UK
This is a series of hand-embroidered flags featuring quotes and portraits of political prisoners in Russia. SPEECH(LESS) means "mute" or "having lost the gift of speech due
to a traumatic event." We placed LESS in parentheses because many courageous individuals in Russia are not silent and continue to fight. It is important for as many people in the world as possible to learn about them.
We chose flags as the form for the project because we like this accessible way for everyone to express support by hanging a flag in a window. It turned out that the window became our personal gallery. Speech(less)
is a dynamic social project that is seeking its place in the urban environment.
The Russian authorities are trying to convince everyone that the entire Russia supports the invasion of Ukraine. This is not true.
After the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, there was a dramatic change in legislation that significantly restricted freedom of speech in Russia.
to a traumatic event." We placed LESS in parentheses because many courageous individuals in Russia are not silent and continue to fight. It is important for as many people in the world as possible to learn about them.
We chose flags as the form for the project because we like this accessible way for everyone to express support by hanging a flag in a window. It turned out that the window became our personal gallery. Speech(less)
is a dynamic social project that is seeking its place in the urban environment.
The Russian authorities are trying to convince everyone that the entire Russia supports the invasion of Ukraine. This is not true.
After the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, there was a dramatic change in legislation that significantly restricted freedom of speech in Russia.
SPEECH(LESS)
Several laws introduced in Russia after invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 banned the use of words ‘war’, ‘invasion’ and ‘attack’ in relation to the conflict, and criminalized any critique of the Russian army, the state government and the president.
Within a few months, people found themselves in a country where any passerby could submit a denunciation for the use of the word ‘war’, or even ‘peace’, leading to years of imprisonment.
The project invites the audience to reflect on their own experiences of propaganda and restrictions on freedom of speech, be that imposed by the state or popular public opinion.
We tell the stories of Russian political prisoners whose lives have been forever altered because they refused to stay speechless.
Within a few months, people found themselves in a country where any passerby could submit a denunciation for the use of the word ‘war’, or even ‘peace’, leading to years of imprisonment.
The project invites the audience to reflect on their own experiences of propaganda and restrictions on freedom of speech, be that imposed by the state or popular public opinion.
We tell the stories of Russian political prisoners whose lives have been forever altered because they refused to stay speechless.
ENG
/
Photos from the exhibition SPEECH(LESS), RCCA, Redcar, UK, 2023
Photos from the exhibition “Vox Vellum: Flags of Future”, Pennant Place, Gainsville, Philadelphia, USA, 2023
textile flags, 2022 - ongoing
Wordplay based on the famous Soviet slogan МИРУ МИР – PEACE TO THE WORLD.
The word PEACE (МИР) was banned from public use in Russia after beginning of the war in Ukraine. People carrying slogans calling
for peace are often targeted by the police.
As the word РИМ (ROME) is just МИР (PEACE) written backwards, it’s often used to disguise a pro-peace message to avoid issues with police. This does not necessarily work
in practice, but the word РИМ has become synonymous with a pro-peace message.
The message behind this big heavy flag is
that empires remain empires even when they pretend to call for peace.
РИМ – ROME, МИР – PEACE/ WORLD
The word PEACE (МИР) was banned from public use in Russia after beginning of the war in Ukraine. People carrying slogans calling
for peace are often targeted by the police.
As the word РИМ (ROME) is just МИР (PEACE) written backwards, it’s often used to disguise a pro-peace message to avoid issues with police. This does not necessarily work
in practice, but the word РИМ has become synonymous with a pro-peace message.
The message behind this big heavy flag is
that empires remain empires even when they pretend to call for peace.
РИМ – ROME, МИР – PEACE/ WORLD
Series of flags (fabric and threads),
2022 - ongoing
2022 - ongoing
This is a series of hand-embroidered flags featuring quotes and portraits of political prisoners in Russia.
SPEECH(LESS) means "mute" or "having lost the gift of speech due to a traumatic event."
