Breathless Civilization - Mixed Media Assemblage on Canvas
By Irena Orlov
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Breathless Civilization" In this work, I explore the fragility of human systems—the moment when the line between protection and vulnerability begins to dissolve. Gas masks, once symbols of survival, become artifacts here. They no longer protect; instead, they carry the memory of fear and the instinct to endure. I intentionally build a tense, almost fractured surface—through aggressive drips, layered textures, and broken, gestural marks. For me, this is a visual language of urban decay and emotional residue, traces of what remains after overload, anxiety, and loss of control. The fragmented elements within the composition are not just formal—they reflect a world where survival has become automatic, stripped of human presence. I’m interested in that shift—from conscious existence to something mechanical. This work does not follow a direct narrative. I see it as an artifact—a trace of a civilization that adapted too late. Air, in this piece, is not only a physical necessity but also a metaphor for freedom—something increasingly restricted, filtered, and controlled. By merging painting with object, I intentionally blur the boundaries between mediums, reinforcing the central tension of the work: protection and vulnerability, presence and disappearance." Artist Irena Orlov. This original mixed media assemblage, measuring H34" x W57", masterfully incorporates various dimensional elements and techniques, including painting and found objects, to create a captivating abstract piece with a profound global message. Medium and Materials: This extraordinary artwork is a mixed media assemblage on fine art canvas, skillfully hand-stretched over 1" deep wood stretched bars. The artist's creative vision weaves together an intriguing combination of materials, including plastic, original World War 2 chemical gas masks, copper mesh, and small metal round container...
2010s Contemporary Plastic Abstract Sculptures
Bronze
