ELENA KORNEEVA

On Modern Standards & Antique Techniques

Elena Korneeva - Moscow, Russia

“Throughout history, humanity has had a perception of the ideal body. But in today’s world full of aggressive marketing, celebrities, idols and bloggers culture it’s very easy to forget that this “ideal” is just an image and not everybody can, and, moreover, nobody should follow it. Nowadays every person can post a photo and receive words of admiration, adoration, envy or hatred in response. Of course, everyone wants to be socially approved. And everyone wants it so passionately that becomes afraid to admit that beauty doesn’t lie in meeting certain standards, instead, beauty lies in diversity. And it’s understandable, although it’s not a secret that there are “so many men, so many minds”. But the idea that looking in a certain way you will be liked by everybody at once is very tempting. And nevertheless, it’s not true and even very harmful, because the downside of striving for a standard is a deep rejection of your unique features, shame and anger towards yourself and other people. Therefore, my friends and I undressed in order to show who we are and to capture the uniqueness of shapes and lines that makes every person exceptionally beautiful. We are standing to say: don’t be shy, we’re all different, and we’re all ideal. The Body Party collection includes 6 artworks made from challenging materials (plaster, pigments). They all serve the purpose of communicating my thoughts. All bodies are beautiful. All genders are valid. People are free to be who they want to be. A woman’s body which plays a pivotal role in the feminist discourse is at the core here. But some of my male friends who share pro-feminist views are also involved. It has never been more crucial to talk about human rights, equality and freedom of expression. Especially nowadays when often times even the law is against us. That’s why this collection is my manifesto where people are vulnerable and seen as they are.”

“Throughout history, humanity has had a perception of the ideal body. But in today’s world full of aggressive marketing, celebrities, idols and bloggers culture it’s very easy to forget that this “ideal” is just an image and not everybody can, and, moreover, nobody should follow it. Nowadays every person can post a photo and receive words of admiration, adoration, envy or hatred in response. Of course, everyone wants to be socially approved. And everyone wants it so passionately that becomes afraid to admit that beauty doesn’t lie in meeting certain standards, instead, beauty lies in diversity. And it’s understandable, although it’s not a secret that there are “so many men, so many minds”. But the idea that looking in a certain way you will be liked by everybody at once is very tempting. And nevertheless, it’s not true and even very harmful, because the downside of striving for a standard is a deep rejection of your unique features, shame and anger towards yourself and other people. Therefore, my friends and I undressed in order to show who we are and to capture the uniqueness of shapes and lines that makes every person exceptionally beautiful. We are standing to say: don’t be shy, we’re all different, and we’re all ideal. The Body Party collection includes 6 artworks made from challenging materials (plaster, pigments). They all serve the purpose of communicating my thoughts. All bodies are beautiful. All genders are valid. People are free to be who they want to be. A woman’s body which plays a pivotal role in the feminist discourse is at the core here. But some of my male friends who share pro-feminist views are also involved. It has never been more crucial to talk about human rights, equality and freedom of expression. Especially nowadays when often times even the law is against us. That’s why this collection is my manifesto where people are vulnerable and seen as they are.” Text by the artist

Elena Korneeva The Body Party, 2020 Sgraffito on canvas Hexaptych 180 x 120 cm See availability @ricegallery.art