Tolstikov's work centers on the enduring interplay between fragility and resilience, drawing attention to the vulnerability inherent in both human life and the natural environment, while simultaneously highlighting the capacity for survival and recovery, creating a dialogue around power, resistance, and coexistence. The exhibition engages profoundly with our lived experiences of time and memory, reflecting on the cyclical nature of history and the recurrence of events. Through his lens, Tolstikov addresses pressing political and social issues. His practice critically examines authoritarian regimes, their mechanisms of control, the enduring impact on societies, and the lasting effects on local landscapes. Among the many thoughts it evoked was an image of looking up from the bottom of a grave, a perspective that became a source of deeper contemplation on the perpetual political turmoil in the world and the tragic consequences of war in Ukraine. Ultimately, this image marked the beginning of an entire series of works centered around recurring question: “Who defines the shape of your sky?”