Untitled 2013

Untitled, 2013 addressed and ignited dormant historical and social tensions in public space. The work consisted of a construction fence surrounding a landmark space in the centre of Sofia, scaffolding and signs and billboards, all suggesting impeding construction works. The terrain used to be the place of the Mausoleum of the communist leader Georgi Dimitrov, which was destroyed in the 1999.  In the following decades the authorities tried unsuccessfully to find a new purpose for the lot, provoking endless public discussions on the subject. Playing with this context, the installation of Ivan Moudov announced a municipal project for a new building on the premises. The supposed building replicated the design of the mausoleum, but in the kitsch style of the nouveau riche era, with opulent marble, dark glass and polished bronze elements. The fake announcement provoked a strong public outcry. Several years later the municipality dedicated the terrain to a public art program.