Lara Zankoul’s “Symmetry” is a captivating exploration of duality and the cyclical nature of life. Through a stark black and white palette, Zankoul weaves a narrative that transcends the physical, delving into the symbolic and philosophical. Her photographs are not mere documents; they are meticulously crafted dreamscapes, inviting viewers to contemplate the mysteries of existence.
Zankoul’s use of black and white is deliberate. The absence of color forces us to confront the essence of her subjects. The stark contrast becomes a metaphor for the opposing forces that govern our lives – light and dark, joy and sorrow, creation and destruction. Yet, within this duality lies a sense of balance, a harmonious dance between these seemingly disparate elements.
The cyclical nature of life is another central theme in “Symmetry.” Zankoul’s photographs often depict recurring motifs, such as spirals and circles, which allude to the constant flow of time and the ever-turning wheel of fate. The viewer is left with a sense of impermanence, a reminder that everything is in a state of flux.
‘Symmetry’ is an aesthetically treated and symbolic representation of the cycles of being and becoming. Underlying the representation is a constant rappel to the Taoist philosophy of yin and yang and the cyclical nature of an esoteric duality. The interrelation and dynamics of the polar opposites are represented in seven parts as symbol of the fundamentally divine nature of the medium. While the visual focus is mostly Taoist, the series borrows religious, mythological, and esoteric symbols to represent the one wisdom underlying all knowledge. Symmetry, the name of the piece, is a constant theme in the series both in its colors, its gender, its gravitation around its centerpiece, and the placements of the objects in the photos.
Lara Zankoul
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