Dichotomy

• “KRASNENKAYA BIENNALE 2023” (St. Petersburg), curated by Ekaterina Vasilieva, 2023.
  

“Dichotomy” is an installation dealing with the transitory nature of human existence and the complex relationship between the material and immaterial world. Through the symbolism of red cobwebs and scattered shoes, it offers an image of the “world-without-us” (Eugene Tucker’s term).

The central element of the installation, a six-meter long red web metaphorically represents ethereal threads of being that transcend the limitations of time and space and connect all living beings. This web signifies the deep connection between the world where we are and the world where we are not, emphasizing the interdependence of all forms of life.

At the base of the installation are several pairs of shoes representing humanity. Each pair of shoes carries the unique history and trajectory of an individual, collectively representing the diversity of human experience.

The dichotomy encapsulates the ambiguity of existence, focusing on the delicate balance between light and shadow, good and evil, presence and absence. Intentionally avoiding unambiguous interpretations, the work encourages the viewer to introspect and work with their own perceptions and emotions, contributing to a deeper appreciation of the work.

The use of red as the color of the web adds a visual element to the installation.

Red, the color of life and passion, draws attention to the vitality of existence and the intensity of human connection, even in a world devoid of our physical presence. It emphasizes the interplay of life and absence, prompting reflection on the interconnectedness of all things.

Private collection Katarina Kano