Signal series 

Editor: So, here we have Yuri Zlotnikov’s "Signal Series," made with watercolor. At first glance, it feels almost playful, like scattered confetti, but there's a quietness to it as well. What do you see in this piece? Curator: These seemingly random dots carry immense symbolic weight. Each color and its placement likely refers to coded signals, perhaps communication within a system – be it social, political, or even personal. Do you notice the subtle variations in size and intensity? Editor: I do. Some circles are bolder, others fainter, almost like they're fading into the background. What could that signify? Curator: Precisely! This could reflect varying levels of importance or urgency. Consider the cultural context: Zlotnikov was working in the Soviet Union. What forms of communication might have needed to be disguised or obscured then? Editor: Oh, I see. So, these colours aren't just aesthetic choices, they're potentially stand-ins for something else entirely – messages meant to be understood by a specific group. Curator: Exactly! The beauty of abstraction lies in its ability to conceal and reveal simultaneously. What emotions does the colour arrangement evoke for you? Editor: I get a sense of both order and chaos, maybe like trying to make sense of fragmented information. It’s subtle but powerful. Curator: Indeed, a reflection of the complex human need to decipher meaning from a world often presented in abstract signals. This image serves as an intriguing investigation of visual language. Editor: I never would have thought of this work being a communication code, or being that connected to Soviet society! That gives the image a completely new depth.