Reclaiming Silence: A Portrait of Decay

Originally from Timișoara, Romania. I moved to the UK in 2020 to embark on my journey toward becoming an architect. Last summer, I proudly graduated with a Bachelor's degree and am eagerly anticipating the start of my Master's studies this coming September. Growing up surrounded by art, with my mother being an artist, profoundly influenced my creative outlook. This nurturing environment fostered my appreciation for artistic expression and honed my ability to see beauty in diverse forms. From a young age, I have been passionate about the artistic side of architecture, exploring this interest through filmmaking and photography. In creating my artistic works, I love to experiment with various mediums, constantly seeking new ways to express my vision. This innovative approach is reflected in my entry for the photography competition, where I combined my architectural knowledge of model making techniques with my love for art to produce something truly unique. My journey has been driven by a desire to blend the technical precision of architecture with the creative freedom of the arts, resulting in a distinctive style that I continue to develop and refine.

This project interprets the competition theme "Cover Me Softly" in a literal yet profound manner. Nature, represented by low vegetation and grasses, performs the act of covering, while the object being covered symbolizes our contemporary society. The white, fragmented shells shaped like a 'broken' human figure highlight society's numbness and apathy towards critical environmental and social issues. This metaphor underscores our disengagement with pressing global concerns. The imagery of nature enveloping the 'broken pieces of society' provides a glimpse into a potential future where self-destruction is imminent. It suggests a world where humanity's neglect leads to its own downfall, allowing nature to reclaim its rightful place amidst the remnants of civilization. This project not only reflects on our current state but also serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to recognize and address the vital issues we face before it's too late. The choice of white, broken shells to represent the human figure is significant. White, often associated with purity and innocence, contrasts starkly with the brokenness of the shells, symbolizing the fragmented and deteriorating state of society. The shells themselves, with their natural and delicate appearance, emphasize the fragility of our current condition. The use of plaster to mimic stone underscores the idea that our society has become rigid and unresponsive, encapsulating the emotional and moral numbness that pervades our interactions with the environment and each other. The broken human figure, enveloped by nature, also brings to mind the concept of the "sublime" in art and literature, where the beauty and power of nature evoke a sense of awe and terror. This duality is present in the project, as the viewer is drawn to the beauty of the natural covering while being confronted with the unsettling reality of societal collapse. The project thus operates on multiple levels, blending aesthetic appeal with a stark commentary on contemporary issues. In realizing the photographs for this project, the pieces of plaster were cast from my own body using alginate, a technique that captures fine details and textures, lending authenticity and a personal touch to the work. This method not only ensures a high level of realism but also creates a direct connection between the artist and the subject matter, making the commentary on society's condition even more poignant.