Looking Glass 2009

Pavlo Makov made this artwork, Looking Glass, as a drawing in ink on paper. It’s an enormous drawing, almost the size of a small room! Looking at this, I think about the physical act of drawing. It is so immersive, isn’t it? I imagine Makov hunched over this large sheet, maybe having to stand on a ladder to reach the top, delicately building up this elaborate garden maze. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the page, creating intricate patterns. Look at the repetitive marks. He might have been thinking about utopian and dystopian themes, which could be why he repeats the letter "M" and "E" throughout the landscape. Each element seems meticulously placed, yet the overall effect feels organic, as if the garden has grown wild and untamed. It makes me think about the work of Piranesi, who drew imaginary prisons. Makov is in conversation with Piranesi. But what does it all mean? Well, that’s for you to decide.