Untitled 2022

Curator: Looking at Alevtyna Kakhidze’s “Untitled,” created in 2022 using ink on paper, what’s your initial take? Editor: Stark. The simple linework and sparse composition immediately convey a sense of devastation and cold detachment, amplified by the limited palette. The image feels almost diagrammatic, distilling complex emotions to their barest visual elements. Curator: Absolutely. Kakhidze's work often delves into the political realities of Ukraine, and this drawing is no exception. It reflects on the Russian invasion, specifically challenging narratives of collective responsibility versus individual culpability. Editor: Yes, the stark juxtaposition of the phrases "Not Russia Putin did" and "Russia bombed" emphasizes that tension. Visually, I’m struck by the angel figure; the angularity of its form and crossed arms presents a fascinating study in conveying defiance, even resignation, through posture. Curator: That figure is labelled as "A Russian Intellectual," a character frequently found in Kakhidze's work. It acts as a symbolic representation of the complex position many Russians find themselves in: grappling with responsibility and moral implications while facing state propaganda and censorship. The angel's crossed arms speaks to the imposed silence, or the active choice to remain silent. Editor: The stark contrast in imagery is quite effective. The image on the right presents crude depiction of urban devastation, seemingly disconnected, adding another layer of distancing, both visual and emotional. There's very little context to understand it, though its emotional undertones are very evident. Curator: And there is a power in that reduction. Kakhidze encourages viewers to contemplate the human cost of conflict. Who takes the responsibility and why is the accountability conveniently bypassed? Editor: Ultimately, its effectiveness lies in its almost childlike simplicity. By stripping away complexity, the artist achieves maximum emotional and political resonance. Curator: It becomes a poignant document of a painful historical moment and invites profound introspection. Editor: Indeed. It reminds us of art's capability to speak truth with powerful visual economy.