UNWHITEME
Participatory art project with AR and video art on identity and self-expression, 2019
UNWHITEME is an interactive art project that examines the complexity of individuality and the tension between societal norms and personal identity. Challenging conventional ideas of "happiness" and "normalcy," the exhibition invites participants to embrace the depth and nuance of their emotional experiences.
As the creator of this project, I aimed to bring together diverse voices, methodologies, and technologies in a shared exploration of identity. Identity, inherently multifaceted and syncretic, defies simple categorization. Through UNWHITEME, I sought to reflect its richness and invite meaningful dialogue.
As the creator of this project, I aimed to bring together diverse voices, methodologies, and technologies in a shared exploration of identity. Identity, inherently multifaceted and syncretic, defies simple categorization. Through UNWHITEME, I sought to reflect its richness and invite meaningful dialogue.
The project is built around five key elements:
AR Sculptures
Augmented reality sculptures visually represented mental states such as chronic fatigue, emotional burnout, and depression. Created under my direction by artist Sofiya Iginova and 3D artist/programmer Fedor Mikhailov, these sculptures illustrated the fragility of perfection. Ideal white cubes fractured, stretched, and collapsed, creating a visual and emotional tension that mirrored the complexities of human experience.
Video Art
A curated selection of video works from an open call addressed themes of identity, humanity, and self-awareness. Each piece was housed inside a large white cube with a small aperture, inviting viewers to peer into the artist's inner world. Contributing artists included Alyona Agadzhikova, Yulia Vergazova, Sandrine Dumier, DAPH (Dmitry Antropov, Philipp Guzeyev), Velimira Rud, Marina Zhukova, Nadya Levitina, Denis Protopopov, and Anisia Yaisina.
Audience Participation
Visitors were invited to paint their own small cubes using provided materials, transforming each into a personal expression of identity or emotional state. These cubes were then placed throughout the gallery, filling the space with vibrant, evolving compositions. Staff were instructed not to alter the placement, allowing the gallery to organically transform over time.
Daily Documentation
The gallery's dynamic evolution was documented daily, with photographs shared on the project’s website to capture the ongoing transformation.
Final Digital Archiving
At the exhibition's close, all painted cubes were digitized, preserving their designs as part of the project’s legacy. Visitors were also invited to take their cubes home as personal mementos.
This project would not have been possible without the incredible support of curator Yulia Rybakova. Her professionalism, sensitivity, and unwavering encouragement shaped the exhibition and brought its vision to life. Today, I am honored to call her a dear friend, but at the time, she was the guiding force who made the creative process seamless and inspiring.
