Grounding — Jelena Prljević

People from our countryside never liked the change

Charcoal, graphite, projected light and hand drawn animation on paper

60 x 60 inches / 152 x 152 cm

People from our countryside never liked the change the animated light is projected onto the drawing. As the light descends on different aspects of the drawing the hand

drawn animation appears bringing the stillness to life.

Grounding, 2018

Series of drawings and animations on paper

"The water was our path. Its redness our protection and a blessing from the Gods.

Our checks, too, became red. The warmth was a sign that we were still not dead.

We looked healthy like the apples resting on the ground.

We hoped the rain would never stop. Way back then we were not afraid.

Now I see the red sky every day. But my restlessness chased away the rain.

The apple tree still recalls our dance. In my dreams its branches cry and curse the day we went away.

I asked my mother if the pond was still there. She was confused.

Of course, it drained."

Jelena Prljević, Redness (excerpt from short story )

Grounding is a series of drawings inspired by the writings I did during my time in the US. Experiencing transition as a feeling of entrapment and constant battle between the known

and the unknown.