We placed LESS in parentheses because many courageous individuals in Russia are not silent and continue to fight. It is important for as many people in the world as possible to learn about them.
We chose flags as the form for the project because we like this accessible way for everyone to express support by hanging a flag in a window. It turned out that the window became our personal gallery. Speech(less) is a dynamic social project that is seeking its place in the urban environment.
The Russian authorities are trying to convince everyone that the entire Russia supports the invasion of Ukraine. This is not true.
After the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, there was a dramatic change in legislation that significantly restricted freedom of speech in Russia.
Several laws introduced in Russia after invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 banned the use of words ‘war’, ‘invasion’ and ‘attack’ in relation to the conflict, and criminalized any critique of the Russian army, the state government and the president.
Within a few months, people found themselves in a country where any passerby could submit a denunciation for the use of the word ‘war’, or even ‘peace’, leading to years of imprisonment.
The project invites the audience to reflect on their own experiences of propaganda and restrictions on freedom of speech, be that imposed by the state or popular public opinion.
We tell the stories of Russian political prisoners whose lives have been forever altered because they refused to stay speechless.
SPEECH(LESS) means "mute" or "having lost the gift of speech due to a traumatic event."
We placed LESS in parentheses because many courageous individuals in Russia are not silent and continue to fight. It is important for as many people in the world as possible to learn about them.
We chose flags as the form for the project because we like this accessible way for everyone to express support by hanging a flag in a window. It turned out that the window became our personal gallery. Speech(less) is a dynamic social project that is seeking its place in the urban environment.
The Russian authorities are trying to convince everyone that the entire Russia supports the invasion of Ukraine. This is not true.
After the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, there was a dramatic change in legislation that significantly restricted freedom of speech in Russia.
Several laws introduced in Russia after invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 banned the use of words ‘war’, ‘invasion’ and ‘attack’ in relation to the conflict, and criminalized any critique of the Russian army, the state government and the president.
Within a few months, people found themselves in a country where any passerby could submit a denunciation for the use of the word ‘war’, or even ‘peace’, leading to years of imprisonment.
The project invites the audience to reflect on their own experiences of propaganda and restrictions on freedom of speech, be that imposed by the state or popular public opinion.
We tell the stories of Russian political prisoners whose lives have been forever altered because they refused to stay speechless.
SPEECH(LESS)
ENG
/
ENG
/
Photos from the exhibition SPECH(LESS), RCCA, Redcar, UK, 2023
Photos from the exhibition “Vox Vellum: Flags of Future”, Pennant Place, Gainsville, Philadelphia, USA, 2023
a hand-sewn flag
300x200 cm
2023
Wordplay based on the famous Soviet slogan МИРУ МИР – PEACE TO THE WORLD.
The word PEACE (МИР) was banned from public use in Russia after beginning of the war in Ukraine. People carrying slogans calling
for peace are often targeted by the police.
As the word РИМ (ROME) is just МИР (PEACE) written backwards, it’s often used to disguise a pro-peace message to avoid issues with police. This does not necessarily work
in practice, but the word РИМ has become synonymous with a pro-peace message.
The message behind this big heavy flag is
that empires remain empires even when they pretend to call for peace.
РИМ – ROME, МИР – PEACE/ WORLD
300x200 cm
2023
Wordplay based on the famous Soviet slogan МИРУ МИР – PEACE TO THE WORLD.
The word PEACE (МИР) was banned from public use in Russia after beginning of the war in Ukraine. People carrying slogans calling
for peace are often targeted by the police.
As the word РИМ (ROME) is just МИР (PEACE) written backwards, it’s often used to disguise a pro-peace message to avoid issues with police. This does not necessarily work
in practice, but the word РИМ has become synonymous with a pro-peace message.
The message behind this big heavy flag is
that empires remain empires even when they pretend to call for peace.
РИМ – ROME, МИР – PEACE/ WORLD