8 Questions with Yar - ORIGINAL issue
'I Consider my collages to be the visual puzzle, stories that may be continued and developed in the viewer's mind.'
Yar Kirsanov was born in 1984, collage artist, illustrator, and graphic designer from Russia. He creates in a variety of techniques, from analog collage to digital illustration, from motion collages to mixed media graphics. Yar's works are dreamlike and thought-provoking, he experiments with surreal figurative imagery, finding inspiration in southern gothic aesthetics, street culture, turn-of-the-century esoteric narratives, and psychedelia. The visual language of Yar's works is defined by combining different materials and textures, mostly in monochrome. Multi-layered, fragmented imagery of Yar's collages reflects the artist's vision of human reality.
He works with brands and professionals from all over the world. He is an active member of the Russian Collage community, participating in local and international collage initiatives.
Interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj
Headache, Digital Collage YAR©
What kind of education or training helped you develop your skillset?
Well, I have been drawing and painting since I was 3. My mother gave me a pencil and a huge pile of papers to calm me :) When I was at school, I attended painting classes and practiced various hand-made techniques: from engraving to collage. I was always fascinated by visual art and literature, but at the end of my school, I decided to enter the philological faculty to study the English language and literature. I believe, affected the imagery and motives of my works. In my university years, I also started learning computer programs to create visuals, and after my graduation, I started working as a graphic designer.
How did you start making art?
Honestly, only for the last three years have I regarded what I've been doing as art. Working in advertising for quite a long time made me feel deprived of my voice: I've started creating for my pleasure to express my feelings and vision of life. Collages and mixed media graphics became a powerful medium of inner and outer exploration. I am fond of mixing and reinterpreting ready-made imagery, which helped me identify my voice and aesthetics.
Your work "Headache" is among the original works published in the ORIGINAL issue, which experiments with surreal figurative imagery, finding inspiration in southern gothic aesthetics, narration, and psychedelia. When did that begin?
As a collage artist, I enjoy participating in international creative challenges, like Paris collage collective's in social media. The idea of such activities is to interpret the proposed visual material unusually, so it's a kind of artistic training. In one of these challenges, I found a splendid XIX-th century photo of some ancient Asian gateway. The image was so atmospheric, it had its own story and character, so I decided it should be used for my next thought-provoking collage. The architectural form of the sacred gateway reminded me of the inner path's symbolism. This work is about uneasy thoughts provoking introspection. Sharp, swift, chaotic as Calibri, these thoughts lead to the dark world of the Subconscious. This image initiates the dialog with the spectator, starting the visual story he/she may complement.
How do you discuss the aesthetic though manipulating reality and illusion? How do you successfully express this intention?
I love the idea that human culture is woven from eternal symbols, and our mind is the tower of ancient gods and heroes: this adds poetry to our existence. The strikingly powerful imagery lives inside us, so my task is to awaken it with my visual stories.
Puzzled, Mixed media 2019, YAR©
Silent Enigma, Digital Collage 2019, YAR©
Which editing software do you usually use? Are you experimenting with new technologies?
I mostly use Adobe Photoshop and Procreate. Sometimes I do analog things, then scan it and finish in Ps. I also love to animate my collages in After Effects to add another dimension to my works. I am a big fan of AR - I experimented with adding animated AR-layers to static collages. Spark AR is another exciting tool I tried. Neural networks are another technology with high creative potential: I wanted to use it in a couple of services to generate textures that inspired me to create new visuals. AI-generated graphics is an excellent source for visual artists.
How has the work "Kiss" evolved during the COVID-9 time?
Very intuitively, to be honest. The eternal Renaissance pair with protective masks and gloves signifies the power of human life and desire. I was amazed by how many people shared this work in social media posts, avatars, etc., some of them thanked me for visual support in direct messages. That's very encouraging that my art can help emotionally in some way.
Kiss, Digital Collage 2020, YAR©
How do you see the project evolving in the next five years?
I think I'll be more into musical and artistic projects, I'm also planning to develop as a tutor and independent art-director. Sharing knowledge and art is the way I should follow.
What are your biggest challenges as artists?
Persistency, not to give up creative activities when you are tired, uncertain, or upset. Fight with your inner impostor, for sure!
Tower, Digital Collage 2020, YAR©
