PONTIUS PILATES NIGHTMARE





2007
DIMENSIONS: 140x100cm

Taking into account the Bible story of Pontius Pilate and his "deliberation" in deciding on the fate of another man, in this case of Jesus Christ, the God's son, I decided to base the concept of this work beyond the real, in the realm of dreams. In my opinion nightmare as such is one of worst punishments, an omnipresent chase, one that is impossible to escape to. In order to emphasize this subconscious, immaterial component, I have chosen a photograph as a medium to express my reasoning on Pilate's suffering. In this sense a photograph is a kind of a surrogate for the idea and the nature of a dream; they are extremely present, strong and concrete, but at the same time intangible and unreal, though strongly impacting our rational awareness.

The motive of the photograph is view of Pilate's worst pains. Pilate obviously suffered for the sin made by letting the people decide on Christ's fate. Failing to decide on his own and avoiding responsibility he committed the biggest sin towards himself. He wanted to wash his hands of the consequences of his choice, let the choice to the people and thereby finally blotted his consciousness. His nightmare is a paper bucket that does not hold water, and is even bottomless. It is empty inside, soiled with blood and hairballs, and tied up and caned from the outside. This is a bucket intended for Pilate, whose biggest wish is to wash his hands.