Olshtin 1975

Curator: Let’s spend some time with this captivating cityscape, "Olshtin," by Petros Malayan, created in 1975. The medium appears to be watercolor, although there might be oil components involved too. Editor: My immediate reaction is one of subdued charm. There's a deliberate blurring of lines and a limited color palette dominated by muted earth tones and a dusky blue, that creates an almost dreamlike impression. Curator: I think the work's power lies in its depiction of urban space during the late Soviet era. Malayan subtly critiques the homogenizing effect of Soviet architecture through the soft blurring and use of muted color – hinting perhaps at a collective memory fading into uniformity. Editor: Interesting! I see how you're reading it that way, and I respect that contextual layer. For me, the artistic choice that strikes me most is the layering of tones – particularly the use of cooler shades in the shadowed areas and the stark geometry of the structures. It seems like a formalist study of urban spaces. Curator: That formal reading is definitely present, especially if we look at the arrangement of architectural elements leading the eye upwards towards an indistinct, almost ethereal, sky. The implied sense of elevation underscores the public dimension of this work and the common Soviet theme of a ‘bright future’. Editor: To me the focus on elevation and architectural forms seems very different: it is like a puzzle composed of various geometrical components: rectangular windows, triangular roofs and trapezoid building shapes with subtle contrasts that create the impression of an organic cluster in opposition to geometric standardization. Curator: True but even within a landscape context it echoes common representations and idealized visions which are carefully curated within larger state narratives. Editor: I find myself drawn into its textural details and harmonious composition as an architectural rendering; thank you, Petros Malayan, for your watercolor "Olshtin." Curator: Indeed! I will continue looking into the city’s historical urban developments and changes to its built environments throughout Soviet influence during that era; what an amazing piece.