Tears and Roses

About

The Tears and Roses exhibition unites projects focusing on strong emotional experiences, exploring topics such as love, loss, escapism, longing, and existential reflection. Romanticism in the modern context takes on slightly different forms, rethinking ideas in new ways while generally preserving the basic aesthetics of classical Romanticism. In several works at the exhibition, there is a revival of interest in mysticism, religious, and alternative spiritual practices, reflecting a need to reach new emotional depths and a romantic desire to transcend the ordinary and connect with something greater. While it may seem that some projects nostalgically romanticize the past, the artists' works are more focused on personal experiences, self-knowledge, and emotional reflection. These themes echo the Romantic desire for self-realization and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. By piecing together memories of the past, with blurred outlines, the displacement of images, and the search for meaning in their fragments, the artists create new universes and fantastic worlds that evoke a sense of wonder and offer an escape from modern life. They continue to be inspired by history, literature, and cinema while using advanced mediums and AI. The artists celebrate reverent Romantic ideals and the rejection of generally accepted norms, as well as the desire for the unique and authentic. At the same time, their works critique the coldness and dehumanization in modern society, reflecting a search for oneself and one's place in life. This encourages people to follow their ideals and live according to their own values, expressing a desire for deeper meaning, interconnectedness, and beauty. Curator: Olga Eliseeva; Artists: 

Natasha Voronchikhina 

Anastasiia Aleksandrenko

Fedora Akimova

Olya Eliseeva

Ivan Afonskiy

Leili Aslanova

Dania Baigoza

Mila Kowalski

Varvara Alay