Хресне
installation, 2013
A Composition of Symbolic Depth: The Cross Within the Egg
The composition, cast in plaster and standing 30 centimeters tall, takes the form of an egg. Yet, this egg appears as though it has been sliced into four segments, displaced from their natural alignment but firmly held together. Together, they form the shape of a primordial cross—a symbol of life. The vertical axis represents the masculine, paternal essence, while the horizontal axis embodies the feminine, maternal principle. Their union generates a third force: the filial, completing the sacred cross.
The cross itself carries layers of meaning—representing the Sun, celestial fire, light, an altar, and the symbol of power. It is one of humanity's oldest sacred symbols, traced back to the Paleolithic era, and its presence runs throughout human history.
Why the image of an egg? Across cultures, the egg symbolizes the genesis of the Universe and the beginning of creation. In Ukraine, there exists an ancient tradition, rich with meaning and symbolism, of painting eggs on Holy Thursday before Easter. These eggs, exchanged as gifts and preserved as powerful talismans, are materialized prayers of protection.
The ornament chosen by the artist to adorn this dynamic egg is deeply ancient and brimming with symbolism. At its core is the cross, encased by a triangle and an eight-pointed star. The eight-pointed star arises from the layering of the straight cross (symbolizing the masculine principle and the Sun) and the diagonal cross (representing the feminine principle and the Moon). This union of principles undeniably generates life itself, making the star a profound emblem of Nature itself.
The composition, cast in plaster and standing 30 centimeters tall, takes the form of an egg. Yet, this egg appears as though it has been sliced into four segments, displaced from their natural alignment but firmly held together. Together, they form the shape of a primordial cross—a symbol of life. The vertical axis represents the masculine, paternal essence, while the horizontal axis embodies the feminine, maternal principle. Their union generates a third force: the filial, completing the sacred cross.
The cross itself carries layers of meaning—representing the Sun, celestial fire, light, an altar, and the symbol of power. It is one of humanity's oldest sacred symbols, traced back to the Paleolithic era, and its presence runs throughout human history.
Why the image of an egg? Across cultures, the egg symbolizes the genesis of the Universe and the beginning of creation. In Ukraine, there exists an ancient tradition, rich with meaning and symbolism, of painting eggs on Holy Thursday before Easter. These eggs, exchanged as gifts and preserved as powerful talismans, are materialized prayers of protection.
The ornament chosen by the artist to adorn this dynamic egg is deeply ancient and brimming with symbolism. At its core is the cross, encased by a triangle and an eight-pointed star. The eight-pointed star arises from the layering of the straight cross (symbolizing the masculine principle and the Sun) and the diagonal cross (representing the feminine principle and the Moon). This union of principles undeniably generates life itself, making the star a profound emblem of Nature itself.