1. Where were you born and where are you from ?

I was born in a small town in the central part of Russia. 10 years ago I moved to The Hague, The Netherlands where I now live and work

2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?

I grew up in a remote area, where art was a rarity. So my first experience with art would come from books and film. The first museum I visited was of a local artist who worked with stone and wood. He worked the big pieces of wood and stone into bodily images. It was a beautiful union of nature and human labor.

3. Have you always worked in the art/design field ?

I was lucky to set early on pursuing design, however, it did take me years before I could earn from design. I started my education in Interior Architecture at the age of 17 and later in the study, I chose to transition into furniture and object design. I realized that it was the building and the time that I spend making is what me satisfaction and meaning.

4. What led you to the design creation ?

Ever since childhood I was fascinated with objects and seeing how others live.

I find great interest in how things are made, the stories they convey, and the interweaving that exists between identity and objects we own. I find that objects help me to make sense of the physical world and to create the stories around experiences and project them through the material.

5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?

It is hard to verbalize the thinking process, but when I have an idea I need to start doing it immediately. The practical part of my work includes experiments with materials, construction, form, and techniques. I would say that my process is very visual. I usually make models, material tests, and collages to help start the project. My process includes physically building things as well as working in a digital environment with a help of 3d modeling and printing.

6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?

I try to choreograph the timing of the studio work in a way that I can do multiple tasks at once. It is the happiest days when I feel that have been juggled well, however, I find time spend in a studio not working is also very beneficial: to reflect, to find inspiration, to try things that are not a priority.

7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?

I like to work with materials that have their own specific character and the way it wants to behave. There is always an element of unexpected when working with wood, metal, or ceramics. Those materials teach you a lot about acceptance. At the same time, I find this uncontrollable aspect is what adds movement and life to the form. I usually choose materials that can have longevity and can age beautifully.

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

When making things, I am trying to balance rational and intuitive. It is the rational side that strikes for efficiency when it comes to producing pieces and choosing the techniques and material and the intuitive/emotional side comes into play when it is about the expression of the piece. Both I find to play an important role in creating a meaningful experience between people and objects.

9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?

Advice is tricky. Maybe don’t get affected by what anyone says it could be a wrong person at the wrong time. Be selective of who you accept your advice from.

10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?

I like exploring my personal notions so it would be difficult for me to subscribe my work to a particular movement. I can only view it gradually when it is being made. It might look different for the people viewing the work from the outside perspective.

11. What designers have influenced you ?

I like exploring my personal notions so it would be difficult for me to subscribe my work to a particular movement. I can only view it gradually when it is being made. It might look different for the people viewing the work from the outside perspective.

12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

Martin Szekely, Lin Cheung, Franchesca Torzo

13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?

Richard Serra, Maria van Kesteren, Kishio Suga, Yves de La Tour d’Auvergne

14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?

Dear things

Proust Questionnaire with very short answers (one or a few words) :
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust. Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde, Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)