Artwork
Military Therapy Troops
Military Therapy Troops is a print by Olga Florenskaya. It dates from 2002 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
" It’s a print, not a painting, and it comes from a bigger project that mixed up real and fake military objects.
This print is part of Olga Florenskaya’s 2002 series called "Russian Trophy." It’s a print, not a painting, and it comes from a bigger project that mixed up real and fake military objects.
The series pokes fun at old Russian ideas about enemies and safety. It uses silly flags to stand in for countries like Britain, France, and Japan.
Check out another print from the same series by searching Florenskaya, Olga.
Overview
Military Therapy Troops is a print from Olga Florenskaya's 2002 series 'Russian Trophy', a multi-disciplinary project that critiques Russia's historical fortress mentality and xenophobia through satirical military artifacts.
Subject & Meaning
The print represents a fictional military unit, 'Military Therapy Troops', symbolizing the project's broader theme of mocking perceived enemies and the paranoia of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union. Real nations like Britain, France, and Japan are alluded to through disguised flags, while absurd units like 'Subaquatic Swimming Troops' further emphasize the satire.
Technique & Style
As a print, 'Military Therapy Troops' contributes to the project's eclectic mix of mediums, including sculptures, banners, and films, all characterized by the use of found objects and humorous, fanciful designs.
History & Provenance
Created in 2002 by Olga Florenskaya as part of 'Russian Trophy', the print is housed in a wooden box resembling a military crate, complete with a stencilled title and wingnut-fastened lid, enhancing its thematic presentation as a 'captured' trophy.
Context
The work reflects early 2000s artistic critiques of nationalism and historical political ideologies, using satire to engage with Russia's complex geopolitical past and its implications on national identity.
Legacy
'Military Therapy Troops' and the 'Russian Trophy' series contribute to a body of contemporary art that employs irony and fictional historical artifacts to comment on geopolitical tensions and the construction of enemy narratives.
Artist & collection
Artist
Olga Florenskaya’s prints from 2002 turn Cold War fears into bold, graphic shapes.
