Attiss II (2nd part) 1989

Curator: I’m struck immediately by the sheer energy of this piece. It's almost violent in its application, wouldn't you agree? A raw, almost visceral feeling jumps out at you, wouldn’t you say? Editor: Indeed. This is Oleg Holosiy's "Attiss II (2nd part)", completed in 1989 using acrylic paint. It's interesting to consider this work within the political and social context of the late Soviet Union, specifically the evolving notions of identity and individual expression that were emerging at the time. Curator: The shades, that swirl of reds and blacks – it almost feels like something is exploding from within. It’s restless. There is this yearning for some sort of... release? Does that resonate for you at all? Editor: I appreciate the way Holosiy uses abstraction to express emotions that might be difficult to articulate directly. The urgency in the brushstrokes evokes a sense of societal upheaval but also reflects a deeper existential struggle, resonating with broader discussions of cultural identity in the wake of post-Soviet artistic movements. The formlessness could be seen as resistance. Curator: I see it too – this is rebellion in color, absolutely! What gets me, though, is this strange beauty in the chaos. He doesn’t shy away from ugliness; rather, he embraces it. What does that scream, really, but a truth, unfiltered? Editor: That "ugliness," as you describe it, challenges conventional artistic values and dominant cultural norms. The deconstruction of form mirrors a deconstruction of political ideology. And to think this all stems from mere acrylic! Curator: In terms of its process it must have felt almost ritualistic. Did Holosiy paint quickly do you think, almost involuntarily? The textures seem applied from so deep down! The work, to me, echoes an experience, rather than merely representing one... A beautiful piece... very raw. Editor: A crucial reminder that art often transcends aesthetic appeal, it confronts and questions. “Attiss II (2nd part)” embodies the historical moment and urges us to reflect on the continued relevance of dissent in the face of oppression and political shifts. Curator: Absolutely, a vital reminder indeed, but I can’t help thinking what the work meant to Holosiy himself and his creative spirit... the beautiful thing about it is we are still able to ponder, consider and admire!