The installation “Imperial Machine (2020)” features trapezoidal sheet steel as its dominant material, commonly used in industrial applications for its practicality and durability. The structure of the exhibition space resembles a diamond mine elevator, typical of the diamond mining industrial complexes in the former USSR.

At the heart of the installation is the film “Dark Matter (2020),” which explores the various aspects of diamond mining without explicitly commenting on the responsible authorities or their motivations. The film portrays the environmental impact of mining activities, particularly the encroachment on the landscape.

Within the exhibition, illuminated display cases showcase a collection of objects such as a pension book, a workbook, a bust of Stalin, and refrigerator magnets depicting Russian mining trucks. These objects symbolize the organizational structures that governed the Sakha Republic as a resource within the Soviet Union, hinting at the intersection of financial interests and political control mechanisms.

The exhibits in the display cases communicate the complexity of navigating the post-Soviet landscape, emphasizing the challenges of finding definitive answers. The installation prompts questions about historical truths and factuality, reflecting the layered nature of understanding the history of the Sakha Republic.

These objects and their significance in the Sakha Republic’s landscape are further explored in the book “Imperial Objects (2020),” which compiles personal stories, observations, and experiences related to the state-driven initiatives of Soviet power interests. Through this exploration, the aim is to shed light on the interplay between individual narratives and the broader socio-political context of the post-Soviet era.