What if you could actually catch and visually show a process of inner dialog and decision making? This very moment when from something appears from the unborn.
The series of artworks-puzzles is dedicated to dualism, internal dissonance, the problem of choice and balancing between two or more parallel realities – physical, ideological, emotional and illusionary. Each of our decisions is like a choice between two doors leading to different corridors. Behind these doors we have completely different opportunities for us. Some of them seem obviously positive that might however turn out to be disappointing. The others could be vice-versa. The moment of the decision between two puts us in an inner conflict since we are not sure of the consequences. The Unborn will not reveal itself before we actually take a decision and make a choice.
What if we take a moment to think about how many decisions we have to take every hour, day, year… What kind of decision are these? Casual, every-day ones, moral and ethical, spiritual… Which path to choose in life? How to act in this or that situation? How to treat this or that person? Which values and principles to accept as foundation in our life and how to percept the reality? What is good and evil?
The possibility to take one objectively right decision is bizarre, since nothing absolutely objective exists. Most often we have to make a choice based on our own moral values, information we get and most importantly our maturity. The problem gets worth when we realize that everyone has many personalities inside that one need to compromise between. These personalities are hidden in us and might be both good and bad, aggressive and quiet, generous or pitiful. Each of them actively manifests itself in good and bad moment, affecting our vision of the world, events, situation and people in general. Every moment we need to decide who we chose to be.
The choice of mythological creatures for this project was made based on the fact that they represent two different existences that are in noticeable conflict between each other. For example, mermaid is half-human with a tail that belongs to a different creature, living in a complete different world. Hydra has many heads and thus many opinions with all the consequences and arguments it might have.
Are these characters good or bad? How to treat them unborn? Will the choice they make be right or wrong? Will their action be positive or evil? Still it has to be each of use to decide on that. Until that each character exists in two realities at one time and has two faces. Unborn.
Unborn X Reborn 2
Collection of artworks completed by Aleff Ahmad and Elena Kravchenko during their time with Sembilan Art Residency located in Seremban in 2015. Both artists focus on the problem of choice individuals are facing in their everyday life. “Unborn” is narrated as a series of fantasy characters whose role and attitude is unclear before the viewers take their own personal decision on this and take choice. “Reborn” part by Aleff describes the transformation a person might get through based on important decisions taken and choices made.
1. Confused.
Medium: acrylic on canvas
Medium: acrylic on canvas
Shiva the almighty God of Indian culture is depicted on this artwork. Having many arms his power is unlimited. In this artwork the god acts in an unusual way – he uses up all his arms and endless opportunities to closes down, hide and limit himself. This shows how sometimes a person can use all his abilities and effort against their own interests, which is also a free choice, neither right or wrong, but turning the idea of development upside down.
2. Dream of mind.
Medium: acrylic on wooden panel
Medium: acrylic on wooden panel
Another name for this artwork is Unjustified Consciousness. The mermaid has all the ocean in front of her but she is being cautious and prefers to stay in a safe bath on shore. While all the other details on the painting evidently show her being unhappy with her own decision. You can feel the tension inside the main character taking decision to stay on shore instead of jumping into uncertainty.
3. Hydra.
Medium: acrylic on canvas
The artwork symbolizes a dialogue to oneself. It is an examination of the problem of choice. In this case the choice of your attitude and response to a certain situation. Which personality inside you will choose to reveal and react under current circumstances. Everyone of us has various personalities and we always have to choose between them.
4. Lukomorie.
Medium: acrylic on canvas
Medium: acrylic on canvas
Lukomorie is the main artwork of Elena’s part of “Unborn x Reborn” show. It is based on interlude to one of the most famous Russian poems “Ruslan and Lyudmila” written by Alexander Pushkin in 1820. Elena found the characters described by the poet as perfect inspiration to realize her idea of the project. Transferred through the artist imagination the characters no longer seem definite in terms of good and evil, they are somewhat visually neutralized by the artist. A person well familiar with the original poem will be confused to see the heroes of his childhood not so recognizable anymore and unclear on their intentions. One who has not had a chance to read this masterpiece of Russian Classic Literature will also get no reference from the painting on how to treat this or that creature. Just like it is claimed by the project theme, Elena is showing in this artwork that in reality it is hard to judge a figure without sufficient details which might never be enough to be sure. The viewer is left with his personal choice on recognizing which characters are good and which ones are bad.
5. Two Faces. Instalation
Medium: acrylic on pinewood
It is our choice again how to conceive the mermaid. The romantic figure of her is so famous it has become an icon in many cultures. She is a woman but may be a danger. Mermaids sink ships and hearts. Considered hidden dangers one needs to be careful when choosing his or her ideal. There could be another nature which you will have to bear with.
6. Dragon. Installation.
Medium: acrylic on wood
This mythological creature exists in different environments but mostly he is born to dominate in sky. On this artwork the dragon is put into an unusual environment for him – water or ice. And it will take much more effort for him to take off to sky again.
