Breath of the Singularity triptych
What will the essence of technological singularity be once it is attained? This project explores that question through the utilization of digital technologies, presenting an experimental endeavor.
Loop
60 sek
Sound 48 kHz
Frame rate - 60 fps
MP4 - 1080x1080
Music generated by Mubert https://mubert.com/render
2022
NFTs link: opensea.io/collection/singularity-
What will the essence of technological singularity be once it is attained? This project explores that question through the utilization of digital technologies, presenting an experimental endeavor.
Loop
60 sek
Sound 48 kHz
Frame rate - 60 fps
MP4 - 1080x1080
Music generated by Mubert https://mubert.com/render
2022
NFTs link: opensea.io/collection/singularity-
Brave New Eden a series of 20 digital art
Every artwork has unique colors, shapes, movements.
1 of 1
Video mp4 H264
1080x1800 pixels
60fps
1 min
2021
vimeo.com/user137530505
Every artwork has unique colors, shapes, movements.
1 of 1
Video mp4 H264
1080x1800 pixels
60fps
1 min
2021
vimeo.com/user137530505
Through the use of digital technologies, I embarked on an experimental journey to transform the gentle sway of leaves and flowers in a garden into a futuristic paradise, reimagining the essence of nature in the digital realm.
In the era of digital advancement, we find ourselves grappling with cultural amnesia, left with mere fragments of a world that existed before. This series of animated heat-maps serves as an experimental endeavor, aiming to transform the gentle movement of wind-swayed leaves and flowers in a garden into a digital paradise—an envisioned "Brave New Eden."
Stretching back to the ancient Sumerians over 2000 years ago, humanity has long harbored a dream of a distant and exquisite Garden of Eden. Legends penned by Homer, Hesiod, Virgil, and Ovid have glorified this utopian sanctuary. Within its borders, sorrow, disease, and the weariness of old age were banished. Trees and shrubs adorned themselves with precious gems like lapis lazuli leaves and carnelian fruits, while the air carried the fragrances of myrtle and lemon mint, accompanied by the sweet melodies of birdsong.
Yet, as time passes, the memories of this cherished Eden have begun to fade, and modern society yearns for a Brave New Eden within the digital confines of the Metaverse. Here, people seek to fulfill the ancient and universal human longing for a magical garden, where they can enter and immerse themselves in an enchanting realm once dreamed of by generations past.
"Angelus Novus Novus" is a video art about a contemporary angel of history. The starting point of the project was Paul Klee's painting "Angelus Novus" and "Theses on the Philosophy of History" by Walter Benjamin.
Project Type: Experimental, Video Art
Runtime: 06 minutes 17 seconds
Shooting Format: HD
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Film Colour: Black & White
Music: J.S. Bach, Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr, BWV 639
Performed by Miguel Costas (piano)
2021
link: vimeo.com/manage/videos/639633082
Project Type: Experimental, Video Art
Runtime: 06 minutes 17 seconds
Shooting Format: HD
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Film Colour: Black & White
Music: J.S. Bach, Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr, BWV 639
Performed by Miguel Costas (piano)
2021
link: vimeo.com/manage/videos/639633082
“A Klee painting named Angelus Novus shows an angel looking as though he is about to move away from something he is fixedly contemplating. His eyes are staring, his mouth is open, his wings are spread. This is how one pictures the angel of history. His face is turned toward the past. Where we perceive a chain of events, he sees one single catastrophe which keeps piling wreckage upon wreckage and hurls it in front of his feet. The angel would like to stay, awaken the dead, and make whole what has been smashed. But a storm is blowing from Paradise; it has got caught in his wings with such violence that the angel can no longer close them. The storm irresistibly propels him into the future to which his back is turned, while the pile of debris before him grows skyward. This storm is what we call progress.”
W. Benjamin, “Theses on the Philosophy of History”, 1940
W. Benjamin, “Theses on the Philosophy of History”, 1940
Description"
"Angelus Novus Novus" is a video art piece that explores the concept of a contemporary angel of history. Inspired by Paul Klee's painting "Angelus Novus" and Walter Benjamin's "Theses on the Philosophy of History," the project delves into the significance of human history.
In the current era, we are witnessing a global event of unprecedented magnitude since 1945. However, one of the main challenges we face today is the prevalence of manipulation and distorted versions of reality. As a result, we, as humanity, lack access to an accurate understanding of what is truly happening. Thus, by engaging with the collective memory of history, we can navigate the complexities of the present.
