Untitled 2022

Curator: Looking at Alevtyna Kakhidze's "Untitled" from 2022, created with pen and ink, my immediate impression is a raw, almost frantic energy. The stark lines and directness of the message convey urgency. Editor: It feels very of the moment, doesn’t it? Like a political cartoon ripped straight from today's headlines. I find it fascinating how the artist uses a seemingly simple medium to create such a layered narrative. What symbols strike you the most? Curator: The central image of the oversized shirt being handled by medical professionals certainly resonates. It evokes ideas of containment, perhaps even a societal attempt to manage or control something, or someone considered unmanageable. Editor: The 'NEWS' heading looms large. The figure above, caught on what seems to be a TV screen, and his gesture resemble so much of current media theatrics. Is this personification, the universalization of political crisis portrayed through an image consumed on television, perhaps? Curator: Absolutely. I see the layering as a critique of the spectacle of politics, how it’s often consumed and manipulated. The handwritten text adds another layer, making the work feel like a personal plea or statement rather than a detached observation. The reference to “psychological treatment” in bright red emphasizes not only the psychological burden, but the immediate importance the author puts into it. Editor: I find the rawness in the graphic art strangely compelling. There’s a sense of immediacy and a lack of pretense, almost like overhearing a very direct conversation. The overall construction with the juxtaposition of images and direct pleas create a modern form of protest art. Curator: Agreed. Kakhidze effectively uses this "comic strip sketch," or rather visual diary entry to highlight anxieties and call for a sort of social or political intervention. Editor: It leaves me contemplating the role of artists as commentators and active participants in the socio-political landscape. They transform personal experience into something universally relatable, creating social impact. Curator: Ultimately, it becomes a thought-provoking reflection on the intersection of personal health, public spectacle and societal responsibility. Editor: Indeed. I think its impact is found in its straightforwardness as a social commentary from our time.