Kristina
Valenkova

Kristina Valenkova was born in Kerch, Ukraine in 1990. Lives and works in Barcelona, Spain.

Her primary focus of observation is nature within the context of our historical time. Kristina examines it through the lens of the anthropogenic flora and fauna of cities, addressing the economic, political, and cultural past and present of a place and her own experience of migration. In her work, artist interacts with animals, plants, and the natural environment. Kristina views them as an integral part of the history and life of the landscape. Through observation and joint presence, she reveals these natural elements as data carriers.

Most of Kristina’s projects are based on finding evidence of past events and rethinking her personality in their light. She uses a variety of observation methods, such as video recording, color analysis, personal participation in the form of walks and keeping diaries. This allows to collect information and analyze it, creating a holistic picture. Thus, the familiar natural landscape becomes an information carrier in which visual ordinariness comes into discord with the idea of testimony.

Alongside video and photography, I also use 3D modeling, making casts, and digital scanning as forms of documentation. When choosing materials, I pay special attention to their potential as samples or prototypes, which serve as memory storage units that allow me to reconstruct what has been lost.