DAMIAN Mihai, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
The house, though forgotten, is not completely collapsed, but neither is it stable. It is caught in a moment of permanent instability, suggesting a slow, not sudden, abandonment. It is not a spectacular ruin, but a silent disintegration.
The block detached from the base can be read as a step that leads nowhere, or even a memory: something that was once part of the whole, but now stands separate, inert.
The sandstone, with its rough texture and oxidation stains, speaks of erosion and the passage of time. The house is not destroyed by a violent event, but by oblivion. The surrounding nature is alive, green, indifferent – life goes on without it.
On a metaphorical level, the work can be read as the image of an abandoned inner house: identity, childhood, beliefs or relationships that are no longer inhabited.
Finally, The Forgotten House is a melancholic work, but not dramatic. Rather resigned.
Explore the locations in Ungheni where sculptures representing the cultural heritage of the Middle Prut Valley are located. Click on the pins to discover the works of art.