visual artist Jeanna Kolesova

My artistic practice is based on working with a variety of time-based media. The content of my work is pointing out and critically investigating issues which flood and form our everyday life but often go unnoticed. I am especially interested in social dynamics, formation of perception and behavior.

An underlying moment in my works is my own experience of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the comprehensive violence and subsequent migration, which until now didn't touch autobiographical details. This past experience led me to reflect on two completely different topics, which are inextricably linked for me. Presence of first one in socio-historical dynamics such as longing for the lost past, formation of national stereotypes, role of authoritarian state in the life of an individual, (non)visibility of violence. Second one is rooted in cosmic futurism and imagining an utopian future.

Based on my assertion that personal and political are intertwined, the core of my work is the interaction between piece (or artist) and spectators. I believe that the participative process, amongst others connections to other people and places, gives a strong moment for reflection on particular issues. For creating participation I am using a variety of moving images and installation, site-specific performance, web, photography.

Jeanna Kolesova 2021