Parlament Lights 2005

Arsen Savadov created Parlament Lights using photo-realistic painting. The monumental portraits flanking a central image, the work suggests the grand scale of Soviet propaganda art, but updated for the post-Soviet era. Consider the social context of its making. Savadov’s art emerges from Ukraine, during a moment of transition as society grappled with the legacy of its communist past, amid emerging capitalist forces. The interplay of materials and making holds profound meaning. Savadov uses recognizable imagery to question traditional values. The artist is not turning towards craft, but instead evokes commercial aesthetics, reflecting the transition from state-sponsored art to art production within a market economy. Ultimately, this piece reminds us of the significance of materials, making, and context, encouraging us to question traditional boundaries between fine art and craft.