Gravity

Technique:
Oil on canvas
Year:
2016

This artwork emerged as a reaction to the launch of a new wave of decommunisation in Ukraine. It began spontaneously during the Revolution of Dignity in 2013-14 and became integral to the state policy in 2015. Roshen is interested in his own attitude to this process and the swift in mind. At first glance, the presence of Soviet ideology in public space is perceived as a part of the landscape that has lost its primary meaning and weight. However, social changes during the Revolution of Dignity forced the artist to reconsider his attitude towards it and grasp the hidden influence of the Soviet reality artefacts on everyday life. The work consists of three identical canvases fastened together. The author freely interprets the style of Soviet-era monumental artworks. It is crucial for Roshen to minimise the visual language to a specific posterity and achieve the effect of limited and simple artistic means. Thus, he records the fact that the request to renounce the Soviet heritage is very loud, despite the lack of understanding of what should take its place.

Sasha Roshen. Gravity