Employing a minimalist aesthetic and a romantic sensibility, the video establishes a connection between the history of the past century and the contemporary moment. The pace of time depicted in the video deliberately slows down, employing reverse filming techniques that reference the cyclical patterns and repetitions observed since ancient Greece.
The video begins with a quote from Dürer's "Melancholy," symbolizing the prototype of the Western world. Today, the Western world faces an unprecedented challenge, evoking Albrecht Dürer's contemplation of such events. Lars Von Trier's film about the planet Melancholy serves as a modern echo of Dürer's premonition, portraying an impending and inevitable catastrophe for the Earth.
Within the video, an almost motionless Angel resides in a room where objects and symbols discussed by researchers of Dürer's work (scientists, philosophers, and art critics) are absent or broken. Some items may be hidden within a suitcase, potentially metaphorizing the end of history. The Angel holds a dry rose, symbolizing the transience of life, and then places it on the stairs—the only object from Dürer's painting, representing a connection between heaven and earth. The Angel emanates an immense inner strength, guided by a creative force and restlessness. Before departing from the room forever, the Angel casts a farewell glance at an ideal cloud—a representation of the creative impulse, purity of ideals, and moral freedom from the Renaissance era.
Passing through a corridor from light into darkness and descending the stairs, the Angel peers at us through a grid, described by Rosalind Krauss as an anti-natural, anti-mimetic, and anti-real spatial structure that displaces lifelike symbols of our time.
Having transcended the constraints of the grid, the Angel breaks into the realm of freedom and walks amidst the backdrop of an old factory. This decaying structure symbolizes the past, once advanced and utilitarian, but now abandoned, motionless, and empty—still beautiful and impressive, yet rendered useless.
Finally liberated from the ruins of the old industrial world, the Angel pauses and gazes upon our faces, reminiscent of Paul Klee's painting "Angelus Novus," bidding farewell to humanity. Perhaps she is departing forever from this world of progress, aligning with Benjamin's vision of progress as destruction.
The Angel's destiny is to depart from this world and dissolve into the light of the sun. Yet, she makes one final attempt to rectify this world by moving a stone. It echoes the wise sentiment that for peace to prevail on Earth, it is not necessary to demolish and rebuild everything; even the slightest movement of a cup, wood, or stone can bring about positive change.
As the Angel vanishes into the rays of the setting sun, she raises her hand, dividing the sun's ray into five parts, symbolizing that the future is unfolding in the present.
We are currently witnessing a pivotal moment of transformation, where the world is rapidly evolving. International institutions are undergoing dismantlement, and it appears that the entire system, including globalization and capitalism, is in decline. The future of humanity is uncertain, and there is a pervasive sense of unease regarding the pandemic and the potential encroachment of digital totalitarian control. History is unfolding daily, and tomorrow begins even before today. Time is compressed, akin to a tightly wound spring, suggesting that history is poised to repeat itself at some mutated juncture.
"Angelus Novus Novus" is a video art piece that explores the concept of a contemporary angel of history. Inspired by Paul Klee's painting "Angelus Novus" and Walter Benjamin's "Theses on the Philosophy of History," the project delves into the significance of human history.
In the current era, we are witnessing a global event of unprecedented magnitude since 1945. However, one of the main challenges we face today is the prevalence of manipulation and distorted versions of reality. As a result, we, as humanity, lack access to an accurate understanding of what is truly happening. Thus, by engaging with the collective memory of history, we can navigate the complexities of the present.
Employing a minimalist aesthetic and a romantic sensibility, the video establishes a connection between the history of the past century and the contemporary moment. The pace of time depicted in the video deliberately slows down, employing reverse filming techniques that reference the cyclical patterns and repetitions observed since ancient Greece.
The video begins with a quote from Dürer's "Melancholy," symbolizing the prototype of the Western world. Today, the Western world faces an unprecedented challenge, evoking Albrecht Dürer's contemplation of such events. Lars Von Trier's film about the planet Melancholy serves as a modern echo of Dürer's premonition, portraying an impending and inevitable catastrophe for the Earth.
