White Flowers
Ак чәчәкләр
White crocuses as the symbol of steadfastness, healing and hope for the better
Art-objects and flowerbeds which can be seen from the hospital windows
Ivan Ninety (Protvino)
Igor Safiullin (Moscow)
Architectural bureau 11 (Saint Petersburg) and the residents of Almetyevsk
Igor Safiullin (Moscow)
Architectural bureau 11 (Saint Petersburg) and the residents of Almetyevsk
30/1 Stroiteley Prospect
The art object was created jointly with the residents of Almetyevsk
Context
How a traditional Tatar novel «White flowers» and a global pandemic took on new meanings in the new art-objects on the territory of Almetyevsk's Central District Hospital.
In 1965 a Tatar author Abdurakhman Absalyamov wrote a novel called "White Flowers" about the doctors' work and their constant struggle for human lives. The writer compared them with white flowers (because of the white coats doctors are wearing as a uniform). Thanks to this metaphor, white flowers have become a symbol of doctors in Tatarstan.
«White Flowers» art composition is based on the COVID-19 pandemic, which heavily affected the life of every single person. We learned what self-isolation and keeping the distance are, we have become more attentive to each other's health. Doctors' work has taken on a new meaning, including heroism, risks and commitment. Reacting to these changings, people experience new emotions, such as gratitude, faith and respect. The art-objects reflect the feelings and emotions each of us had during the pandemic.
We started to search for a recognizable image, which stands for healing and associated with faith and hope for the better. In August 2020 anthropologists and botanists of the project had an expedition to the villages close to Almetyevsk. Scientists explored natural landscapes and inquired local people about the flora of the area. At the same time an expert of the project Alfrid Bustanov looked into text sources and the areas around Almetyevsk.
The result of two expeditions was a white crocus, a symbol of healing and hope for the better. Crocus is also called saffron, which plays an important role in Sufi medicine. The description of its medicinal properties can be found in Egyptian texts and Chinese medical books. A three-part art composition «White Flowers» appeared at the intersection of the metaphor from Absalyamov's book and symbolic meaning of crocuses. It can be seen now at the Central District Hospital of Almetyevsk.
«White Flowers» art composition is based on the COVID-19 pandemic, which heavily affected the life of every single person. We learned what self-isolation and keeping the distance are, we have become more attentive to each other's health. Doctors' work has taken on a new meaning, including heroism, risks and commitment. Reacting to these changings, people experience new emotions, such as gratitude, faith and respect. The art-objects reflect the feelings and emotions each of us had during the pandemic.
We started to search for a recognizable image, which stands for healing and associated with faith and hope for the better. In August 2020 anthropologists and botanists of the project had an expedition to the villages close to Almetyevsk. Scientists explored natural landscapes and inquired local people about the flora of the area. At the same time an expert of the project Alfrid Bustanov looked into text sources and the areas around Almetyevsk.
The result of two expeditions was a white crocus, a symbol of healing and hope for the better. Crocus is also called saffron, which plays an important role in Sufi medicine. The description of its medicinal properties can be found in Egyptian texts and Chinese medical books. A three-part art composition «White Flowers» appeared at the intersection of the metaphor from Absalyamov's book and symbolic meaning of crocuses. It can be seen now at the Central District Hospital of Almetyevsk.
Abdurakhman Absalyamov's novel «White Flowers» narrates the doctors' work and their constant struggle for human lives.
Botanical illustration of a crocus.
In 1965 a Tatar author Abdurakhman Absalyamov wrote a novel called «White Flowers» about the doctors' work and their constant struggle for human lives. The writer compared them with white flowers (because of the white coats doctors are wearing as a uniform). Thanks to this metaphor, white flowers have become a symbol of doctors in Tatarstan.
«White Flowers» art composition is based on the COVID-19 pandemic, which heavily affected the life of every single person. We learned what self-isolation and keeping the distance are, we have become more attentive to each other's health. Doctors' work has taken on a new meaning, including heroism, risks and commitment. Reacting to these changings, people experience new emotions, such as gratitude, faith and respect. The art-objects reflect the feelings and emotions each of us had during the pandemic.
We started to search for a recognizable image, which stands for healing and associated with faith and hope for the better. In August 2020 anthropologists and botanists of the project had an expedition to the villages close to Almetyevsk. Scientists explored natural landscapes and inquired local people about the flora of the area. At the same time an expert of the project Alfrid Bustanov looked into text sources and the areas around Almetyevsk.
The result of two expeditions was a white crocus, a symbol of healing and hope for the better. Crocus is also called saffron, which plays an important role in Sufi medicine. The description of its medicinal properties can be found in Egyptian texts and Chinese medical books. A three-part art composition «White Flowers» appeared at the intersection of the metaphor from Absalyamov's book and symbolic meaning of crocuses. It can be seen now at the Central District Hospital of Almetyevsk.
«White Flowers» art composition is based on the COVID-19 pandemic, which heavily affected the life of every single person. We learned what self-isolation and keeping the distance are, we have become more attentive to each other's health. Doctors' work has taken on a new meaning, including heroism, risks and commitment. Reacting to these changings, people experience new emotions, such as gratitude, faith and respect. The art-objects reflect the feelings and emotions each of us had during the pandemic.
We started to search for a recognizable image, which stands for healing and associated with faith and hope for the better. In August 2020 anthropologists and botanists of the project had an expedition to the villages close to Almetyevsk. Scientists explored natural landscapes and inquired local people about the flora of the area. At the same time an expert of the project Alfrid Bustanov looked into text sources and the areas around Almetyevsk.
