The traces of past, which Sokol has made important in his works, are the traces left by official history. A diversity of opinions on history appears in petty, unremarkable details — some sketches, thrown away photo albums... The graphical sheets from the series ‘Red scrolls’ are covered with a palimpsest from old photos, on which the light imprinted the physical reality of once living people. The technique of using carbon paper is one that provides an exact material imprint, allowing the past to exist here and now. The gaps between the diverse elements in Sokol’s works correspond to Benjamin’s idea of the complexity of history. But inspite of al lthe lyricism these traces appeal to the future,where they will find their place; they are able to become monuments like, for instance, the ‘Mars’ memorial’ (where a rough piece of metal adopts the thinker’s features).
Gleb Napreenko, exhibition curator
