Eternal in the Universe, 2024. Copper, granite. Almaty
Rustam Shamakhunov
The work is based on a complex spatial composition in which natural, organic and structural elements merge into a single symbolic organism. The combination of copper and granite creates a striking contrast between the plastic mobility of the metal and the stable monumentality of the stone base, giving the work a sense of both growth and rootedness.The composition develops along a vertical axis: the massive granite volume acts as a kind of archetypal foundation from which the upper sculptural structure gradually ‘sprouts’. In the upper section, a multi-layered cluster of branching elements forms, reminiscent of roots, branches or biomorphic formations. Among these, zoomorphic associations emerge, reinforcing the sense of a living, almost natural element. The central thematic focus is the image of a nest with eggs and a symbolic figure, introducing the theme of birth, the fragility of life and the continuity of the natural cycle.The work’s plastic structure is based on the interplay of opposing states. The lower part is perceived as a dense, closed mass, whilst the upper part is characterised by openwork, linear branching and internal dynamics. This creates a tension between stability and change, between static form and the process of development. The sculpture seems to capture the moment of matter’s transition from a state of rest to a state of organic growth.The textural quality of the materials lends the work a particular expressiveness. The rough surface of the granite retains a sense of natural rawness, whilst the copper ranges from dense, almost corroded fragments to delicate linear elements reminiscent of living tissue or a vascular system. Light, interacting with these surfaces, intensifies the impression of continuous internal movement and transforms the object into a visually fluid structure.The work’s conceptual space is linked to the category of eternity, already indicated in the title itself. The image of the nest and the egg functions as a universal symbol of birth and the continuity of existence, whilst the surrounding forms can be perceived as a metaphor for natural, cosmic or temporal processes. The artist constructs a vision of the world as a single living organism, in which creation and destruction are in constant interaction and interdependence.