This installation and animation offer a figurative take on the senselessness of wars, human despotism, greed, and inertia in making crucial global decisions.
The military conflict in Ukraine has inspired a wide range of responses from visual artists around the world. Through their works, these artists convey emotions, raise awareness, and provoke attitudes towards the ongoing struggle and its consequences. Each of them uses particular themes and approaches to express their reactions.
Eslitza Popova’s perspective is also unconventional. Born in an Eastern Bloc country where love for Russia is traditional and "unquenchable," the author is one of the very few artists in Bulgaria for whom this conflict is painful and who publicly demonstrates her position. Eslitza Popova talks about the genesis of her exhibition:
„When the war in Ukraine started, I started folding these insignificant papers. I listened and folded. It became a tic. Folding while listening to horrors in real time.
I thought there were no boundaries. That the world is opening up to culture and reading. To feelings and deep research. To sustainable/non-commercial pursuits and sports. I was naive. I thought folding would stop together with the war. It has already become a whole exhibition and I continue to fold. What should I do? Fold bigger size papers? As big as Tate modern? Or become an influencer? If we all fold continuously, we won't do anything else. Good for the planet. To fold all papers, all old newspapers, invitations, posters, drawings, sketches. I fold A4 because that's what I have on hand, but anything foldable can be folded. I recommend:
- All soldiers should be given A4 sheets, to fold one hundred rabbits a day. Let's see - will they have time to fight.
- To generals, politicians, philosophers and writers - 200 rabbits each. To some philosophers - maybe other figures - flowers, bomb shelters, palm trees, buildings.
- Let the others look after their peaceful work - digging, learning, teaching, thinking, drawing, doing nothing, etc.