The result of two expeditions was a white crocus, a symbol of healing and hope for the better. Crocus is also called saffron, which plays an important role in Sufi medicine. The description of its medicinal properties can be found in Egyptian texts and Chinese medical books. A three-part art composition «White Flowers» appeared at the intersection of the metaphor from Absalyamov's book and symbolic meaning of crocuses. It can be seen now at the Central District Hospital of Almetyevsk.
Abdurakhman Absalyamov's novel «White Flowers» narrates the doctors' work and their constant struggle for human lives.
Botanical illustration of a crocus.
Map of the «White Flowers» art objects
Click on the question icon to read more about art objects.
The «Veil» light installation
«Veil» is made of compressed stainless steel sheets, LED strip lights and chain-link, and its patterns are based on the traditional Tatar embroideries. At night time «Veil» casts whimsical flower shadows and highlights, creating a magical atmosphere for those who look at the installation from the windows of wards and offices.
Process
A three-part composition «White Flowers» appeared on the territory of the Central District Hospital of Almetyevsk in October 2020. Artworks were created specially for those who come into the hospital or stay inside, and for whom the view from the window is the only connection with the outside world.
While the architect Anna Delgyado is assembling the «Veil» beside the hospital, people come to visit their ill relatives and friends standing in front of the windows.
A three-part composition «White Flowers» appeared on the territory of the Central District Hospital of Almetyevsk in October 2020. Artworks were created specially for those who come into the hospital or stay inside, and for whom the view from the window is the only connection with the outside world.
While the architect Anna Delgyado is assembling the «Veil» beside the hospital, people come to visit their ill relatives and friends standing in front of the windows.
Windows of the hospital are a kind of a portal for people inside and outside. While the work was in full swing (the authors were installing the «Veil» artwork, residents of Almetyevsk were planting crocuses, and Ivan Ninety was working on his mural), only one thing remained unchanged: meetings through the windows. Window gives an opportunity to see a loved one, regardless of the floor. Patients' relatives peered into the windows to see familiar faces and talk to their beloved ones using the phones or ajar windows.
Windows of the hospital are a portal connecting two different worlds.
Windows of the hospital are a kind of a portal for people inside and outside. While the work was in full swing (the authors were installing the «Veil» artwork, residents of Almetyevsk were planting crocuses, and Ivan Ninety was working on his mural), only one thing remained unchanged: meetings through the windows. Window gives an opportunity to see a loved one, regardless of the floor. Patients' relatives peered into the windows to see familiar faces and talk to their beloved ones using the phones or ajar windows.
Windows of the hospital are a portal connecting two different worlds.
Authors
Authors of the «Veil» installation: Alexandra Yankevich, Alexander Lomaev and Anna Delgyado. Anna was born in Leningrad. She graduated from Moscow Architectural Institute (MArchI). Together with Alexandra she founded the Architectural bureau 11, which specializes in architectural design, public spaces, reconstruction and installations. Among the implemented projects of the bureau are the interiors of the «Tikhiy Khod» (from Rus. «Slow speed») bar and the «Kosulya» pub. (from Rus. «Roe»). They have also created two installations for the light art festival «Night of Light in Gatchina».
Installation of the «Veil» on the territory of Almetyevsk's hospital, autumn 2020.
The architects lined the generator house with compressed stainless steel so that it reflected the ambient light and shimmered like the water of the ancient ocean, which was located in the area of the Almetyevsk district many centuries ago.
Installation of the «Veil» on the territory of Almetyevsk's hospital, autumn 2020.
The architects lined the generator house with compressed stainless steel so that it reflected the ambient light and shimmered like the water of the ancient ocean, which was located in the area of the Almetyevsk district many centuries ago.
Ivan Ninety was born in Protvino, a town of Moscow region, where he still lives and works. He is a software engineer and a graphic designer by training. He simultaneously became interested in graffiti and analog photography in 2007. Now his art consists of various collages, assemblages, line graphics and pencil illustrations.
Ivan Ninety in the process of drawing «White Flowers», autumn 2020.
The «White Flowers» mural.
Ivan Ninety in the process of drawing «White Flowers», autumn 2020.
The «White Flowers» mural.
Igor Safiullin was born in the city called Mytishchi, Moscow region. Since childhood, Igor's family instilled in him a love of plants. Now he is engaged in botany professionally. Igor graduated from the Mytischi Branch of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, where he now teaches on the Faculty of Forestry, Forest Harvesting, Wood Processing Technologies and Landscape Architecture. He was also involved in the project of the Zaryadye park in Moscow.
Igor Safiullin is telling the participants of the botanical event about the crocus, autumn 2020.
«White Flowers» botanical event is devoted to the doctors and patients, autumn 2020.
Igor Safiullin is telling the participants of the botanical event about the crocus, autumn 2020.
«White Flowers» botanical event is devoted to the doctors and patients, autumn 2020.
Address
GET EMAIL NEWSLETTERS REGARDING PROJECT NEWS AND EVENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS
© 2023 Street Art Research Institute
Made by Gonzo Design
Banking details
ООО «ТЕОРИЯ И ПРАКТИКА УЛИЧНОГО ИСКУССТВА»
ИНН: 7810474682
КПП: 784201001
ОГРН: 1167847291545
ОКПО: 03512611
ОКВЭД: 90.0 (Деятельность творческая, деятельность в области искусства и организации развлечений)
Расчетный счет: 40702810455160005262
Банк: СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНЫЙ БАНК ПАО СБЕРБАНК
БИК: 044030653
Корр. счет: 30101810500000000653
Юридический адрес: 191040, Санкт-Петербург г, Лиговский пр-кт, дом 50, литера Н, помещение 16-Н офис № 56
Телефон: 401-44-90
Генеральный директор: Фиева Полина Григорьевна