The project “Connection” began in late 2022 as a reflection on wartime separation, when loved ones were forced apart. (My twin sister, Ksenia, lived in Odesa, while I was primarily in Berlin.) The first presentation was held on August 6, 2022, in my rented apartment in Berlin, where I had been living for a year. Notably, this presentation coincided with Twins Day.

Through this project, I aim to explore the unique dynamics of twin relationships by analyzing my own experience, while also examining the influence of technology on art, and reflecting on the nature of painting in today’s context. My goal was to convey the essence of my bond with my sister through my paintings. In parallel, Ksenia, a pianist, created a musical composition expressing our relationship.

The project also includes projected phrases that others used when comparing my sister and me as children. These words, projected onto the walls, extend to the visitors, engaging them in the experience of these comparisons.

In my paintings, intertwined bodily forms symbolize the deep connection between my sister and me. As identical twins, we share an exceptional level of trust, acceptance, and understanding, which serves as a source of profound support. Yet, twinhood also involves challenges, such as managing separation and individual responsibility.

A metal grid overlays the paintings, symbolizing both protection and constraint. The inspiration for this grid comes from the Procreate app, where it appears when stretching and transforming images. The grid motif recurs throughout the project, including on the walls of the exhibition space, symbolizing how technology can shape and confine us. Within the paintings themselves, you’ll also notice white lines—guidelines from Procreate that coordinate space—integrated into the traditional medium of painting.

Sound part, made by Ksenia Kostina

Photo: Alex Dyak