Der süße Geschmack des Schweigens.

The Sweet Taste of Silence.

The traditional lollipop Petushok (петушок) – “rooster” – reflects the Russian population. It symbolically represents the deeply rooted glorification of the Soviet Union within Russian culture and is connected in the installation to a well-known saying: “who walks with his head bowed will not be beheaded.”

The rooster lollipop is presented in three variations:

– those who keep their heads bowed,
– a headless majority,
– and 10% who hold their heads high – a symbol of active protest against the war of aggression in Ukraine within the Russian population.

The Russian regime uses cultural ties not only to demand loyalty from its own people, but also to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine. The question arises: How long can a society maintain an attitude of head-bowing — or even headlessness? Each lollipop represents one day of the war. Currently, the installation comprises 1,096 roosters. The Sweet Taste of Silence will only be presented after the war ends – but the question remains: Will it taste bitter then?

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Acrylic on paper.

The silhouette of the rooster lollipop is depicted as a headless majority. 10% are shown with heads held high, representing active protest against the war of aggression on Ukraine within the Russian population. Each lollipop stands for one day of the war. Currently, this work measures 150 × 350 cm and will only be completed once the war is over.