Project by Alexandru Raevschi and Hidemi Nishida

A deep critical analysis of reality reveals surprising circumstances rooted in our ancestral history. During a discussion on trauma and armed conflict, we discovered that in 1941–1942, our grandfathers faced each other on the Sakhalin front. Both were responsible for communications, existing as potential enemies “observer and observed” separated only by trenches and ideological bias.

Decades later, their descendants have transformed into a creative tandem, shifting responsibility from military signaling to social communication.

Through the video installation “Sakhalin”, we replace aggressive impulses with artistic reflection.

By identifying with our grandfathers, we explore how the act of observation itself impacts the subject, questioning whether the presence of an observer inherently alters communication and creates a lasting, stressful legacy within daily life.

The project was implemented as a two-channel video installation.

2016

“Panorama of the past or how to survive yesterday’s tomorrow”, “Universe 69” (2nd phase), at the Gallery “co-ume lab” Tokyo (JP)

2014

“The indifference map”, Gallery “apARTe”, Iasi (RO)