Flesh and Stone (2023)

Flesh and Stone is a photographic project that explores the environment of Soviet architectural heritage through somatic practices. The project poses key questions: how does architecture reflect the structures and norms of society? How does it shape bodily sensations and influence our sense of self within these frameworks? Can photography convey the subtle connections between body, space and social context?

After participating in several dance laboratories in urban spaces Jane Efremova began to explore these questions by documenting performative practices. By studying the locations and historical context of Soviet architectural heritage, she invited performers with diverse backgrounds to take part. The intermediate phase of the project included laboratories, individual sessions in different cities and a series of postcards with instructions for engaging with architecture.

Architecture does not exist on its own – it reflects the social order, the rules and the constraints of its time. The project became a personal form of expression and protest: through her photographs, the author captures feelings and bodily reactions shaped by the political and social context. New questions emerged: how does the body respond under restrictions, when speech is constrained? How can it sustain a connection to place?