«Skin Deep Memory» Olga Volianska

The «Skin Deep Memory» project explores how time leaves its marks — on the

body, in nature, and within consciousness. Skin is our personal archive: wrinkles,

scars, and touches — each line not only traces the past but also points forward,

into the future. It is a surface where events, emotions, wounds, and healings are

recorded — both visible and invisible signs of our lives.

In the 21st century, memory has changed. We upload recollections to the

cloud, turn them into data, and collect digital traces, yet we increasingly lose

the connection to the past through the body. Memories become fragile, like old

photographs fading in the sun, yet paradoxically eternal in their digital immortality.

Afraid of forgetting, we archive every moment, gradually losing the very fabric of

memory — its materiality, its touch, its scent.

At the heart of the project are dried leaves submerged in water. Their wrinkled

surfaces, delicate veins, and gentle translucency resemble skin. Water becomes

the boundary between the past and the future: the leaves do not vanish — they

simply change form, much like our memories — transforming but never dissolving

without a trace. It is a metaphor for how the future grows through the imprints of

the past, and how new meanings emerge from lived experiences.

Here, water is not just a symbol of time. It is a medium where memory dissolves

but never disappears.

The project offers a glimpse into the future through what has already become a

part of our skin. What lies ahead when memory is woven from digital fragments

and silent marks on the body? Can we find balance between the virtual and the

tangible, between fleeting data and eternal scars? Or will memory take on new

forms — like leaves dissolving in water, leaving behind subtle, invisible lines that

connect the body and code?

«Skin Deep Memory» is a reflection on how our relationship with the past is

evolving in the age of technology and how the traces of time embed themselves deeply within us, even when we no longer feel their touch.

«Unity» by Iryna Domashenko

The primary aim of the «Unity» series is to explore harmony and inner

balance. It seeks to unite simple, elegant forms, avoiding unnecessary

details and accessories that often distract from the essence. This

series draws inspiration from classic photography while embracing a

contemporary perspective on harmony, merging traditional techniques with

modern visual concepts.

The vulnerability and elegance present in these works should not be

mistaken for weakness. On the contrary, they embody feminine strength —

the ability to feel and convey natural warmth. Each frame is an attempt to

reassemble one’s inner core, reflecting the deep emotions and experiences

we all encounter.

The goal is not merely to showcase the beauty of vulnerability and

sensitivity, but to investigate how these qualities coexist and create

harmony. It is a search for balance in the graceful forms of bodies and their

connection with the surrounding world. Every element within the works is

part of a larger whole, highlighting the inseparable bond between human

existence and nature.

The theme of shadow holds particular significance in this series. A shadow

is not merely a reflection of ourselves but a living part of our personality.

Meeting oneself, in my view, involves acknowledging and accepting one’s

shadow. As Carl Jung asserted, the main goal of personal growth is not to

avoid one’s dark sides, but to integrate and understand them. This requires

courage and openness, which, in turn, lead to true inner harmony.

Thus, the «Unity» series is a visual exploration and reflection on the nature

of our existence — the connection between light and darkness, strength

and vulnerability. It delves into how we can rediscover balance within ourselves by embracing our shadow and celebrating our elegance.

Olga Volianska

e-mail: olga_volyanskaya@ukr.net

website: https://olgavolianska.art

instagram https://www.instagram.com/volianskaartcolor/ tel: +38 067 480 32 51

Iryna Domashenko

e-mail: di.domashenko@gmail.com

website: https://irynadomashenko.com/

instagram https://www.instagram.com/iryna_domashenko/ tel: +38 095 426 34 33