The idea of BOG video loop came during protests 2020 in Belarus. Bog(swamp, балота (blr.), bagno (pl.)) is one of the trade marks and symbols of my home country Belarus. Almost 15% of Belarusian territory is placed under the swamps. Marsh lands, good and evil spirits of swamps as well as plants of swamps (Paparac-kvetka - symbol of happiness) take a prominent part in Belarusian mythology. Swamp is often conceptualised and poeticised in Belarusian literature. Swamps served as hiding places for Belarusian people in the periods of attacks as well as second world war. Belarusian swamps are also called “The lungs of Europe” as they contain a precious flora and fauna and clear the atmosphere from CO2. In my work swamp / bog gets a bloody colour and a loop-like temporal model. A swamp-like state of mind is both an element of Belarusian mentality, that is passive and all-acceptive, which is recognised by us, Belarusians, themselves; as well as bog is the State - monstrous Leviathan that swallows all its victims. This duality creates an endless loop, like a nightmare that is impossible to exit. I have chosen the word “bog” for its interlingual word play as “bóg” is “god” in polish and phonetically - in belarusian and russian languages (“бог”).
Exhibitions:
2023 As a part of installation “Punctum”. Group exhibition “Who’s voices are being heard?”, curated by Agata Ciaston. BWA Gallery, Wrocław, PL.
2021 Group exhibition. Gallery Bak Fasaden, Skåtøy, NO.