Flavors and splendors
Alena Kutnikova
A graduate from a photography school in Moscow and perpetually self-taught, Alena Kutnikova discovered a passion for still-life photography when she was obliged – along with the whole world – to isolate during the Covid-19 pandemic. This new artistic genre stood out as the only possibility for the artist to express herself creatively, and what a pleasant surprise it was! She studied its history and thus delved into the codes of the fine arts in the fifteenth to seventeenth century in Europe. She was notably inspired by works of the masters from the Netherlands and started to see everyday objects, including food, in a new light.
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When did you start practicing photography? What is your professional background?
I have been doing photography for more than 10 years. I received my basic education in this field at the Academy of Classical Photography (Moscow), and later engaged in self-education. The starting point of my path in the art of still life photography was March 2020, when a self-isolation regime was declared in the world due to the Covid-19 epidemic. I turned to the genre of still life as the only possibility of creative self-expression available to me at that moment. Studying the history of this genre aroused in me an interest in an undeservedly forgotten layer of the cultural code of European fine art of the XV-XVII centuries.
When and for what purpose did you realize these photographs or this series of photographs?
I like to fill my still lifes with hidden meanings. I feel that I am creating a connection of times through modern readings of ancient plots.
Is it a personal project or an order?
I don't create custom jobs. Each of my photos is my self-expression, the result of creative inspiration.
What photographic process did you employ and what were the intended effects?
I take photos only with natural light, using reflectors to accentuate the main details with light and using flags to darken the desired areas.
What are your main sources of influence (photographers, cinema, music, art…)? And for this specific work?
In my works I rely on biblical texts, Emblems of the XVI century (J. Camerarius, A. Alciato, C. Ripa) and books by modern researchers of the theme of symbolism and emblematics in ancient painting (J. Zvezdina, A. Makhov, A.V. Nesterov, L. Impelluso).
Which message do you want to convey through your photographs?
My photographic works have a philosophical attitude and are conducive to contemplation. Modern people are absorbed by the noosphere, the continuous consumption of content, the search for new and new quick pleasures, they strive to be active and live in multitasking mode, use time efficiently. I'm trying to slow down my viewer and bring him back to an organic rhythm for a while, show the beauty of everyday things and enjoy the moment
