Untitled 2022

Here is the audio guide script for the artwork provided: Alevtyna Kakhidze created this ink drawing, in 2022, depicting a line of figures pulling one another. It's a poignant visual commentary on contemporary displacement. At the front, a figure pulls luggage toward “Departures,” while each subsequent figure is tethered, resisting movement forward. Note the man in the striped shirt: he is reminiscent of the imagery of the “eternal wanderer,” with a longing for a homeland. His clothes are reminiscent of the outfits worn by prisoners. This is a visual echo of the historical figure of the Wandering Jew, eternally displaced, bearing the weight of collective guilt. The last figure is “Putin,” accompanied by a dog on a skateboard, symbolizing power and control. This evokes a sense of historical and cultural commentary; the dog is an age-old symbol of loyalty. The linear composition draws on deep, subconscious emotional responses from the viewer about themes of displacement, guilt, and responsibility. The past resurfaces, evolving and taking on new meanings in this historical context.