On September 4, 2024, the exhibition “Limbo” by Moscow-based artist Katerina Kovaleva will open at CREA Cantieri del Contemporaneo in Venice, curated by Olga Strada. The show will run until October 31, 2024, as part of the broader artistic program “Waiting Zone,” initiated in 2022 and first presented at the GULAG History Museum in Moscow.
Exploring the theme of waiting: a universal concept
The “Limbo” project delves into the concept of waiting, an intermediate state that, as the artist states, is particularly relevant to humanity today. The exhibition features four parachutes painted in acrylic, each eight meters tall, suspended six meters above the ground, along with two canvases representing “The Rape of Europa” and “Europe’s Wedding Dress.” Alongside these monumental works, there are also 25 small-format graphic pieces, soft sintepon curtains, and fragments of parachutes.
Symbolism and allegories: a tribute to Venetian art
Kovaleva’s works are rich in references to classical art, featuring images from the frescoes of Tiepolo and Titian. “The Rape of Europa,” for instance, uses maritime symbols to depict a Europe in crisis, desperately clinging to the back of a bull, symbolizing the continent’s struggle and resistance. The work “Europe’s Wedding Dress” portrays a bridal gown with a map of Europe, representing an eternal bride seeking an escape route, a metaphor for evasion and salvation.
A portable paradise: the parachute as a symbol
The artist transforms the parachute into a metaphor for hope and salvation, describing it as “a portable paradise.” Her idea is to create a space that, while real, encapsulates a symbolic universe, a sort of “heaven” where one can find refuge and solace.
Reflections on time and memory
As curator Olga Strada points out, Kovaleva’s art is steeped in conceptual depth, exploring the themes of memory, contemplation, and waiting. Through these themes, the artist invites the audience to reflect on the human condition, poised between ethical choices and the search for a path to salvation in an uncertain world.
