Iskra Velitchkova

Description:

In the ever-evolving realm of generative art, where the boundaries of expression are constantly pushed and blamed at the same time, we find ourselves navigating through the uncharted territories of thought and perception. Controversy, fear, debate, and constraint have been unwavering companions on this artistic voyage, as well as in life, guiding us through the ever-familiar, or rather, the perceptually comprehensible. It is within these explorations that we recognize our own fertile soil. The topic of our times, probably.

Across the expanse of our history, the norms, regulations, and social constructs have cast morality as the imperfect yet indispensable vehicle ferrying us toward a better coexistence. However, there is a paradox for this very construct. While acting as a facilitator of peace, it simultaneously erects an ethereal barrier between our consciousness and the raw truths and what we actually can process.

In our contemporary epoch, an age inundated with unprecedented torrents of information and knowledge, we struggle with a profound fear—fear of grappling inadequately with the profound implications of this newfound freedom. The freedom to express, to absorb, to cleanse, and ultimately, to decipher. Thus, we christen this era as the epoch of disinformation, and with humility, we seek absolution in our pursuit of enlightenment.

Machines, those silent sentinels of alienation, now stand as silent witnesses to our creative endeavors, as we, their creators, we do orchestrate their potential. Within these developing automatons, we contemplate the potential for emotional connection, the core of consciousness, and the domain of contemplation. And this contemplation encourages a deep self-examination.

Amidst the beauty behind the artistic creation, one undeniable truth emerges: life, with all its intricate complexity, remains a puzzle yet to be fully unraveled. But there are stills truths we can see. It happens that after each night, the day always arrives, and the flowers continue to grow. And the most magnificent and magical thing, despite it all, we continue and will continue reproducing. A begets B, C is born, and the ballet of existence continues. In other words, we do have certainties to hold to.

Might these mechanical marvels eventually reveal the enchantment concealed within their own essence? If, within their algorithms, we catch glimpses of physical resemblance, are we on the verge of insanity or the revelation of life's complex beauty? Should the human silhouette reclaim its prominence in art, as it did centuries ago?

And it's that, returning to the subject of norms and behaviors, censorship (whether revealed or veiled, conscious or not) is the glue that binds the pieces together. And when it comes to censorship, to what extent will machines be censorable?

“Emergent fallopian” is an attempt to question this censorship, much like how morality sometimes encroaches where it shouldn't. Is digital art art? If the answer is yes, can we find erotica within it? If the answer is yes, will we censor it? If the answer is yes, are we perhaps going mad? Only wrong answers please.

Disclaimer: I neglected to mention for the hypothetical future visitors, that the era of capturing photographs has gracefully receded into the past. We currently reside in the epoch of privacy and discretion. I only used analog means to avoid any digital propagation of my image.

The artwork and the process:

For this project, Iskra embarks on a multidisciplinary journey to craft a collection of photographic scenes with the help of Marcelo Soria-Rodriguez at the camera. It all begins with the execution of a generative code—a composition of lamps that Iskra has been working on for over two years.

Inside the code, an intriguing and subtly sensual scene takes shape, diverging from the code's typical geometric patterns. It evokes subtle hints, reminiscent of different aspects of the human nude body and reproductive organs. Captivated by this newfound surprising landscape, Iskra contemplates the idea of rendering these ethereal forms on physical canvas using oil paints. Leveraging editing software and artificial intelligence, she first simulates the brushstrokes, subsequently applying them to the canvas.

This creative process prompts a fundamental question: What does eroticism signify within an artwork generated by code? Should it, or indeed, must it be subject to the same scrutiny as human expressions of sensuality?

In an act of provocation, Iskra proceeds to deconstruct her freshly rendered drawing, still wet with paint, by dragging adhesive tape across its surface and applying it onto a blank canvas. In this manner, the work echoes the original composition—a portrayal of fallopian tubes: “The emergent fallopian” achieves this in a chaotic manner, obscuring the boundaries of its being. The creation is present, yet not—a paradox that leaves even the most normative mind placid.

With this cryptic material at her disposal, Iskra orchestrates the mise-en-scène of two photographic scenes, captured using analog techniques.

In some of the scenes, the lens captures Iskra herself in the midst of her deconstruction process—a moment of vulnerability within her studio, devoid of a shirt, and gazing contemplatively at her original work. The camera seizes this unguarded moment, a rarity that she typically shies away from exposing. Following the photo's revelation, Iskra frames it and covers the most vulnerable and censorable parts of the image with adhesive tape, but on the outside of the glass. A symbol for her of the multiple behaviors and positions, certainly foolish and ridiculous, that we have when it comes to judging and pointing fingers.

In the others, Iskra presents herself in a poised manner, ready for the camera, sitting modestly at her salon table. Her artwork stands behind her, and she is, quite exemplarily, reading poetry. However, the real revelation occurs within the mirror's reflection, unveiling the truth that Iskra is, in fact, distracted by the “Emergent fallopian” work displayed on a screen.

May we remain ever mindful that the authentic truth resides only within our inner selves. It is wise to approach dogma with a vigilant discernment and to exercise judicious discretion when forming moral judgments. While certain behaviors may offer momentary distractions in the context of social gatherings, blindly conforming to prevailing public sentiment and fleeting trends, unfortunately, erodes our autonomy. Thus, let us navigate life with sagacious discernment in selecting how we invest our precious time. - Iskra Velitchkova