My fascination with mazes began in childhood, inspired by the ancient Roman and medieval ruins of Vaison-la-Romaine. This small town in the south of France, steeped in history, nurtured my early curiosity about labyrinths, from Roman mosaics depicting mythological scenes of Theseus and the Minotaur to the imagined pathways of ancient temples and castles. Although no labyrinth mosaics were discovered in Vaison, the town’s atmosphere, combined with mythologies taught in school, shaped my understanding of mazes as more than just physical structures—they became symbols of exploration, mystery, and self-discovery.
As my artistic journey evolved, I began to see mazes as a way to address themes that go beyond their traditional associations with mythology. This led me to examine how labyrinths can embody more modern ideas—control, surveillance, and the dynamics of urban life—especially through the lens of science fiction and cyberpunk aesthetics. My Derelict/Black series grew from these ideas, imagining sprawling, dystopian mazes built from decaying metropolises. These mazes, envisioned from a bird’s-eye view, depict a future where forgotten societies wander through ruins of civilization, oblivious to the grandeur that once existed. They symbolize a world lost to its own progress, a commentary on societal decay and the fragile memory of human achievement.
This brings me to Kura Curiosa. A few pieces from Derelict/Black remained unsold, and I’ve stored those last works, waiting for a new purpose or a new occasion to show them. Given their resemblance to mysterious maps, I’m now considering integrating them into Kura Curiosa as specimens—maps from an unknown time and place. I plan to unmount the canvases, stretch them into multi-unit Vexels, and perhaps add intentional wear along the edges to enhance their appearance as aged relics.
Originally, the Derelict/Black series was a representation of a far future, but within the context of Kura Curiosa, these works undergo a contextual transformation. They are reinterpreted as relics from a distant past. It’s fascinating how shifting the narrative context can redefine meaning entirely, inviting viewers to uncover their own interpretations within this evolving maze of history, myth, and imagination.
