ALEKSANDRA GARKUSHA
Dramatization as Fermentation installation
Painting, Panel picture (acryl, silicon transparent film), video, text
Supported by the CYLAND Media Art Lab 

“In my project, I draw an analogy between the processes of dramatization and fermentation. If we look at fermentation in the everyday culinary sense, we may say that this is a controlled process of spoiling food in order to obtain more pronounced taste properties. I believe that drama in the everyday sensual sense carries out very similar functions, and uses approximately the same methods. I juxtapose dramatization and fermentation in four points: prerequisites, mechanism of action, necessary conditions and final results. The project consists of four panels on transparent film, and a video about one of the conditions that enable fermentation — pressure. In this video, I compare the “controlled” pressure characteristic of dramatization that is connected with personal emotions, and uncontrolled external pressure that is connected with global problems.”
Aleksandra Garkusha 

Aleksandra Garkusha is a participant of the School for Young Artists program (2021-2022) of the PRO ARTE Foundation. She works with graphics, painting, illustration, photography and text. She took part in group exhibitions in St Petersburg, Russia, Rome, Italy, and Berlin, Germany. She is a graduate of the St Petersburg State University’s Art Department (Film and Television Artist).   

ALENA BEGOVA
There Is Nothing Wrong installation
fabric, mildew microorganisms
Supported by the CYLAND Media Art Lab 

Due to the current situation,
The installation is closed. 

These words of prohibition are becoming increasingly common nowadays. They not only change familiar routes, but they also infringe on our rights. We get the feeling that a decision has already been made for us. The endless “You mustn’t!” puts us in a situation where we have no choice. The fabric with “metallic” folds does not permit any further inspection. Its attractive pearly appearance stops us from immediately noticing a corner of the fabric that is starting to go moldy. This is the natural process of decay in any falsely constructed system, which it is impossible to hide. 

Alena Begova is a participant of the School for Young Artists program (2021-2022) of the PRO ARTE Foundation. She works with object, public and street art, graphics, and collage. Her art projects were shown in Russia, Greece, and Denmark. She is a graduate of the Ioganson St Peterburg State Academy Art Lyceum and a student of the St Petersburg State University’s Art Department (Film and Television Artist). 

SOFIA GRIGORIEVA AND YULIA RIBETKI
Dependent media installation
Supported by the CYLAND Media Art Lab 

People who live in a community actively influence each other. Words, actions, comments and evaluations by people around us have an effect on us all, even if it is just a silent presence. We are endlessly changing under the influence of other people, sometimes faster, sometimes slower. Society is incessantly fermenting us. “Dependent”, the entity that we create, is a state of dependency on those around us that is carried to absurdity. It develops and transforms with every person passing by. It increases in size. It turns the other way. It grows new parts. We look at it, and it looks at us in response with an even greater number of eyes. Walking past it, we do not know what kind of changes we will provoke, but they will take place without a doubt. 

Sofia Grigorieva is a participant of the School for Young Artists program (2021-2022) of the PRO ARTE Foundation. She works with installation, video and public art. She examines a society and a human, their interaction and mutual influence. Sofia participated in numerous group exhibitions, including New Time at the New Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia, and New Ideas for the City at the Museum of the City Sculpture in St Petersburg, Russia. She is a graduate of the St Petersburg Stieglitz State Academy of Art and Design’ Monumental Art Department (Sculpture). 

Yulia Ribetki (Baryatinskaya) is a participant of the School for Young Artists program (2021-2022) of the PRO ARTE Foundation. She works with performance art, sculpture, graphics, and installation. She took part in group exhibitions in Russia and UK. Yulia is a student of the St Petersburg Stieglitz State Academy of Art and Design’ Monumental Art Department (Sculpture). 

Artworks were presented at the Cyberfest-14 International Media Art Festival on October 12-25, 2022 at the HayArt Cultural Center in Yerevan, Armenia.