Elena Vasilieva
Elena Vasilieva is one of the most interesting newcomers of the Post-Soviet art scene. Her nude photos tell about longing, anxiousness, mourning, loneliness, pain and torment. After her study at the Kharkovski College of Design, Elena discovered the world of photography. She did not have a chance to work in the field of design as she completely dedicated herself to art of photography which has become her life's trade.
Photography enables me to show my mood and style to the world. In my work I try to show the mood and the emotion of woman's sexuality. Everything I show in my photos I experience together with my models. To discover new subjects and show them in my work is one of my great interests. I understand that not everyone can fathom the tension and feelings that I try to show through my photos and, thus, I do not care for the opinions of the critics who can misinterpret my work. Most of the time I choose dark tones for my photos - they are much closer to me than colorful sets.
In the closing, I would like to share with you my view: "Talent is a God-given gift and success is something else. Talent and success are not necessarily connected with each other" » - Elena Vasilieva
Scarlet James inteviews Elena Vasilieva
GLIMPSING AN INSIGHT INTO THE WORLD AND WORK OF
ELENA VASILIEVA Elena Vasilieva is one of the most interesting newcomers of the Post-Soviet art scene.
Her nude photographs tell about longing, anxiousness, mourning, loneliness, pain and torment. As my Russian does not even have a starting point it was with a tinge of trepidation that I began our `conversation`. We had to go through two translators and it took a little more time than usual and unfortunately I didn`t learn as much about Elena as I would have liked. But I certainly got an insight into her work and it opened my eyes to an exciting professional young woman whose journey is just beginning.
I began by, hopefully, saying `Hello`Hi Elena, nice to meet you.
What is so striking about your body of nude work is its strength. The images are exceptionally powerful, full of tension and energy. And I am deeply impressed with your ideas, vision and technical abilities. The models are remarkably beautiful; their poses look staged; theatrical dynamic and confidently exposed which I presume was your intention.
I would like to know; Why naked; Why women?Elena:
All my life I have enjoyed looking at paintings, sculptures and photographs made by Old Masters who worked in the genre of Nude Art. I had a desire to take a camera in my hands right after I visited the exhibition of Helmut Newton.
I photograph only Nude Art. I believe it is the most challenging and interesting genre, not only in the field of photography.
Why do I photograph women?
I would like to use men in my work, but as yet I have not found a male model who will completely fit in with my scenarios. Maybe in the future.Scarlet:
Did you have an Art background at all before you discovered your talent as a photographer?
Elena: I did study at the Kharkovski College of Design but once I found a passion for photography that is the path I took. And from the moment I had a camera in my hand I have always tried to shoot in a unique way. All my photographs go through my heart and it is very pleasant when someone likes what I am doing. I am completely absorbed by creativityScarlet : Yes I can see that and that is why you are successful. Your projects look well planned and set up, are they? Or are you more spontaneous and let the magic begin?
Elena: It often happens that I come up with the scenes and setups beforehand, sometimes I record my thoughts and ideas so as not to forget them and at other times the scene is created spontaneously, which often leads to a good shoot as well.
Scarlet: I image by your staging, your models and lighting you must have use of a studio?
Elena: Yes I do. I used to have one outside of my house but currently my studio is in the place where I live.
Scarlet: How wonderful and very convenient and obviously gives you a lot of scope to create and put your fantasies and concepts into reality. Apart from having beautiful women to model for you, your backgrounds and props, in particular the lighting is an important part of the photograph and certainly enhances the intensity of the subject and feel of the overall effect. What sort of lighting do you use and how long does a set take to shoot? Do you ever shoot at night?
Elena: I realized right away that is was impossible for me to use special technical schemes and textbook lighting layouts. Everything has to be original from the start. I really like incandescent lighting and am trying to create the combination of impulsive and incandescent. No I don`t like to photograph at night, I work only during the day and evening . I sometimes use a bit of sunlight in my photos and that produces some interesting effects. The performance of the scene is conducted in a free, relaxed atmosphere and I shoot one subject in two or three settings.
Scarlet: I can see you put a lot of thought and physical work into your productions, do you use music to add, help the ambiance and what is your favourite?
Elena: Yes I do listen to music during the photo shoots. I very much love music. My favourite performers are: U2, David Coverdale, Diana King, Joe Satriani, Gary Moore, De Phazz and Nick Cave. I also enjoy classical music, opera and music of other genres.
Scarlet: You have become established, successful and produced a strong Body of Work, Elena, what do you envision for your career and for your well being in the future? What would be your biggest, wildest and best `Dream Come True`?Elena: My Career. I am not too worried about it, As I see it, if anything good has to come to be, it will. I think I am somewhat a believer in fate. What is my dream? Perhaps I have two dreams rather than one. If it is only concerning my photography then I would certainly wish that as many people as possible would see my work. My biggest dream is to shoot a large series of photographs and photograph in a way that would be different from anything that has been photographed in the 150 year history of photography. I would then publish them in a photographic book. Currently I am using my strength to make this dream a reality.
Scarlet: That is certainly a grand vision and I wish you well and very much look forward to not only one, but many books of your work.
Thank you very much for sharing your time and thoughts with me, hope not too much was Lost in Translation.
Good Luck and Elena.scarlet
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