Untitled. Srawberry Andreevna 2015

Editor: We're looking at Alevtyna Kakhidze’s "Untitled. Strawberry Andreevna," created in 2015. It's a mixed-media collage drawing with ink on paper. Two small, handwritten notes are affixed to what appears to be a neutral wall. They feel like fragments, snippets of a larger narrative. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: What captivates me here is the seeming inconsequentiality elevated to art. These are notes, personal memos perhaps, made significant through presentation. Consider the animal sketches: crude yet evocative, hinting at loss— "died after the first shelling." Don't those animals evoke an ancestral tie with ancient art such as cave paintings or shamanic symbols? Editor: I see what you mean! They feel incredibly vulnerable. The other note seems to detail economic instability, referencing "Maidan." What significance does this contrast between personal loss and public events carry? Curator: Precisely! The juxtaposition is key. It speaks to the psychological weight of socio-political turmoil. Note how 'lies' or 'untruths' are highlighted in red ink. Doesn’t that specific color evoke the notion of warning or fear? Red traditionally warns of potential dangers. So, do you perceive these handwritten notes as documents of fact, memory, or warning signs? Editor: Definitely warning signs. The red underlines turn facts into potential lies, perhaps alluding to propaganda. These snippets capture the personal and the political within an intimate space. Curator: Agreed. This reveals the emotional continuity and enduring human spirit, finding ways to preserve individual voices during turbulent times. It speaks volumes. Editor: It’s amazing how much is communicated in these seemingly simple notes. It really gets me thinking about the narratives embedded in everyday objects. Curator: Indeed, and how visual symbols shape and preserve our collective memories, even in the most unassuming forms.