Exlibris of Valeria Slavnikova 1981

This monochrome Exlibris of Valeria Slavnikova was made by Oleksandr Aksinin. It's a small piece, but the mood is monumental. The almost gothic sensibility and heavy chiaroscuro effect gives it an intense feel. A razor blade dominates the scene, a symbol of danger and fragility. The texture is so interesting; notice how Aksinin uses dense, intricate patterns to build up the image. It's like he's creating a whole world with tiny marks. Each dot feels deliberate, giving the blade a strange, almost tactile quality. The composition is simple but striking, with the dark background pushing the razor blade forward. It reminds me of the work of the German Expressionists, who were also interested in exploring the darker side of human experience. But Aksinin brings his own unique vision to the table, creating an image that is both beautiful and unsettling. It invites us to contemplate the complexities of life and death, and the beauty that can be found even in the darkest of places.