Within the video, an almost motionless Angel resides in a room where objects and symbols discussed by researchers of Dürer's work (scientists, philosophers, and art critics) are absent or broken. Some items may be hidden within a suitcase, potentially metaphorizing the end of history. The Angel holds a dry rose, symbolizing the transience of life, and then places it on the stairs—the only object from Dürer's painting, representing a connection between heaven and earth. The Angel emanates an immense inner strength, guided by a creative force and restlessness. Before departing from the room forever, the Angel casts a farewell glance at an ideal cloud—a representation of the creative impulse, purity of ideals, and moral freedom from the Renaissance era.
Passing through a corridor from light into darkness and descending the stairs, the Angel peers at us through a grid, described by Rosalind Krauss as an anti-natural, anti-mimetic, and anti-real spatial structure that displaces lifelike symbols of our time.
Having transcended the constraints of the grid, the Angel breaks into the realm of freedom and walks amidst the backdrop of an old factory. This decaying structure symbolizes the past, once advanced and utilitarian, but now abandoned, motionless, and empty—still beautiful and impressive, yet rendered useless.
Finally liberated from the ruins of the old industrial world, the Angel pauses and gazes upon our faces, reminiscent of Paul Klee's painting "Angelus Novus," bidding farewell to humanity. Perhaps she is departing forever from this world of progress, aligning with Benjamin's vision of progress as destruction.
The Angel's destiny is to depart from this world and dissolve into the light of the sun. Yet, she makes one final attempt to rectify this world by moving a stone. It echoes the wise sentiment that for peace to prevail on Earth, it is not necessary to demolish and rebuild everything; even the slightest movement of a cup, wood, or stone can bring about positive change.
As the Angel vanishes into the rays of the setting sun, she raises her hand, dividing the sun's ray into five parts, symbolizing that the future is unfolding in the present.
We are currently witnessing a pivotal moment of transformation, where the world is rapidly evolving. International institutions are undergoing dismantlement, and it appears that the entire system, including globalization and capitalism, is in decline. The future of humanity is uncertain, and there is a pervasive sense of unease regarding the pandemic and the potential encroachment of digital totalitarian control. History is unfolding daily, and tomorrow begins even before today. Time is compressed, akin to a tightly wound spring, suggesting that history is poised to repeat itself at some mutated juncture.
"Peregrination"
MOTTO: From human being to human compassionate
GENRE: documentary observational video essay
FORMAT: HD video, sound, color
ESTIMATED RUNNING TIME: 23 min
In post-production
link peregrination-videoart.weebly.com/
SYNOPSIS
A visual diary of a trip to holy place in India where the story is told through the portraits of people living their tough daily lives.
A visual diary of a trip to holy place in India where the story is told through the portraits of people living their tough daily lives.
Introducing the PEREGRINATION project, a captivating documentary observational video essay that chronicles a remarkable journey from Riga, Latvia to the sacred Shri Kedarnath temple nestled 3400 meters high in the Indian Himalayas. This expedition spans diverse locations, encompassing cities, villages, and scenic landscapes across Uttarakhand, India, including Delhi, Haridwar, and Kedarnath. Throughout the voyage, the lens captures the unfolding narrative from the perspectives of the individuals encountered along the way, as they become the genuine storytellers in this non-narrative and observational video essay.
The heart of the story lies in the portraits of people, offering glimpses into their resilient daily lives imbued with spirituality and divinity, as seen through their struggles and triumphs. My intention was to maintain a visual diary throughout this expedition, capturing the essence of each moment. However, unforeseen circumstances arose as the world was swept by the Covid-19 wave, leading to the closure of borders between nations. The concept of an open and interconnected global society, a cornerstone of personal human rights according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, was abruptly shattered by the pandemic-induced travel restrictions and global quarantine measures.
While recognizing the importance of freedom of movement, which remains a fundamental principle to me, the pandemic has presented a unique challenge. It has starkly highlighted the fragility of our global interconnectedness and reshaped the way we experience and perceive the world. Despite these obstacles, the PEREGRINATION project encapsulates the transformative power of human resilience, spirituality, and the indomitable human spirit, echoing the enduring quest for connection and meaning in an ever-changing world.
VISUAL STYLE
The footage for the project is shot in an observational mode, with zero aim to break in another culture or to force the scenes according to director’s intention. This style allows viewers to reach whatever conclusions they may come to.
