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Interview with artist | Astrid Fuchslocher

By /INTERVIEW, /NEWS/

Text by Irina Rusinovich

Interview with Astrid Fuchslocher

In this interview, we get into the multifaceted world of Astrid Fuchslocher H., a Chilean-Italian artist and cultural manager whose career bridges the worlds of art and academia across continents. Born in Santiago, Chile, and currently residing in Italy, Astrid combines a rich artistic practice with extensive curatorial and cultural management experience. With a degree in Art from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and a Master of Science in Modern and Contemporary Art: History, Curating & Criticism from the University of Edinburgh, Astrid has established herself as a dynamic force in both the Latin American and European art scenes.

Having worked in cultural institutions such as the Chilean-British Institute of Culture, the FAVA Foundation, and as a consultant at the Open Art House Cultural Association, Astrid’s contributions to the field reflect a unique perspective that blends her Chilean roots with a contemporary European outlook. Her work as a curator includes exhibitions with notable figures such as Pablo León de la Barra, and her own visual art has been featured in solo and collective exhibitions in Chile, Italy, and France. Here, we explore Astrid’s journey, her views on cultural exchange, and her role in fostering artistic dialogue in an increasingly interconnected world.

What drew you to the specific medium you work with?

I was attracted by its ability to communicate, to transport us to another scenario or reality and its suitability for creating a real imaginary. In parallel, I like the fact that it is a 100% handmade technique and an artisanal process. Above all, a simple but at the same time complex, spontaneous, unpretentious and in my case also therapeutic task.

What are the biggest challenges and rewards of creating art in your chosen medium?

One of the challenges is that there are many exponents and that makes it difficult to stand out and/or create something original. I am referring to people who dedicate themselves to collage – analogue or digital – professionally or as a hobby. This added to the fact that it is a technique that is excluded from classical art and is sometimes considered ‘second class’. Consequently, and looking on the bright side, the fact that collage is currently such a massive medium means that there is an important community both physically and virtually around it, as well as various instances where this method is the protagonist.

Astrid Fuchslocher H

Can you tell us about a particular piece that holds special meaning to you and why?

It is difficult to think of just one work as a ‘favourite’ since each of my works has a theme, process and meaning that identifies or mobilises me. Considering this, if I had to choose just one work it could be ‘Between Life and Death’, as it is a work that begins this new stage of my work as a visual artist – after leaving practical art for almost 8 years – and that also gives rise to a more consequent, consistent and thorough line of work in terms of concept, aesthetics and technique.

How do you envision your art influencing or impacting the world?

I would like to imagine that my art transports and allows a journey to a new aesthetic, historical and ideological context. In a route that also promotes reflection from an artistic and philosophical perspective, with the aspiration of encouraging questions and exposing various problems that manage to shake the viewer and ultimately transform our society.

Astrid Fuchslocher H

What artists, past or present, inspire your work?

There are many artists who inspire and/or move me beyond the direct influence they exert on my work. With this in mind, and in a general way, I could name Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Olafur Eliasson, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Claude Monet, William Turner, among others. This question is difficult because there are artists who inspire me for their technique and results, others for their ideals and way of approaching art and others for being avant-garde and for their contribution to visual art.

Is there a specific social or political issue you feel compelled to address through your art?

I tend to think that there is nothing that I feel ‘obliged’ to address in my work, but I do believe that it is important for contemporary artists to reflect on and propose a discussion around issues, social phenomena and/or issues that afflict us as a society. This belief also extrapolates to topics that personally interest me such as historical evolution, feminism, social change, the passage of time and human life in general.

Astrid Fuchslocher H

What are your hopes for the future of your art?

My wish is that the people who contemplate it will be touched on a deep level, that it will produce debates on various issues and hopefully give them the possibility of delving into the complexity of our reality. From another angle, and on a practical and personal level, I would like my art to be a contribution to the discipline, to be recognized within its technique and to be consolidated in an international market in order to have greater visibility and impact.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

My advice would be for them to be tireless workers, to continue learning, improving themselves and questioning the statement of their work. Additionally, I would suggest that they acquire self-management tools and be resilient when facing and entering the world of art. Lastly, and most importantly, I would suggest that they make art that makes sense to them, that is honest, and that they enjoy the gift and privilege of being an artist.

