Klacks & Klecks

Reflecting on her childhood in Kazakhstan, Marina Schwan had always thought of ‘Taking Land’ as a simple game to keep the little ones entertained. Its deeper meaning was lost on her and the other local children, as they gathered excitedly each morning to challenge each other. The rules were simple. The children stood on the edge of a large circle, the space divided equally amongst them. Lots were then drawn to see who would throw the knife first. When the knife landed point-first in the ground, the player carved a line from their position to the knife, redrawing the territorial borders and claiming more land for themselves. The goal is total domination. Thirty years later, reliving this ostensibly innocent pastime with the next generation of her family, Schwan observed how the game rewards aggressive play, watching passively as her territory gradually diminished with each turn. What was once just a way to stave off boredom suddenly resembled Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. This strategic game that puts players in the roles of rival nations, annexing territory by force, parallels the political tensions and territorial conflicts of the present, particularly the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The shared themes of the game and grim reality highlight the simultaneous simplicity and complexity of both.

This method of play inspired Schwan, with its space, throwing and moves. ‘What used to be a popular children’s game in our country turned out to be a brutal reality. Maybe it’s my personal way of processing the current horror,’ she says.

Barefoot on a canvas, she throws brushes in paint and draws lines with a sharp palette knife. She presents a vast, stelliform palette of colours and shapes on a large scale, reinterpreting the game for herself. Through this playful effect, Schwan reconceptualizes and reimagines this children’s entertainment and juxtaposes it with harsh geopolitical realities.

KK010123 160 x 200 cm acrylic on canvas, 2023

KK040123 / KK020123 / 180 x 150 x 4 cm (each) acrylic on canvas 2023