Liturgie des chiens errants

This artwork blends elements of post-Soviet surrealism, neo-constructivist collage, and magical realism to create a haunting yet nostalgic depiction of a world in transition. Through a combination of digital collage and textural manipulation, it juxtaposes Soviet-era architecture with rural and religious elements, evoking a tension between past and present, tradition and decay. The composition is inspired by documentary photography, particularly the works of Boris Mikhailov, while also drawing from the photomontage aesthetics of Russian constructivists like El Lissitzky. The grainy textures and muted, earthy tones give the image a vintage, almost deteriorated quality, reminiscent of aged Soviet photographs or faded memories. At the heart of the scene, a small wooden Orthodox church stands incongruously against the backdrop of brutalist apartment buildings, reinforcing a sense of displacement. Meanwhile, people gathered at outdoor tables engage in a communal yet strangely distant moment, as if frozen in time. In the background, stray dogs roam, and a vendor prepares food, suggesting remnants of a vanished social order. This piece seeks to explore themes of collective memory, cultural displacement, and survival in the post-Soviet landscape, capturing both the harshness and the quiet poetry of a world caught between eras. The approach merges realism and dreamlike distortion, allowing the viewer to navigate the space between documentation and imagination.