Polina Tomilina
– multidisciplinary artist, calligrapher, architect, member of the Creative Union of Architects of the Russian Federation, designer, and lighting designer.
In her work “White Book // Black Book”, the artist turns to the experience of depth psychotherapy, collecting both her own images and collective representations of personality, experiencing them through textures, meanings, and tactility.
In her work “White Book // Black Book”, the artist turns to the experience of depth psychotherapy, collecting both her own images and collective representations of personality, experiencing them through textures, meanings, and tactility.
Performative Introversive Project “White Book // Black Book”
The project was created at the artist-in-residence program “The Artist’s Book” curated by Elena Alekseeva in 2024.
At first, we see the Black Book – a canvas hanging in front of the viewer. The Black Book is a blanket, an image of a personality burdened by everything that has stuck to it – all the words we constantly heard in childhood, from which we unconsciously wove our worldview. Beneath these sharp and painful phrases, however, there still lies the whole and beautiful Self.
We then pass through 16 canvases with questions. The artist created the Black Book of pain, and the White Book of healing. But what lies in between? The artist decided that the completed project needs a process of personal transformation. How do we move from the Black Book to the White? How do we change? By answering important questions to ourselves. One must pass through them, reflect, and contemplate one’s life. And something will inevitably shift for the better. After passing through the questions, a lectern with the White Book opens before us.
The White Book is an image of a woman who has faced her problems, rewritten the Black Book of her childhood, and created new psychological foundations. Here are gathered all the words of support that were so lacking in childhood. Now this kind, warm book can always be held close to the heart, consulted in moments of doubt. It is tactile, crisp, gentle, bright, and very kind. After encountering this book, one feels a renewed desire to live and to create.
At first, we see the Black Book – a canvas hanging in front of the viewer. The Black Book is a blanket, an image of a personality burdened by everything that has stuck to it – all the words we constantly heard in childhood, from which we unconsciously wove our worldview. Beneath these sharp and painful phrases, however, there still lies the whole and beautiful Self.
We then pass through 16 canvases with questions. The artist created the Black Book of pain, and the White Book of healing. But what lies in between? The artist decided that the completed project needs a process of personal transformation. How do we move from the Black Book to the White? How do we change? By answering important questions to ourselves. One must pass through them, reflect, and contemplate one’s life. And something will inevitably shift for the better. After passing through the questions, a lectern with the White Book opens before us.
The White Book is an image of a woman who has faced her problems, rewritten the Black Book of her childhood, and created new psychological foundations. Here are gathered all the words of support that were so lacking in childhood. Now this kind, warm book can always be held close to the heart, consulted in moments of doubt. It is tactile, crisp, gentle, bright, and very kind. After encountering this book, one feels a renewed desire to live and to create.