What implications do identity politics have in understanding artworks such as this? Editor: It’s eye-opening. The artist compels viewers to question power structures, identity and accountability in times of crisis. Thank you. Curator: It highlights the important role of art in voicing concerns of global socio-political matters and reflecting on collective consciousness during crises. A stark visual representation of a painful reality.