The photographs of Katerina Plotnikova are apparitions of fairytales. Female subjects are cradled by ghosts and smoke while narratives come through pops of color. The resulting composition is a dreamlike fashion editorial hinting at both the wistful and sinister. (via)
Retronaut recently posted a gallery of early Soviet-era Russian board game designs and illustrations. The images seem to be taken from a LiveJournal user by the name of babs71. You’ll find some seriously gorgeous propaganda here. The vintage illustrations depict workers young and old, soldiers bravely entering battle to defend the Motherland,and some nicely stylized industrial complexes. Find more hammer and sickle goodness after the jump.
Check out some amazing aerial shots of Iceland’s volcanic countryside from Russian photographer Andre Ermolaev. The intense heat from the volcanoes produces some really unique visuals. And Ermolaev’s bird’s eye view forces us to recall how majestic our planet really is. Not to get all preachy, but if we want to preserve visuals like these, we may have to alter our actions a little. (via)
“Found antique objects and miniature tintype photos form the emotional core of several works, juxtaposing the musty aura of a dusty attic with smooth, delicate ethereal forms, computer rendered yet exquisitely hand-crafted.”
Brooklyn via Russia artist Stanislav Ginzburg‘s Curiophyla is a series of staged photographs of original sculpture placed within specific, relevant mise en scène environs. The sculptures, beautiful references to cellular anatomy that incorporate emotionally charged vintage (and faux-vintage) tintype portraiture, take on a unique appeal when positioned amongst their ethereal settings. The overall aesthetic perfectly captures an elemental, organic feel (moss, insects, blood, etc.), while the photographic elements within the works offer a distinctly human connection. By reducing things to their most basic, cellular level, Ginzburg illustrates a deep connection between past and present. So beautiful.
So, according to her Flickr page, Alena Beljakova is only 19 years old. Wow. That’s a pretty young age for someone capable of producing photos like these. Impressive. There’s a mysterious, cinematic quality to the Saint Petersburg photographer’s work, and I wasn’t exactly surprised to find that she’s a ruski. There must be something about Russia’s cold winters and massive, partially barren landscape that lends itself to art that is in touch with the dark intangibles of the world. Definitely gonna keep an eye on this one. (via)
Together, artists Anton Abo and Ooli Mos make up Orka Collective. The like-minded, Eastern block natives draw inspiration from nature, animals, people, and magic in the creation of their predominantly black-and-white illustrations.
If our sins had a shape it would probably look quite similar to how Alexey Malina, a Russian designer/ digital artist, imagined them. Alexey created a series of abstractions based on the seven deadly sins. He explores each vice through geometrical shapes but without losing the probable syrupy movement they have. I especially enjoyed his interpretation of “wrath.”
Originally from Russia, Sasha Tugolukova moved to London to pursue a career in art and illustration. Certainly not one to shy away from mixed media, Tugolukova produces collage images of what seem to be cut-outs from fashion photography and melds them together to create a piece of style and grace all her own.
