«On hand»

Under conditions of censorship, we gradually become accustomed to self-limitation. We decide what can be said and what is better to conceal. Every concession seems reasonable; every silence—justified. External prohibitions become our own decisions. But habituating does not mean agreeing.

The metal construction set I once played with my son has become a tool for expression and self-censorship. In the artist’s book series, words and symbols lose their legibility. What remains are traces, imprints, shadows, and hidden structures. I give material form to my thoughts while simultaneously concealing their meaning.

In the video, I assemble flowers from the same parts—my personal symbol of peace—hide them in a backpack, and head into the city. Upon viewing, the flowers appear on the scanner screen. The surveillance system becomes an unwitting spectator to the concealed statement.

«Carried with you» means carrying and leaving unsaid. What we remain silent about does not cease to be a part of us.

Gradually, we begin to restrict ourselves in ways we once prohibited. We decide what can be said, what is better to conceal, and how our actions might be interpreted. Caution becomes a habit. We adapt to things with which we internally disagree. I am part of this «we,» too.

In a series of four books, I convey this state through the transformation and concealment of words and signs. The metal construction set I once played with my son becomes a tool for expression and self-censorship. Words and signs lose their legibility, but they do not disappear. What remains are traces, imprints, shadows, and hidden structures.

Flowers—a symbol of peace and peaceful life. But under our circumstances, even the most innocuous image can acquire a meaning that is dangerous to express openly.

Metallic details replace words, and holes replace letters. The poem maintains its structure but becomes illegible.

The symbols have familiar meanings, but they can also substitute for words—three symbols or three letters. Peace or war. Opposite in meaning, they become indistinguishable. Pressed into paper, they leave marks on both sides of the sheet.

Symbols have their customary meanings, but they can also substitute for words—three symbols or three letters. World or battle. Opposites in meaning, they become indistinguishable. Pressed into paper, they leave traces on both sides of the sheet.