Angels 2000

Arsen Savadov’s photograph, "Angels," stages a scene that feels like a half-remembered dream. The palette here is muted, almost melancholic, with the greys of the rocks meeting the steely blues of the water. This feels so appropriate for an image of angels that are neither heavenly nor particularly ethereal. The stark contrast between the gritty, tactile reality of the beach and the delicate artifice of the wings creates a tension that is so arresting. Take, for example, the way the water laps at the angel’s legs, blurring the line between the physical and the imagined. The materiality of the image – the grain of the film, the way the light catches the individual feathers – grounds the piece in a tangible reality, while the composition invites a sense of longing, or perhaps even absurdity. Savadov's exploration of identity and performance makes me think of Cindy Sherman, another artist who isn’t afraid to play with constructed realities. In the end, it's all about seeing the world a little differently, isn't it?