Over the Nest 1989

Editor: So, this mixed-media assemblage is "Over the Nest" by Vigen Vartanov, created in 1989. There’s such a strong sense of fragility to it, juxtaposed with these rough, aged materials. I find myself wondering, what am I actually looking at? How do you interpret this work? Curator: The power of this piece, for me, lies in its commentary on societal structures and the precariousness of existence, especially within systems that often fail to protect the most vulnerable. The nest, usually a symbol of safety and nurturing, appears distressed, almost violated. Editor: Distressed how? Curator: Look at how the bird is placed; is it really "over" the nest, or is it trapped, burdened by it? Think about the found objects Vartanov uses - discarded materials, scrap metal - these evoke a sense of societal decay. Considering it was created in 1989, just before the collapse of the Soviet Union, could this speak to a disillusionment with the existing political and social order? Editor: So, the bird and its nest aren't just a literal representation but a symbol for something larger? Curator: Exactly. It encourages us to reflect on the fragility of social structures, family units, even individual identities, when faced with larger oppressive forces or societal upheaval. The work’s materiality – the roughness, the decay – speaks to this lived experience of precarity. Is there a parallel, do you think, between this constructed sense of precarity in art and reality? Editor: That's a really interesting way to consider it. I hadn’t thought about it in terms of social commentary, but it definitely adds another layer to the viewing experience, a critical lens on power dynamics and societal vulnerability. Curator: It reveals how art can serve as both a mirror and a critique, reflecting and challenging the world around us. I'm very glad we could look at this artwork in the spirit of activist art.