Untitled. Srawberry Andreevna 2019

Curator: Before us, we have Alevtyna Kakhidze's 2019 work, "Untitled. Strawberry Andreevna," a drawing rendered with pen on paper. It appears to be a page torn directly from a sketchbook. Editor: My first impression is one of introspection, a glimpse into a fleeting moment. The sketch and handwriting evoke a sense of quiet observation. Curator: Indeed. Kakhidze’s work often explores themes of displacement, identity, and the experience of living in politically fraught environments, particularly in relation to her native Ukraine. This small drawing might represent her way of reflecting those events into her daily life, where time is subjective. Editor: Looking closely, I'm drawn to the handwritten text juxtaposed with the portrait. The casual nature of the script hints at a specific time – a time of day noted just above the figure. I can make out numbers, presumably telling the time… What can you say about the significance of time within the bigger picture of Alevtyna Kakhidze's work? Curator: I'm fascinated you focus on that specifically, because I find Kakhidze acutely aware of time's passage and its connection to memory and political shifts. The combination of script and portrait acts almost like a diary entry, capturing a personal, subjective experience within a larger context of sociopolitical change. Perhaps reflecting on the way individuals mark the passing of days and minutes during uncertain or volatile periods, particularly the temporal experiences that exist in the context of war and conflict. Editor: The style is incredibly evocative. The loosely drawn portrait, reminiscent of folk art traditions or even naive art, combined with handwritten script; the time displayed across both pages evokes ephemerality. Curator: Right, her use of the sketchbook format directly relates to her ongoing investigation into the boundaries between private and public spheres. It also embodies an intimate space where ideas are processed. Kakhidze reflects not just on personal memories but how cultural narratives take form, especially through an experience like temporal disorientation that can result from war. Editor: Considering those contexts, even such a simple image as this starts to unpack so many things. Curator: Precisely! And in these deceptively casual drawings, there's an intense investigation into the complexities of contemporary life.