"LATE"
Solo exhibit "LATE" was made specially for America House Kyiv and was a part of HeForShe Arts Week in Ukraine.
It is a continuation of the long-term "Presence" project aimed at visualizing the values stereotypically imposed by society on people. This research art-project explores gender issues with an emphasis on aspects and concerns related to women's lives in modern society. The title of the exhibit connects us to the main art-object — old doors with built-in LED-lighting word "L A T E". Firstly, this art-object visualizes the German term "Torschlusspanik" which does not have a precise translation into English but can be literally translated to "fear of the closing gates." This term originated in the medieval time period, when citizens lived in fear of being locked outside of their town. After sunset, the area safety gate would close, without any regard to who was left outside. Being left outside meant that you were thrown to the wolves. Although we don't live by gates anymore, the term is still used to describe the fear of losing opportunities. Most often this term is used in the context women's fear of losing their chance to marry or have a child (the ticking of their "biological clock"). Every time visitors pass by or try to come closer to this art-object the word "late" on the door will light up. This interactive process allows visitors to visualize the feeling of always being late, no matter how hard you try. This artwork also shows illustrations and personal stories of 20 people collected from around world, visualize the stereotypes formed by societal pressure, and raise relevant questions for today's conversation on gender issues.