Art as a reflection of the artist's worldview. If art is a cosmos, then this cosmos is inside us. Have we not started replacing self-reflection with self-admiration? Have we not started considering ourselves as gods, turning the bright and glossy demonstration of our lives on social media into a cult? Have we not, in the pursuit of a beautiful body, eternal youth, and beauty, forgotten about the inner world?
This mirror is the same size as Kazimir Malevich's famous "Black Square." This painting has been a subject of discussion, search for meaning, and various interpretations for over a hundred years, and it depends on us what exactly we see in it.
Malevich hung his first "Black Square" in the corner of the room, where icons were traditionally placed in homes. It was a gesture that broke the usual boundaries and traditions, becoming a symbol of the avant-garde. I also wanted to place my mirror in a way that would be in its context - as something that goes beyond ordinary perception. However, the exhibition organizers hung it on the entrance wall, and it simply became a part of the room. Meanwhile, without explanations, it remained just a mirror - a part of the decor, not a part of artistic expression.
Depending on the context, we can perceive the mirror differently. In a regular space, it becomes just a mirror, and at an exhibition, part of artistic expression. When we talk about Malevich, a connection arises with the avant-garde, with a history that imposes new meanings on this simple object.
At the exhibition where this art object was presented, it was interesting to observe how spectators reacted to the mirror. Some, upon entering the hall, did not stop to think about the work but simply used the mirror as a regular interior element, emphasizing how sometimes we do not notice the depth in everyday things. But there were also those who stopped and contemplated, seeking more in the object than just the mirror's function.
As for the mirror itself, depending on the angle, it reflected the works of other artists participating in the exhibition. This became another metaphor: how our perception of the world constantly changes depending on the context we encounter and how we can see parts of others in ourselves when looking through the prism of others' creations.
This piece became a part of my next exhibition, where I integrated it without text or reference to Malevich, becoming part of a new series in which I showcased my photo works with reflections in puddles and other surfaces. The mirror reflecting the world and people became another element interacting with other images and evoking deep reflections.
Reflecting one's face in this mirror, the viewer is faced with the question: "What do I really see?" It is not just an external reflection - it is an internal process where everyone will see not only their image but also what they are trying to avoid or aspire to. The mirror allows seeing one's own reflection, a moment of truth, a moment of deep self-reflection.
Each gaze into this mirror is an attempt to understand what we are really looking for in the world and in ourselves. This reflection is not just of physical reality but of an inner state: our experiences, beliefs, and hopes.
Everything we see is our own vision, our reflection, our personal perspective, experience, and belief. And it is in this search process that we can find our true essence.
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