Manifested Sound 1985

Editor: So, this is "Manifested Sound" by Oleksandr Aksinin, created in 1985 using mixed media. It’s quite striking—a large green ear is the focal point, surrounded by geometric shapes. What immediately jumps out at me is the bizarre and somewhat unsettling juxtaposition of organic and geometric forms. What do you make of it? Curator: It's an intriguing piece! The ear, rendered in that vibrant green, immediately draws us in, doesn’t it? The artist is clearly playing with symbolism here, inviting us to consider how we receive and process information. Note the almost scientific rendering, reminiscent of anatomical drawings, but distorted, surreal. The network of spheres connected by lines covering the ear; what do those evoke for you? Editor: They remind me of neural networks or maybe even radio waves. Almost as if the ear is a receiver, not just an organ. Curator: Precisely. Aksinin is tapping into a deep cultural memory linking ears and knowledge, sound and understanding. In many traditions, the ear is the gateway to enlightenment. Then consider the snake acting as an earring – the Ouroboros. Editor: I didn't even realize that was a snake! So the image has so many interconnected ideas that might relate to psychology, religion or some ancient symbolism? Curator: I would argue that Aksinin draws from all of those to form something new. And, like many symbols, Aksinin plays with the push and pull of conflicting signs. Knowledge is wonderful, but sometimes too much leads us to temptation, doesn't it? Overall, it asks how perception shapes our reality. Editor: I never thought of it that way before, but looking at it through that lens reveals a whole new depth. It's incredible how one image can hold so much. Curator: Indeed. Art has a way of mirroring the complexity of human experience through images, leaving much unsaid to ignite your mind.