Hello Ekaterina! Thank you for making time for the interview and we are happy to welcome you at HAZE Gallery. Please tell us about yourself. How did you get into photography?
I became immersed in photography even as a child. The first time I took up the camera was when my mother asked me to photograph her in the forest in winter. I was about 5 years old at the time. Later, at university, I learned that my grandfather was a photographer, too. As a teenager, I shot a little on a simplest cheap film camera that everyone had then, and studied Painting at an art school.
Do you think that professional education is important for photographers or you rather believe it’s more about the inner talent and intuition?
I believe in the power of professional education for photographers. A person might be talented, but one can hardly fully realize their talent without basic education. Knowing how to press the button isn’t enough, you also need to have an understanding of art history, contemporary art scene, fashion, and so many things. You need to be aware of the social agenda and have some idea of what is happening in the world. The reality around us is changing too quickly, faster than many of us would like it to change, last year has dramatically proven that.
Can you tell us about the process of making art? What is your daily work routine?
I consider observation to be the most important part of my work. Every day I consume a lot of visual information, e.g. on Instagram I subscribe to photographers and magazines that inspire me and to whom I look up to a little. It’s crucial for me to surround myself with a variety of visuals, for instance, I have a reproduction of Bosch's "Garden of Earthly Delights" over the desk.
I love kitsch, provocation, indeed, some tasteful ones, for that reason I prefer drawing information from different sources. I also value communication with colleagues, informal meetings somewhere at a nice place, which don’t only help me step back from work, but also give inspiration and new ideas in a very relaxed way. And coffee, of course. Without coffee, I would function much worse.
What would you define as beauty?
I find quite a few things beautiful. My concept of beauty and harmony is very broad. I try to celebrate the aesthetics in everything I see, it helps a lot in my work. For me, a beautiful person is the one who feels confident, loves and accepts oneself. In my view, it’s individuality and affection for every living thing in the world where beauty is. My beauty standards often differ from those accepted generally. I consider any person, any body beautiful just because of their self-value and distinctiveness. While shooting, I often admire and fall in love with my models. For me, love and acceptance are the most important aspects of art in the modern world.
Choosing a Muse is central to your artistic process. Please tell us how that happens.
My muses are those who I’m on the same wavelength with. With them, I feel easy, nice, they support my ideas and are ready to join me in everything I suggest. I am attracted to people with a great personality, in whose presence you can relax and just be yourself and join the creative collaboration. I am sure such creative unions have more vitality and power than individuals do.
Your style stands out with flamboyance and provocativeness. What photographers are you inspired by?
I enjoy shooting in a provocative manner, so that looking at the images, one will think, "Oh my God, what is it and why is it here?”. I love attracting attention with the things I do. I find it important to talk about the topics relevant to me and the society I live in. Regarding my masterminds in photography, I would name Pierre et Gilles, Mario Testino, Ellen von Unwerth, Jurgen Teller, and a few others. I am also inspired by contemporary art and artists like Maurizio Cattellan and Damien Hirst.
Do you have any bold ideas you would like to implement, but you still don't know how? If so, please provide an example.
Yes, I have some pretty bold ideas that require a complex organization. For example, since last year I’ve thought of a project that might involve about 20 people, including the entire film crew. Last year I didn’t have enough internal and external resources for such an organization, perhaps I will manage to do that this year. Sometimes I just lack time for pursuing endeavors, so I wish there would be more hours in a day. Usually, the projects I create get me carried away. Some ideas take a long time to mature, but in the end everything turns out even better than I expected.
How has the pandemic affected your creative process in terms of goal setting? Do you have periods of burnout and how do you struggle with them?
The pandemic has given me a long-awaited break from my daily routine. Before the coronavirus situation, early last year I experienced a professional and an emotional burnout. I felt like I was just marking time and did not understand what to do next. The pandemic gave me an opportunity to take a break from work, focus on myself and my artistic practice, try something new without fearing to be judged or losing my job. In fact, everyone was left without work for an indefinite time. I had big plans for the past year with almost all of them having failed to stand the test of reality. By contrast, I made a leap in my artistic development: I started applying to competitions and art galleries open calls, which I never even thought of before. Well, 2020 turned everything upside down, but gave me a powerful impetus and an understanding of where to go next.
What are your artistic plans and current projects you are working on? Tell us, please, about your future collaboration with HAZE Gallery.
For a long time, I've wanted to collaborate with HAZE Gallery. The start of our cooperation is a sign for me that I am going in the right direction. In the future, I would like to take part more frequently in exhibitions and have more publications. I have something to share with this world, why not do that.
Who would you most like to collaborate with and why?
I have two dreams: working with major publications like Vogue and brands like Gucci and Balenciaga. I love their modern vision of beauty and the fact that they celebrate diversity and foster creative expression. I would also like to sell my works in galleries and at contemporary art auctions in the future. Therefore, I am interested in collaborating with magazine editors, exhibition curators, and auction house owners. Then, I will definitely be able to conquer the world!
Instagram Ekaterina Kozlova @asynion_photo