 

Information about the artist

Astrid Fuchslocher H.

https://afhcollage.com/

@afh_collage

 

Frances Rou | KARLA

By /FASHION/, /NEWS/

KARLA

Photographer, Frances Rou @frances.rou
Styling, Vanessa López @vanecl.     y Michelle Ortiz @michortizand
Make-Up and Hair, Eva Trinidad @anaevamakeup
Model, Karla Espíritu represented by WB Management Group @karlaespiritu @wb.mgmt
Video Director and Photo Assistant, Jeremy Vargas @jeremyinraw
Production, Step On Fashion @steponfashion
Production Palazzo Studio @palazzo.studio

left : Bodysuit, Mugler via Farfetch @muglerofficial @farfetch Pants, Alersundi @alersundi Skirt wear as a cape, Vero Díaz @verodiazmx Gloves, Alfredo Martínez @alfredomartinez_brand right: Dress, Mariandrée Gaitán @mariandreegaitan Earrings, Elisheva & Constance @elisheva.and.constance

left Top, Paris Rodríguez @parisrodriguezbrand right Top wear as a dress , Paris Rodríguez @parisrodriguezbrand

Bikini, ilora @iloraofficial Skirt, Vivienne Westwood via Farfetch @viviennewestwood @farfetch Pumps, Alfredo Martínez @alfredomartinez_brand

Bikini, ilora @iloraofficial Skirt, Vivienne Westwood via Farfetch @viviennewestwood @farfetch Pumps, Alfredo Martínez @alfredomartinez_brand

Top, Dion Lee via Farfetch @dionlee @farfetch Pants, Alfredo Martínez @alfredomartinez_brand Skirt, Vivienne Westwood via Farfetch @viviennewestwood @farfetch Pumps, Alfredo Martínez @alfredomartinez_brand

Artist Spotlight | Olha Orekhova

By /ART/, /BLOG/, /NEWS/
Spotlight on art photographer Olha Orekhova

Olha Orekhova Photographer, Stage Director, Creative Producer Olha Orekhova is a Berlin-based artist originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, known for her expertise in wet plate collodion photography—a meticulous 19th-century technique that brings a unique depth and historical quality to her work. With a diverse career spanning photography, stage direction, and creative production, Olha has led numerous high-profile projects across film, TV, and animation. Her work is characterized by a blend of technical proficiency and visionary storytelling, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the human condition. Olha holds a degree in directing from the Kyiv University of Culture and Arts and has continued her professional growth through advanced training in direction, dramaturgy, and production. I present to your attention my website where you can see my work, a description of the technology and the philosophy and meaning of my creativity. My artistic practice is rooted in exploring the complexities of memory and identity through wet plate collodion photography. This 19th-century technique, known for its rich textures and inherent imperfections, mirrors the way we experience and remember—fleeting, flawed, yet deeply personal. My work seeks to create emotional narratives that resonate with the viewer, capturing the fragile and often elusive nature of human experience. Through my art, I invite audiences to reflect on their own stories, exploring themes of introspection, existence, and the passage

Instagram 

Website 

Copyright Olha Orekhova

Copyright Olha Orehkova

INTERVIEW WITH ARTIST | KSENIA SANDESKO

By /INTERVIEW, /NEWS/

Text by Irina Rusinovich

Interview with artist Ksenia Sandesko

Ksenia Sandesko, a Ukrainian-born artist making waves in the contemporary art scene, brings a unique perspective to exploring the complexities of human connection and isolation in our increasingly digital world. Her journey began in the Kharkiv Academy of Design and Arts, where she honed her skills in both graphic design and easel painting. Since moving to Moscow in 2020, Sandesko has immersed herself in the contemporary art world, participating in prestigious workshops and exhibiting her work at notable venues like BIS ART Gallery and NII SREDA. Her recent solo exhibition, “Physiology of Nature,” even featured a collaboration with the ZVON dance-theater, seamlessly blending visual art and performance. In this interview, we dive deep into Ksenia’s artistic practice, exploring the inspirations behind her work, her evolving style, and her vision for the future of contemporary art.

 

Ksenia Sandesko

Hello Kseniya! Could you share a bit about yourself? Where are you from, and what has been your journey into the world of art?

 

It seems to me that I have always been in this world. In my childhood, I constantly drew, just like my mother, and dreamed of becoming an artist. And that’s how it turned out. I was born in Ukraine, attended an art school, and then enrolled in the Kharkiv Academy of Design and Arts. It was only after completing my studies that I began to think about what my art should be like.

 

Your work often blends figurative and abstract elements. What inspires you most when choosing your subject matter?

It turns out that in my earlier work (though it sounds strange to say, since it was only three years ago), there were many more abstract elements intertwined with bodies, forming a single whole. Now, I’ve noticed that the bodies are gradually becoming more self-sufficient, while the abstract background is becoming increasingly simplified. It’s interesting to observe this from the outside. The themes in my works often overlap; I’m mostly inspired by interesting poses, and then a composition is born around them.