I didn’t have a goal to explore another culture; I tried to listen and to hear my own feelings and rather to document what was happening around me, without interference. Therefore I have chosen a maximum soft visual style, mostly static camera, no close-ups, only long minimalistic wide shots with sounds of city, nature and of human activities. It can be compared to an observation, without comments and music as that would distract us from the reality of the moment on the screen. This way the viewers could observe what was happening on the screen without straining their eyes, and rather try to turn to their own sensations.
The images come together to form a slow rhythm to turn the watching experience into a kind of a visual meditation.
The heart of the story lies in the portraits of people, offering glimpses into their resilient daily lives imbued with spirituality and divinity, as seen through their struggles and triumphs. My intention was to maintain a visual diary throughout this expedition, capturing the essence of each moment. However, unforeseen circumstances arose as the world was swept by the Covid-19 wave, leading to the closure of borders between nations. The concept of an open and interconnected global society, a cornerstone of personal human rights according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, was abruptly shattered by the pandemic-induced travel restrictions and global quarantine measures.
While recognizing the importance of freedom of movement, which remains a fundamental principle to me, the pandemic has presented a unique challenge. It has starkly highlighted the fragility of our global interconnectedness and reshaped the way we experience and perceive the world. Despite these obstacles, the PEREGRINATION project encapsulates the transformative power of human resilience, spirituality, and the indomitable human spirit, echoing the enduring quest for connection and meaning in an ever-changing world.
VISUAL STYLE
The footage for the project is shot in an observational mode, with zero aim to break in another culture or to force the scenes according to director’s intention. This style allows viewers to reach whatever conclusions they may come to.
I didn’t have a goal to explore another culture; I tried to listen and to hear my own feelings and rather to document what was happening around me, without interference. Therefore I have chosen a maximum soft visual style, mostly static camera, no close-ups, only long minimalistic wide shots with sounds of city, nature and of human activities. It can be compared to an observation, without comments and music as that would distract us from the reality of the moment on the screen. This way the viewers could observe what was happening on the screen without straining their eyes, and rather try to turn to their own sensations.
The images come together to form a slow rhythm to turn the watching experience into a kind of a visual meditation.
Photography project Jesus, Jesus
NFT link: opensea.io/collection/jesus-story
Crucifixion, The Last Gasp, Mother's last embracement, Resurrection, 2021
NFT link: opensea.io/collection/jesus-story
Crucifixion, The Last Gasp, Mother's last embracement, Resurrection, 2021
"TRY ON"
Short film link: Try on
Producer/Director/Script Alexander Rusevich
Latvia, 2010
9:16/color
08'00''
Short film link: Try on
Producer/Director/Script Alexander Rusevich
Latvia, 2010
9:16/color
08'00''
SYNOPSIS
What unfulfilled wishes are hiding inside us when youth has passed long time ago? And if they come true, do they come in the right place and time?
A railway worker on her ordinary working day suddenly finds something that she was dreaming about when she was young
What unfulfilled wishes are hiding inside us when youth has passed long time ago? And if they come true, do they come in the right place and time?
A railway worker on her ordinary working day suddenly finds something that she was dreaming about when she was young
"Forget-Me-Not"
Short film link: Forget-Me-Not
Producer/Director/Script Alexander Rusevich
Latvia, 2009
9:16/color
13'42''
Short film link: Forget-Me-Not
Producer/Director/Script Alexander Rusevich
Latvia, 2009
9:16/color
13'42''
SYNOPSIS
How deeply rooted is the fear of new war in our subconscious, and with role does information technology play in this context?
How easy is it to effectively manipulate millions of people by referring to their past with the of information technologies?
Mara is waiting for her boyfriend Andreys when a declaration of war is unexpectedly reported on television.
How deeply rooted is the fear of new war in our subconscious, and with role does information technology play in this context?
How easy is it to effectively manipulate millions of people by referring to their past with the of information technologies?
Mara is waiting for her boyfriend Andreys when a declaration of war is unexpectedly reported on television.
"Arcana XV"
Short film
Producer/Director/Script Alexander Rusevich
Latvia, 2008
9:16/color
20'38''
Short film
Producer/Director/Script Alexander Rusevich
Latvia, 2008
9:16/color
20'38''
SYNOPSIS
Unexpected mystical effect on a photo booth picture triggers the destruction of swamp-like world of lies of the protagonist.
Unexpected mystical effect on a photo booth picture triggers the destruction of swamp-like world of lies of the protagonist.