In 2008 Gosha Ostretsov created this mixed media piece about post Soviet Russia. In each cell there is a human type figure, portrayed in a different way. The first man is the only one who has committed suicide, while the others are bloodied and mutilated. Typically they are described as government officials who have had their humanity taken away, been punished, and pushed to suicide.
It would seem to be that each one of these businessmen have a mask possibly representing the corruption they chose to create. The first one has abandon such a life, deeming it not right or worth it, but perhaps his only escape was death. The man to the right is somehow managing to reach through the wall to grab the first man's mask, possibly to carry on the corruption that other chose to leave. On top of that the four men remaining, two of which are missing their hand or entire arm, have kept their masks on. They have decided to keep doing what they are doing no matter the cost. Perhaps unlike the first man their corruption is deeper or maybe they want to keep living.
The viewer has to wonder if Gosha is depicting what would happen to businessmen while Putin had power or if he is saying that it didn't end with Soviet Russia.
Citation:
Lupe Nuriez-Fernandez. www.saatchigallery.com. Saatchi Gallery, 2013. Web. 23 June 2013.
Roya Nikkhah. www.telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph, 18 Nov 2012. Web. 23 June 2013.
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