The sculptural object «Polenitsa» is a chain mail made of red clay, with gray strands of hair woven into it.
The name of the project refers to the warrior maidens from Russian epics: female heroes who are not inferior in their fighting skills to men. Their main occupation is «polyakovanie»: they ride in the open field and fight with the heroes.
The challenges of modern times associated with military conflicts, the return of strict (sometimes cruel) cultural prohibitions in eastern countries, as well as domestic violence and other adverse circumstances, often force women to show recognized «masculine» qualities such as strength, courage, determination and endurance.
Red ceramic mass, hair. Hand molding.
55×75 cm
The shape of the object refers to the shirt-shaped armor woven in the traditional Russian way (every four solid rings are connected with one open ring). Long hair as a symbol of femininity and at the same time vitality (the myth of Samson) is woven into a rough earthen ceramic cover. Thus presenting the contrast between smooth and rough, feminine and muscular, attractive and repulsive.
The work «Polenitsa» invites to rethink ideas about femininity. What qualities should a modern woman possess and what kind of armor she is forced to «put on» in response to the challenges of the time. Does this make her more harmonious and/or happier? Is she able to overcome the role of a self-destructive victim and discover the potential for liberation in herself, to find the key to creative energy?
Title of the work: «Polenitsa» Author: Valeria Vitvitskaya Function: Art object Target audience: female representatives interested in contemporary art Technique: Ceramics. Red ceramic mass, hair. Hand molding. Dimensions: 550×750 mm Year of creation: 2024, Moscow Circulation and price: An unique art object, 290,000 rubles. A shortened version made of white clay is planned.
