Shameless Ashes by Maria Nalbantova, 2024 is part of the exhibition "Shame and Guilt", curated by Galina Dimitrova-Dimova at Vaska Emanuilova Gallery.

Installation with charred wood pieces, a burnt metal door from a bird-watching tower, and a drawing made with charred wood collected in 2024 from the Dragoman Marsh. In 2020, a fire broke out there, destroying 80% of the marsh's vegetation and part of the visitor infrastructure. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

"Shameless Ashes" discusses the theme of arson as a form of “clearing” terrain or ending certain relationships. Often, the motives for such “incidents” include investment goals or the settlement of financial or personal matters. The work examines those aspects of human behaviour in which social and political realities are defined by a lack of shame, remorse, or guilt. Various “fiery” conflicts are ignited here, which destroy both material and immaterial values. Acts of arson against public buildings or cultural monuments, forest fires and the burning of fields, as well as vehicles, are part of this destructive pattern of action.

See some photos from the ongoing exhibiton here:

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