Oistrakh, Prokofiev & Stradivari

My explorations into the work David Oistrakh, Sergei Prokofiev and Antonio Stradivari have been coupled with a desire to keep rethinking political articulation. Stradivari’s violin provided me with a symbol of the ultimate instrument and therefore a means of perfect communication. A Stradivarius is an instrument that is, in equal parts, fantasy and reality. While it is still arguably regarded as the highest mark of quality in violins, there are no conclusive scientific findings concerning why it is better. It is into this gap that a good deal of so many desires is projected.
Violinist David Oistrakh and composer Sergei Prokofiev have allowed me to explore what it means for some one to represent more than just themselves. Both musicians experienced the extremes of this position while actively choosing to represent the Soviet Union and, at the same time, suffering under its repressions.