Ethnography is a sociological science that studies the cultural, spiritual and ethnic characteristics of peoples. The representational and reflective side of science is combined with the artistic practices of contemporary art. The cooperation of the two spheres allows artists to expand the space for reasoning and criticism.

The sociological knowledge obtained through ethnographic research influenced the topics of discussion in the artistic searches of artists. For example, the avant-garde movement criticized the relationship of art with the market, the readymade raised questions of aesthetic experience, the post-impressionists pointed to the contradictions of sexual and gender norms. Critical remarks by artists corresponding to historical times were supported by sociologists.

Contemporary art also often turns to documentation and scientific texts as a tool to address social non-aesthetic topics: globalization, computerization, performativity, subjectivity and identity. Thus ethnography and art have common social points of interest.

On the other hand, works of art are an object of study and interpretation for ethnography, since certain elements of material culture and social meanings are embedded in the work of the author. Even the subjective and personal ideas of the artist, as well as the chosen form and artistic technique, are partly a collective activity and convey general ideas about the social and symbolic experience of a particular period or place.

Belarusian artist and ethnographer Maria Moroz is the founder and curator of the Past Perfect platform, which works to preserve and convey the true ethnic image of Belarus, especially Polesye. The project contains photographs and descriptions for them. In her works, the artist also explores the theme of the Belarusian ethnic group and the unification of cultural codes of different eras. The works are presented in various forms: installation, textiles, photography, graphics, small forms of decorative plastics.