On October 3, POPOP Gallery in Montreal will open Nikita Seleznev’s solo show, NORMA, marking the first presentation of his work in Canada. The project features a new installation combining sculptures, objects, mixed-media graphic works, and a video. The video is a collaboration between Seleznev and architect Grigory Baluev.

Seleznev’s projects unfold as thematic “microuniverses,” composed of works across various media that are unified by a distinctive visual language. NORMA is one such universe, exploring the meaning of normality in a world on the edge of catastrophe. At the center of the installation is a video that combines digital animation with brief documentary footage from everyday life. The video’s dynamic hinges on the juxtaposition of life and death. Its symbols and imagery extend beyond the screen, materializing as sculptures, objects, and graphic works on concrete, blurring the boundary between the viewer and the video.

Materiality is central to Seleznev’s practice, with his deliberate use of industrial materials—plastics, raw metal, and especially concrete—playing a crucial role. In NORMA, the artist transforms the exhibition space with objects that evoke urban ruins, while cracked concrete serves as the foundation for large-scale graphic works resembling faded frescoes. In this way, Seleznev aligns himself with artists who regard concrete as a testament to the many tragedies and wars of the 20th century.