Statement by the artist: «In an age where the idea of a
totalitarian, restrictive regime is mostly a somber reminder of a
pre-1989 era (or material for dystopian scenarios) it’s interesting to
observe how the world – starting with some of the most democratic
countries – is suspending «voluntarily a couple of the most basic human
rights and freedoms by imposing the first nationwide lockdowns since
World War II. And, although the causes are of a very different nature
today, I can’t stop myself from drawing a line between the current
restrictions and those experienced by prior generations (me included, as
a kid growing up in Romania in the late 80s) under totalitarian
regimes.
During Ceausescu’s dictatorship but also a while after
(through the harsh transitional period that followed the “89
revolution), the greatest form of escapism were Hollywood movies (in
communism only available through the VHS black market). Because of my
then early age and a certain naivety, I initially became fascinated with
American „cheap” cinema, soap operas and later on Latin-American
telenovelas, where everyday life was blending in a fantasy world and
reality was basically represented as illusion. This fictional form of
escapism was very “first-degree” rewarding for eyes and senses, and most
comforting in times of discomfort. That’s also when I started
impersonating different characters, which is a big part of my practice
today.
All the best from Bucharest!»
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