This video installation centers on two child figures, shown with their backs to the viewer, whose subtle breathing movements affirm the presence of life while simultaneously creating an unsettling atmosphere. The artist juxtaposes symbols of violence and authority—such as the bulletproof vest, the uniform, the raised right hand, and the rigid posture—with the imagery of children. This dissonant combination provokes conflicting emotions in the viewer. Their posture, turned away from the audience, further intensifies a sense of distance and estrangement. The viewer cannot meet their gaze, cannot establish a direct emotional connection, but can only observe their backs and the symbols imposed upon them.
The delicate act of breathing serves as both evidence of life and a sign of fragility. It reminds us that the figures on screen are not cold, inert images but corporeal presences, seemingly vulnerable to harm at any moment. It is precisely within these minimal yet persistent movements that the viewer becomes aware of an unspoken tension: the fragile balance between life and violence.
By placing children alongside violent imagery, the work reveals how institutions penetrate the youngest and most innocent groups—shaping and disciplining bodies through education, uniforms, laws, or symbolic violence. It not only underscores the passive position of children within social constructs but also recalls broader mechanisms of control that regulate freedom and identity in contemporary society.
Thus, this piece is not merely a visual provocation, but a critical allegory. It compels the viewer to confront a pressing question: in the society we inhabit, does innocence truly exist, or has it already been overshadowed by the pervasive symbols of violence and power?
