Tsentr Mass
The work is part of a project that explores the relationship with a heritage of failed utopia as neither one of simple condemnation nor extreme nostalgia; it is an archaeological and poetic engagement that is profoundly dialectical. The works are replicas and reflections that extract these structures from their worn contexts and reconstruct them in metal. Through a process of essentialization and recontextualization, the pure lines and geometric rigors of the original structures are exaggerated, allowing the viewer to experience the tension between the aesthetic attraction of pure form and the cold recognition of its ideological function. By deactivating their original social function and reactivating them as autonomous sculptures, the objects lose their historical rust to become monuments of the ideal itself. The monument of red carnations is the memory of a hero the child was meant to emulate, while the red star swing stands as a device that pushes him forward towards becoming the New Soviet Man.
Andreea Ilie
Andreea Ilie (b. 2001, Romania) is a visual artist who draws inspiration from the inherent connection between architecture and the human psyche. Her work captures the essence of social buildings and common spaces, emphasizing their profound influence on the modern individual. Through her compositions, she tries to unveil the true purpose of these spaces and underline the vital importance of collective experiences. She believes that the structures and systems of society, including architecture, are not mere entities existing in isolation, but rather intricate products of prevailing economic conditions and social relations. She seeks to combat the profound sense of alienation that can permeate our lives when we feel disconnected from ourselves and others.