Ksenia Sandesko

How has your artistic vision evolved over the years, and what key experiences shaped your current style?

I think the main change has occurred in the depiction of human figures. During my studies in academy, we often exaggerated and simplified bodies, which was influenced by the specifics of the academic school. Now, however, the figures in my paintings have become more honest and realistic. I no longer play with proportions or distort details, as I want to capture everything in its original form.

 

Can you tell us more about your creative process? How do you move from concept to the final piece?

In the past, to start working on a painting, all I needed was a simple pencil sketch outlining the bodies, and I barely needed any live reference during the process. Now, first I need to understand what I want to depict and what the main emotion in the work should be. Then, I spend a long time developing the composition, searching for many references, taking photos, creating a collage on a tablet, and often editing it in a graphic editor (this is more relevant for paintings in negative). Only then do I transfer the sketch to the canvas.

Ksenia Sandesko

What message or feeling do you hope viewers take away when they see your artwork?

For a long time, I didn’t quite understand what I wanted to express, and it even seemed to me that I was creating my works mechanically, with no real message behind them. I also didn’t feel a strong connection between my work and myself. But then I realized that, unconsciously, I had been conveying my inner experiences through my art, and it was a way to express my emotions through the images on the canvas. It’s no coincidence that the main figures in my paintings are people—naked, unprotected, vulnerable. Once, my psychologist suggested that I depict what my inner self would look like on a piece of paper. At that moment, I realized that I had been portraying it in my paintings for years. The people in them appear free, sensitive, merging into one. That is exactly what I was trying to convey—how important it is to know and feel oneself, how vital human connection is, and how essential a person’s inner life is.

How does your environment, whether it’s your city or the places you visit, influence your work?

I think this influence is minimal, as I rarely go out and I’m often lost in my own fantasies, which partially helps me in my art. My paintings seem to be in contrast with the real world; they are full of color, imagination, and freedom. Though, perhaps, this is where the influence of my environment is revealed.

What has been the most challenging project you’ve worked on, and how did you overcome those challenges?

Sometimes small works can cause a lot of difficulties, while large-scale paintings come together quickly and easily. Often, I don’t know how the process will unfold, and I end up reworking a painting almost entirely, like changing the background halfway through or completely altering the color palette. So, it’s quite difficult for me to choose the most challenging project, as there are many.

Ksenia Sandesko

What advice would you give to emerging artists trying to find their voice in the art world?

 

I would recommend paying attention to your natural traits and abilities and developing them to the fullest. It’s often difficult for emerging artists to find their own style, and they initially try to imitate other artists and experiment with different approaches. This is a normal process, and what’s important in it is, first, to notice what exactly attracts you to certain artists, and then to see what is inherent to you as well, and try to preserve and enrich that. As for themes and concepts, artists often create their works intuitively in the beginning and struggle to articulate the main idea. But often, that idea is already deeply embedded inside, and it just needs to be brought to the surface.

PARALLEL REALITIES | Group Exhibition by HAZEGALLERY artists

By /ART/, /NEWS/
‘TELO’ Readings & Exhibition by Viktor Jerofejew and Genia Chef

PARALLEL REALITIES | Group Exhibition by HAZEGALLERY artists

Opening Reception: October 23rd, 2023

Exhibition Dates: October 23rd – 30th, 2023

Curated: Irina Rusinovich

Location: Reuterstrassse 62, 12047 Berlin, Deutschland

The group exhibition “Parallel Realities” offers viewers an immersive experience of a world of diverse artistic practices presented by Haze Gallery artists. While each artist works with a unique aesthetic and technique, they all explore similar themes: perception of reality, human interaction with the world around us, and deep inner feelings.

Discover the works of:

Milada Kopelovich

Ksenia Sandesko

Emilia Jechna

Rachele Frison

Denis Komarov

Julia Shanayza

Yulia Ani

Mako Lomadze

Join us for the opening reception on October 23rd, 2023, where you can meet the artists and immerse yourself in their unique worlds.  The exhibition will remain open until October 30th.

For interviews or any queries please write contact { @ } haze.gallery

Christina Kapongo| REVISTA

By /FASHION/, /NEWS/

REVISTA
Photography & Creativity
CHRISTINA KAPONGO @christinakapongo
Model
CORNEL DOORNEBOCH @cxrnel.do
Modeling agency
TRAFFIC MODELS @trafficmodels
Makeup and hair
ESTRELLA  ELORDUY
@estrellaelorduy
Using DIOR BEAUTY @diorbeauty  MIRIAM QUEVEDO @miriam_quevedo
ANA PRADO MANAGEMENT @anaprado

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