Angels 2000

Arsen Savadov's photograph "Angels" arranges figures and objects against a textured rock face. The overall effect is collage-like, as if disparate elements have been brought together and composed on the spot. Look at the texture of the rock, pitted and rough. This materiality contrasts with the props scattered through the scene: the smooth plastic of the trainers, the wooden ladder, and the tennis racket. These give a sense of the everyday. I am especially drawn to the contrast between the models and their wings. Are they falling angels, or simply men in costume? The placement of the winged figures suggests different states of being: one angel clings to the rock while the other reclines. Savadov's combination of staged elements and raw environment disrupts any easy meaning. Like the work of Jeff Wall, Savadov’s image embraces uncertainty and multiple readings. It’s a reminder that art often lies in the questions, not the answers.