Artists Can’t Talk

Installation view from the exhibition URBAN MYTHOLOGY in Plovdiv City Art Gallery, 2023

The work delves into the artist’s capacity to articulate ideas and communicate the essence of their creations. In the dynamic interaction between the artist and the viewer, the question of meaning perpetually arises – what message does the artist seek to convey? It is intriguing to acknowledge that there is no singular answer, which transforms the viewer into an engaged participant and at times, even a collaborator in shaping the meaning. This delicate equilibrium fosters a fruitful environment for the creative process and enriches the comprehension of art on a profound level.

I’ve got a couple of stories I’d love to share with you. They might not seem all that extraordinary, their importance to me makes them special. It’s like they happened just when I needed them most, serving as my guiding compass. They cover a period in my life that I’ve probably moved past. I’ve taken some distance from that time and tried to recount them as if I hadn’t. These stories are like fragments of my life, each playing a role in shaping who I am today, as a person and as an artist, or at least that’s what I believe.

Telling these stories is an exercise. I practice telling the truth. If I’m exercising, it means I’m not good enough. What’s the problem with telling the truth? There are many problems. Even if I want to say it, I will miss something out of ignorance, and part of the truth is not the truth. In the universe, it can seem surreal for a person to communicate an objective truth. So, let’s bring ourselves back down to Earth and embrace the notion of subjective truth. Even articulating this subjective truth is a challenge. It can only capture a fraction of the truth. Do you see? The issue with conveying the truth lies as much in the act of telling it as it does in the truth itself. In other words, we are faced with at least two problems here. Expressing oneself requires a certain level of confidence and a willingness to face the potential consequences of our words, in the form of criticism, rejection, belittling, misinterpretation, as well as a correct interpretation which could lead to harmful anger. I must admit, I don’t always possess that confidence or willingness. However, it’s evident that there are advantages to taking such risks because, as humans, there are moments when we put ourselves on the line to voice what needs to be said.

Furthermore, there’s another aspect to consider – some risks may only exist within the realm of our imagination. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t underestimate the power of imagination and its influence on our actions and decisions.

Handwritten text on paper, installation view from the exhibition URBAN MYTHOLOGY in Plovdiv City Art Gallery, 2023

Video installation from the exhibition URBAN MYTHOLOGY in Plovdiv City Art Gallery, 2023