Marxizm de Sad 1998

Arsen Savadov made this photograph ‘Marxizm de Sad’ sometime in his career, I don’t know when exactly, but he has made many images exploring similar themes. In this photographic theater, we are presented with a scene—a kind of allegorical staging that is as enigmatic as it is visually compelling. The figures, masked and nude, remind me of a ritualistic play or a dream, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. They are placed within a dark and dense forest, almost like a site of subconscious exploration. The juxtaposition of raw human forms with these masks creates a tension, a dialogue between what is seen and what is hidden. It makes you think about identity, performance, and the roles we play. The photograph also contains references to the history of art—from classical sculpture to surrealist theater. It is a conversation between the past and present, where Savadov invites us to engage with art history while questioning its relevance in contemporary culture. It makes you think about art itself as a constant process of exchange and influence.