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Live
East Meets West: A Tapestry of Lens & Oil
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Step into a groundbreaking digital art experience which transcends borders and unites artistic minds. ‘East Meets West: A Tapestry of Lens & Oil’ is an extraordinary event, the culmination of a unique cultural exchange as three world-renowned oil painters interpret three evocative photographs by the acclaimed Russian photographer and courageous LGBTQ+ activist Olga Shpak. At the heart of this digital convergence stands AnimusLive, the visionary producer and curator, who champions artists and conceives exquisite and thought-provoking collaborations, bringing Arne Spangereid, David Cheifetz, and Tania Rivilis together with Olga Shpak to showcase their masterful talents.
Arne Spangereid, the celebrated Norwegian painter, presents ‘Pauline Redux’, an animated oil painting which seamlessly fuses elements of Pop Art and classical painting. Through flattened forms and jittery GIF animation, Arne transports viewers into a realm where past and present collide. The painting serves as a poignant reminder of the human experience during times of conflict, signifying the resilience and hope that may emerge from adversity.
David Cheifetz, the revered US painter, unveils ‘Closer Still’, a masterpiece that showcases his unparalleled technique. In this artwork, David's strokes seem to breathe life into the canvas, mesmerising the audience with hyper-realistic details and bold use of colors. ‘Closer Still’ is a testament to David's mastery, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a visceral world of enchantment.
Tania Rivilis, the beloved half-Ukrainian painter, graces the exhibition with her acknowledged expertise in portraiture. In her interpretation of Olga Shpak's photograph, Tania's artwork emanates strength and introspection. Through her signature style, she brings forth the true essence of her subject, provoking viewers to contemplate the story which lies beneath the surface of her striking portrait.
At the core of ‘East Meets West’ is AnimusLive, the brilliant producer with an unwavering passion for art and its potential to unite humanity. With a discerning eye, AnimusLive has hand-picked the photographs for each artist, carefully curating a collection that weaves a tapestry of diverse perspectives and profound emotions. Through this bespoke collection, AnimusLive fosters an environment where artistic talents merge, celebrating cooperation and cultural understanding.
As collectors and art enthusiasts explore the collection, they will find themselves immersed in a boundless realm of creativity. Each artwork represents a testament to the power of collaboration and the ability of art to transcend geographical and political boundaries. ’East Meets West: A Tapestry of Lens & Oil’ is a profound celebration of unity in diversity, where Olga Shpak's captivating photography serves as the common thread connecting artists and audiences alike, forging an unforgettable digital tour de force..
Producer & Curator AnimusLive
AnimusLive bridges artists & collectors, uniting the fascinating & fascinated. Over the past 35 years, AnimusLive has meticulously acquired an enviable art collection, now boasting more than 3500 unique digital masterpieces. This passion for the aesthetic isn't contained to a virtual collection - it bursts into reality through the curation of massive-scale projections at prestigious events, such as NFT London, Art Basel Miami, NFT Paris, and the NFC Summit Lisbon. As a Producing Partner of both Val Kilmer and The Duchess of York, AnimusLive's influence extends beyond the digital art sphere. As the exclusive digital representative for acclaimed artists Arne Spangereid and Richard Nadler and curator and advisor to countless hundreds more, AnimusLive further strengthens its commitment to harmonising the traditional and digital art worlds.
Check out AnimusLive's Sotheby's Institute article on Twitter Spaces featuring AnimusLive below:
Twitter Spaces: Representing Artists in web3
Read MakersPlace's interview with AnimusLive below:
Interview with Curator, Collector, and Artist Manager AnimusLive
View AnimusLive's Curated Collection Exhibit Below:
Interweaving Aesthetics
Olga Shpak
A professional photographer for more than a decade, I specialise in the genre of staged photography - a genre that empowers me to reveal images that are born in my head. My passion is to create my own worlds, combining reality and fantasy. I am a Philologist by education, with a particular focus in Mythopoeics, a narrative genre in modern literature and film in which an artificial or fictionalised mythology is created by the writer of prose, poetry, or other literary forms. This interest continues in my work as a photographer, incorporating symbols and metaphors in my photos. I am fascinated by the topics of life, death, and rebirth. I have created several series based upon mythological subjects, wherein I rethink them to achieve new meanings.
I also explore the topic of gender and consider myself a queer artist. This theme was not immediately apparent in my work but became increasingly evident through a journey of self-awareness. Most of my works of the last 5 years are in some way dedicated to my girlfriend. Being a voice in the queer community is very important to me - to speak out against anti-gay laws, censorship, and propaganda in Russia. It is important to hear each other and provide support.
Throughout the course of my career in photography, I have worked in various styles. On one of my early shoots, I created a stylised lighting reminiscent of that found in the works of the Old Masters. I like the interplay of light and shadow. I like the appearance of models who seem to have come from another era. I rarely apply makeup to my models and avoid retouching my photographs. My new project will be in the style of surrealism. I love doing staged shoots with multiple models. The narrative is very important to me. I highly value understatement, when the viewer is given the opportunity to reflect upon the photo and find their own interpretations. The Art of Cinema often serves as an inspiration to me. My favourite directors are Ingmar Bergman, David Lynch, and Lars von Trier.
Tania Rivilis
I want to capture moments when people realize they are truly alive, feeling, and present. It is in these transient moments when the stranger across the way appears as if bathed in a magical glow, that my inspiration is born.
Color helps me show the many aspects, breath, and relationships that define my subjects and the connections of my subjects in the ever-changing world. Color helps me do that — the tones in the immediate vicinity within the color circle create this rippling effect, a sounding, condensed, deepened volume of the environment in which the characters live.
David Cheifetz
b. 1981.
A former architect with a degree from the University of Washington (Seattle), David began learning to paint with oils in 2007 at the classical Schuler School of Fine Art (Baltimore) and in 2009 made the transition to full time art. He has since appeared in successful solo and group exhibitions and has been featured in major publications including Southwest Art Magazine, American Art Collector, Artist’s Magazine, and Fine Art Connoisseur. David has taught over 25 sold-out multi-day oil painting workshops across the United States. In April 2021, Cheifetz began minting nfts of his artwork on the Ethereum and Tezos blockchains. He has since expanded his art practice to include digital painting and AI processes. David and his family live in Olympia, WA, USA.
Arne Spangereid
Arne Spangereid (b. 1981) is a Norwegian artist who primarily works in oils. He is known for his playful interior scenes where he combines men in suits with robots and rubber toys.
Spangereid’s style of painting is a fusion of the classical methods and contemporary expressions. “Contrasts and paradoxes attract me”, he says. "I combine delicate brush techniques with rough tools such as squeegees and rubber spatulas, and I enjoy creating contrasts between abstract elements and descriptive passages that make sense of the rest of the picture. To me this resonates with life itself: out there in the madness there are a few moments and relationship that give meaning to everything else."
He has lived and studied in Malta, USA and Norway.