You create wearable art for theatres, photoshoots and contemporary choreographies with objects cut out from paper combined with unexpected materials. Would you tell us a bit about your aesthetic influences?
My aesthetic influence comes from the Dada movement and surrealism, especially from such artists as Dalí and Magritte. I’m also very fond of Japanese designers, the Comme des Garcons brand in particular.
Paper is a significant material you have been working with throughout your art career. What fascinates you about the material so much that you keep coming back to it?
I’m fascinated with its fragility and purity.
Can you give us an insight into your creative process: how do you go about designing and creating?
I normally make my designs right on the mannequin while having an idea what it will be in the end. I can say it’s a spontaneous process. Sometimes, I do some quick sketches before I start but it’s more about the mood.
You have worked on many exciting collaborations. We especially loved the project Magritte Revisited published in Contributor Mag. Can you tell us a bit about that?
This project is a devotion to one of my favourite artists. He influenced me a lot so I decided to integrate my paper cut-out objects into his world. I did all the pieces with my assistants, two students Anne Kromand Krogh and Marie Munk Hartwig, who came to me for an internship from Denmark. Photographer Lena Kholkina shot and made the collages with this series, using Magritte’s pictures.
Is there a collaboration or a project that you would love to see happen?
Yes, it’s my dream to present my designs in the Palais de Tokyo in Paris.
SWARM Mag currently focuses on animal and nature topics. What is your soulmate animal?
It’s birds and fish.
We cannot turn a blind eye to the tragic events happening right now. You have already made a public statement on your social media that you are against the actions of the Russian government. The last question: how do you think this horrific situation will influence your life and art career?
I’ve been living in Germany for just 20 days now. I moved here recently and, to be honest, I have no idea how my career will proceed here. I can say I’m concerned about it, I have some fears as it’s a completely different country and nobody knows me in the local art sphere. At the same time, I realise I have nothing to do in my country, Russia, after my statement as they’re shaming and censoring all who have similar opinions to mine.
