Installation view at The artists Residence Herzliya 2016
Installation view at The artists Residence Herzliya 2016
Sharashka
The project "Sharashka" draws its name from secret research laborers within Soviet Gulag camps, and it explores the intersection of Soviet history and present-day Israeli society. The project's primary focus is to reexamine Soviet history as a potential future for Israel, inspired by growing radicalization and political shifts in Israel, such as the rise of extremist parties, discriminatory laws, and the persecution of human rights activists.
The project delves into the connections between Israel and Russia, particularly the influence of Soviet immigrants in Israel and the historical ties between the establishment of Israel and Soviet regime policies. The project began with an excursion to Camp Perm 36, the last remaining labor camp now functioning as a museum. The artist returned to the camp in 2014 and created a series of video performances, while also conducting interviews in both Israel and Russia to form a comprehensive archive.
The outcome of the project is an exhibition at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, blending documentary materials, visual and conceptual interpretations, self-created objects, video and live performances, and interviews. This immersive experience, shown within a simulated "labor camp" setting, was featured in the "Workplace" exhibition in 2015, curated by Revital Ben-Asher Peretz.