Anastasia Kotelnikova
The game of “Hide and Seek”, which Ivan Plusch and Irina Drozd have begun, is an installation whose image originates in the tradition of Surrealism – in which irrational thinking and absurdity predominate. A polished chest of drawers with beautiful handles, the shape of which resembles the boa constrictor that swallowed an elephant, is on display in the exhibition space. From the rear of the structure one can see the shabby carcass of a car, ergonomically placed within. The discrepancy between the interior and exterior here bewilders, causing unease.
The skeleton in the cupboard – is a hidden fear that arises in childhood when faced with an unknown, dark, enclosed space. In adulthood, these fears transform, creating certain patterns – the fear of failure and death. A varnished chest of drawers is an expensive piece of furniture, an attribute of a respectable life, associated with the comfort that comes with success. However, here the cupboard is like a case for the wrecked car – a container similar to a coffin. One doesn’t even want to look in such a cupboard, but you are always aware that it is somewhere nearby.
The work reflects the dichotomy between a person’s internal world and external appearance, reminding us how strong the bond between soul and mind must be in order to form an integral image. Trying on different roles, we create a cocoon that conceals our weaknesses. The ruins of the car are a symbol of frailty, separated by a layer of plywood which is an illusion that will inevitably be exposed.
