OF WATER AND STONE
(2022)
This project was inspired by the book "Signs of Carpathian Magic. The Secret of Old Molfar" by Hromovytsia Berdnyk. Molfars are people in the Carpathians who possess supernatural powers. The author of the book wrote about the connections between different cultures. Years ago people used to believe in the same things even though Ukrainians had no communication, for example, with people in South America or Scandinavian countries. I felt the same connection with Ukraine while staying in Verzasca Valley, Switzerland in the summer of 2022.
On February 24 of the same year, Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine and I had to flee abroad. Being far from my home I still saw something that connected me to Ukraine. I started documenting things that brought to my mind some stories, creatures, and beliefs described in that book. Fern plants in the valley reminded me of the Slavic myth, according to which the fern flower blooms for a very short time on the eve of the summer solstice. It brings fortune to the person who finds it. My sister lying on a stone by the river reminded me of mavkas — creatures typically depicted as long-haired young women who lure men. Then there are mountains that reminded me of the Carpathians. And there is the red thread that reminded me of Ukrainian embroidery and sewed these places together.
On February 24 of the same year, Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine and I had to flee abroad. Being far from my home I still saw something that connected me to Ukraine. I started documenting things that brought to my mind some stories, creatures, and beliefs described in that book. Fern plants in the valley reminded me of the Slavic myth, according to which the fern flower blooms for a very short time on the eve of the summer solstice. It brings fortune to the person who finds it. My sister lying on a stone by the river reminded me of mavkas — creatures typically depicted as long-haired young women who lure men. Then there are mountains that reminded me of the Carpathians. And there is the red thread that reminded me of Ukrainian embroidery and sewed these places together.
