The Ghost is here 28.09.–23.10.2022 Online Exhibition
Ghosts appear between the visible and the invisible, the past and the present, the virtual and the material, to remind us that history repeats itself. (Mitch Brezounek)
Through virtual interventions and by blending history, visual art, reality, and fiction, Mitch Brezounek is inviting us to reflect on Europe’s past and reimagine its present.
In his exhibition, THE GHOST IS HERE, the artist digitally reconceptualizes 12 Soviet monuments on EU territory, challenges their perception, and questions the messages they carry. The virtual exhibition is part of the authors’ larger art project - GHOST - bringing forward the objective of raising funds for the Ukrainian independent art scene with a launch of monuments’ interventions NFT collection.
All 12 NFTs will be released by November 9 and 70% of the proceeds will support Ukrainian independent artists and cultural events in Ukraine, as well as the Bulgarian independent art scene.
For the creation of his artworks, Brezounek works in collaboration with prof. Evelina Kelbecheva - prominent Bulgarian historian and researcher of the communist past of the country. She is also the author of the exhibition’s historical texts, providing the necessary context and references. For the production of the videos the artist also partners with the 3D generalist Darky.
GHOST
Digital recreation of the Alyosha Soviet monument in Plovdiv
Ghosts appear and disappear in the darkest corners of our minds but when the drums resound, they line up, transparent, hissing the echoes of the past. Like rattlesnakes, whispering in our closed ears.
Mitch Brezounek
LIGHT AND DUST
Digital recreation of the Soviet army monument in Sofia, Bulgaria
Pillar of Sorrow, always left behind, in every battle women cry. They leave with a heavy heart, heavier than cast iron, hey suffer, bruised. Their forces radiate on a morrow of storms.
Mitch Brezounek
Bottleneck
Digital recreation of the Soviet army monument in Byala Slatina, Bulgaria
It is without counting the number of liters of alcohol needed to fly away in an iron bird. May the loyal tin soldier, so heavy, crash like an empty bottle where the propeller will bear his name.
Mitch Brezounek
ANTIC STRIKE
Digital recreation of the Soviet army monument in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Heritage is a bone, mythology is the skin, traditions get transformed. The Europa of ancient epics resounds and its echoes roar under our feet, it is then that our links are much more distant than a simple engraved stone.
Mitch Brezounek
Bread and salt
Digital recreation of the Soviet army monument in Burgas, Bulgaria
recipe for a rain of bread and salt: 2400 g heavy cream 4000 tablespoons melted butter 3000 glasses of lukewarm water 6000 glasses of flour 20000 teaspoons of salt 6000 tablespoons of sugar 2000 teaspoons of yeast 1500 sesame seeds 500 g of gravity 800 g of collision
Mitch Brezounek
oligarchs
Digital recreation of the Soviet army monument in Varna, Bulgaria
Inflation, credit, profit, corruption, manipulation of life. Their reigns collapse, the outcasts bite their fingers, their games are confiscated and the finger is pointed at them.
Mitch Brezounek
Fake news
Digital recreation of the Soviet army monument in Silistra, Bulgaria
Information grows day and night but lies dominate. Tanks hollow like balloons resound the lie, and deflate, fly away in the skies, so far, that they disappear on the horizon.
Mitch Brezounek
THAT'S ALL WE NEED
Digital recreation of the Soviet army monument in Ruse, Bulgaria
Sun and water is what we need to grow, Sun and water is what we need to survive; sunshine to illumine our hearts, and water to wash away our pain. Finally being able to breathe the yellow scent of this flower.
Mitch Brezounek
GHOST BLESS YOU
Digital recreation of the Soviet army monument in Pleven, Bulgaria
We replace it, cut it up and smash it. For the first time it fades. Then someone else takes it.
Mitch Brezounek
WILL-O’-THE-WISP
Digital recreation of the Soviet army monument in Dobrich, Bulgaria
The man discovered the fire, then tamed it. Later he found the tobacco which he lit. Tobacco stolen and consumed. He inhaled the ghosts to end up blocked under the ash heap of his sins.
Mitch Brezounek
BIRD TWIST
Digital recreation of the Soviet army monument in Kula, Bulgaria
Flock of birds liberating stone bodies, which under their effigies will in turn be responsible Of crimes committed.
Mitch Brezounek
PEACE AND HELL
Digital recreation of the Soviet army monument in Shumen, Bulgaria
The banners fall on the empty heads, which roll and disappear, slipping into the mouth of the beast which has its turns rejoiced.
Mitch Brezounek
two faces
Digital map of Bulgaria
The map metaphorically represents the two “faces” of Bulgaria. On one side, the map reflects the strategic locations of the Soviet monuments. On its other side, with the 12 stars on the EU flag placed on the exact same locations, the map reflects the present - Bulgaria’s membership in the Union. It is by bringing these two conflicting mindsets together, that the artist enables us to reflect on the past and the present.