It was a political flirtation with young people that created an illusion of creative freedom. The sculpture was made of forged copper. It was quite large, more than two meters in height. It stood out with its unexpected configuration, the interaction between the bird and the running figure, the free arrangement of elements in space, and, of course, the drapery at the top that began to become a signature trait of mine. The sculpture was strongly criticized by the censors for its rejection of realism in the depiction of the human body and its arbitrary use of shapes. Only after a struggle and a scandal was it allowed to be displayed. I was paid for the sculpture, and later, it became the property of the Ministry of Culture.

Its location was initially kept secret from me. Only later did I learn that, without my knowledge, it had been taken to an exhibition in Munich and then destroyed. This was the fate of my first romantic artwork. It was one of my most cherished works, and I tried to restore it for myself. Unfortunately, the second version was also cruelly destroyed during the exhibition of the Moscow Union of Artists in Perovo. The courtyard of my studio is now decorated with a third version made in bronze.