Masha Rudenko
Alyona Kuzmina is a photographer originally coming from Russia and currently based in New York. In this editorial, Alyona decided to portray the Los Angeles-based painter Masha Rudenko. Some of the most recurring elements in Alyona’s work find their way to this photoshoot. We see the scrupulous technical approach to produce a frame in which lights and shades will interwave. Working in the natural set, outdoors, is yet another element often present in Alyona’s work.
The collaboration with Masha brought a twist to the shoot, presenting Masha in juxtaposition to nature. The intense colors of green, blue, orange and pink allow the subject to become merged with the natural landscape while still standing out. As Alyona puts it, “I wanted to make a person stand out from the natural hues with colours.” The appearance of the body comes through confidence and self-acceptance, through oneness with the environment in a relaxing mode. We discuss with Alyona her acquaintance with Masha Rudenko and their shared projects. We speak about this story to find out more details of its creation.
‘In my art, I explore colours and their influence on moods and perceptions, especially on myself. Holi is an Indian festival of colours, a happy and colorful event that I dream to attend.’
Tell about the idea for this story? What was the initial point leading to this photoshoot?
In my art, I explore colours and their influence on moods and perceptions, especially on myself. Holi is an Indian festival of colours, a happy and colorful event that I dream to attend. I am a big fan of India, but while it is impossible to travel in a pandemic environment, I wanted to live this moment in my reality with a creative person who will help convey my emotions and ideas. I wanted to make a person stand out from the natural hues with colours.
‘My main sources of inspiration are nature and travel: the combination of landscape, climate, flora, light, and shadows.’
Which atmosphere did you want to achieve photographing in nature?
My main sources of inspiration are nature and travel: the combination of landscape, climate, flora, light, and shadows. During my career, I've often shot nature-based stories, but the main character in these stories is always clothes (which often overpowers me). In this shoot, I wanted to leave nature as the main character and Masha as the canvas and try to combine that into a story.
‘I met Masha during my first visit to Los Angeles because I was looking for an artist with whom I could have a conversation, a better understanding of California, and do a project. I really liked her technique of painting with torn-off pieces of paper.’
Let's speak about your collaboration with Masha. How do your approach and Masha’s approach meet and shape each other to create the final piece?
I met Masha during my first visit to Los Angeles because I was looking for an artist with whom I could have a conversation, a better understanding of California, and do a project. I really liked her technique of painting with torn-off pieces of paper. During the pandemic, we did another shoot via FaceTime, which was a very inspiring experience. It was our 3rd story, and I think that the longer you communicate and interact with a person, the more they open up, especially in front of the camera.
‘In this story, it was paramount to convey the serenity and confidence of the pristine human body, to try to stand out without standing out.’
What was the chosen location, and how was it discovered?
The place we were shooting in is called Los Olivos. It's a neighbourhood in California where Masha and her husband were living at the time. When, even before the arrival, I suggested the idea of shooting, Masha immediately began to send me landscapes of the area because they hiked there. It is an incredibly vast expanse of nature untouched by man and very unusual for me. California is dry and, at the same time, very alive.
Which moment from this project is most precious to you?
For me, every project is very important. I want to convey emotion, idea, and mood through the colours and people involved in the project. In this story, it was paramount to convey the serenity and confidence of the pristine human body, to try to stand out without standing out.
