Asya Marakulina

The project consists of drawings mostly made blindly and videos of walks taken both with open and closed eyes. I opened my eyes for a split second, and then walked or ran until I completely lost orientation in space, or it was scary to move on blind.

I was wondering for how long an instant print in visual memory is enough for confident moving. In the process I followed my sensations: how confidence is replaced with vulnerability and a fear to stumble.

Alongside, I did a series of drawings with my eyes closed and in complete darkness. I mentally took all the routes that I recalled - from my walks to school to the current daily routes to my studio. I tried to restore all the details: turns, houses, signs. I tried to synchronize my hand with these walks, as if touching them with my hand and my mind's eye.

As I grew tired, I allowed my hand to move freely on the sheet. By touch, I switched tools so that the lines would not tangle into one knot. This is how the threads of the past, present and fictional routes intertwined.