The Fourth 'Book of Schemes'. Album #1, the First Folder 1978

Valerii Lamakh made 'The Fourth "Book of Schemes"' with ink on paper. At first glance, the concentric circles and radiating lines appear precise, almost mechanical. But the artist’s hand is clearly present. The slight irregularities and subtle tonal variations in the ink reveal a meticulous, yet organic process. Lamakh, working in Soviet Ukraine, created this drawing as part of a larger series, a ‘book’ of sorts. Consider the implications of that title. A book is typically a mass-produced object. Yet, here, we have a unique, hand-drawn work. This tension gets to the heart of Lamakh’s practice. He was deeply engaged with the visual language of industrial design and engineering, but chose to realize his vision through the slow, deliberate act of drawing. Look at the circular motifs, perhaps planets or atomic structures, rendered with careful detail. What could be read as a scientific diagram becomes something more personal, even spiritual. Lamakh transforms the objective language of industry into a subjective expression. It reminds us that even in the most technologically advanced societies, the human hand remains a powerful tool for creativity and resistance.