six % of separation
This exhibition explores the "six degrees of separation" theory, challenging not only the physical connections between people but also the exchange and evolution of ideas through interconnected networks. By attempting to define herself through the works of friends and fellow artists, Yelena engages in a form of collective self-portraiture, reflecting how individual identity is constructed through social and ideological relationships. The artists—Menah Marleen Wellen, Mary Amelia Molina, Fleur Ouwerkerk, Ikram El Messaoudi, Jasper Griepink, Kim de Haas, Piet Langeveld, Cathy de Haan, Stefan Lumpi Starke, and Christie Zwart—form a tapestry of ideas influenced by shared experiences and similar educational backgrounds. Yet, part of them have never met, brought together only through Yelena’s connective role as a mutual friend. From a feminist theoretical perspective, this project challenges traditional notions of authorship, self-expression, and autonomy by presenting identity as inherently relational. Rather than positioning herself as a solitary creator, Yelena’s approach dissolves the boundary between the individual and collective, embodying feminist critiques of the “isolated genius” archetype often celebrated in art history. The project also raises questions about the fluidity of influence and how ideas can travel, evolve, and be reshaped through communal contexts, a core theme in feminist theory that values collaborative, networked knowledge production over singular authority. By using her personal network to articulate her artistic self, Yelena’s project presents a radical portrait of the Artist, one that acknowledges the influence of community, gendered perspectives, and the social fabric of creativity itself. This collective expression reveals the spirit of her time, crafting an art that belongs to, and is shaped by, the interconnected web of voices and experiences around her.
