The protagonists of Masks, Myths, and Subjects are members of visible minorities who were born, raised, and educated in Germany. Created by photographer Alexandra Polina, these images use clichéd, folkloric settings and common stereotypes to question the social gap created by prejudiced, stigmatized views. The result is a collage of individual experiences, based on the common social condition of living as a perceived foreigner in Germany, combined with still-lifes where everyday objects are exoticized through their staging.
Polina shares more reflections on her work in an interview with ICP Projected curator Wesley Verhoeve.
During the day, Masks, Myths, and Subjects can be viewed on monitors inside the ICP Museum and during evening hours, images are literally “projected” onto the windows of the ICP Museum; they can be viewed from the sidewalk outside the Museum and are most visible after sunset.
About the Artist
Alexandra Polina was born in Uzbekistan. She studied journalism at the National University of Uzbekistan in Tashkent. She graduated in 2012 with a degree in art and design from Bielefeld University of Applied Science, where she is currently studying for master’s degree in the same department.
The main subject of her work has always been concentrated around the themes of immigration and identity, especially their social and emotional aspects. After spending twenty years in her homeland, Polina moved to Germany, which was a life-changing experience. The personal history and identity of the photographer runs through her work across the fields of staged photography and documentary work.
Polina is a finalist of Merck-Preis and a winner of several awards from organizations including PhotoVision, La Quatrième Image, and Photonic Moments. Her works have been shown in Germany, France, Italy, England, Luxemburg, and other countries.
