Proteus 

Konstantin Korobov’s “Proteus” invites us into a landscape where the familiar rules of nature seem to be suspended. This artwork, made by an artist born in 1985, exists within a contemporary moment increasingly aware of ecological fragility and the Anthropocene. The ethereal presence looming over the landscape evokes a sense of displacement; it is neither quite cloud nor creature, challenging our notions of identity. The tiny figures at the water’s edge seem dwarfed, perhaps representing humanity’s precarious position in the face of forces beyond our control. The muted palette adds to the dreamlike quality of the scene. Korobov prompts us to consider not only our relationship with the environment but also our understanding of change. Do we see transformation as a threat, or as an opportunity for renewal? "Proteus" embodies this ambiguity. This tension invites reflection on the transformations which shape our world, and how we might find a place within them.