A Virus Guide
The last day on earth is a topic envisioned by artists, poets, and cinematographers through various stylistic decisions and genres. Ranging from romantic approach to horror, melodrama, or fantasizing on post-apocalyptic life on earth. A Virus Guide proposes to look at the current situation and the rules it dictates on a global scale with a humoristic approach. The eventual hope the story suggests is the realization that apocalypse is only a fairytale, the statement, which induces hope.
Olesia Merso, a Moscow-based photographer, presents the possible imaginative last day in which the main character decides to go through her wardrobe trying out clothes. The statement of denial of the inevitable from a character’s perspective, but also an ironic depiction of the feared situation, is revealed.
Olesia suggests treating it as “an ironic side of life. When you're laughing, there’s stress relief. And I imagined how carefree it would be just to open and try out all your wardrobe.” We speak with Olesia and Daria about the ironic mood created in the project, the relation of Jil Sander’s campaign to the styling, and the reason for the elf-ears to appear on set.
Photography Olesia Merso Photography Assist Alexander Zheltishev Model Daria Utochka MUA Darina Korova
Clothes by The Film Showroom Ties Film VNEUSLOVNO STROGO VINTAGE Cassiefox
‘I imagine the last day as a simple normal day with not that much action as we're used to seeing in cinematography’
— Olesia Merso
What’s the main theme for A Virus Guide?
Olesia: There are no easy last days of life, I could say. It would be good to know that the apocalypse is just a fairy tale, and our life is in our hands (except a possible monkey invasion). So let's add an injection of humor. Let's imagine what one could wear during the last day on Earth.
How do you imagine the last day on earth? Is it going to be close to how it is depicted in the editorial?
Olesia: I imagine the last day as a simple normal day with not that much action as we're used to seeing in cinematography. Even the film Melancholia by Trier has an apocalypse action in the end - the storm.
In my opinion, humanity is not immortal, and after us, there will be the next type of life. Which kind - only they could know. :) But, one thing is certain, the planet Earth has many secrets we can't imagine. At least because of our level of consciousness and perception of information, we can see only what we can see.
That's why, in the editorial, I tried as much as I can to provide an ironic side of life. When you're laughing, there’s stress relief. And I imagined how carefree it would be just to open and try out all your wardrobe. No reason. Just for fun.
Daria: Maybe the world's end is happening right now, and all of us are going to die slowly because of the disease. But more romantic and beautiful would be if it happens fast. Almost in one moment, for example, because of a celestial object like in von Trier's Melancholy. (I know that I'm going to panic and cry in my mother's arms), but if I was a book or a movie character, I can imagine myself standing on a cliff somewhere with a stunning view, watching the asteroid getting bigger and bigger in the sky, wearing a gorgeous dress, of course! (me, not the asteroid). My face is brave, sad, and strong. I'm just ready to receive my fate. And maybe I even laugh.
What was the main styling direction you decided to take, especially the use of colors red and pink and white bijouterie? What about the elf ears?
Olesia: As for the fashion in pictures, it was organised spontaneously from the model's own huge showroom of vintage clothes in our studio Ties Film. Jewellery items aren't in the frame by chance. It was important for us to dilute themed and vintage costumes with modern clothes and designers.
Daria: I really like vintage clothes, and I have a small collection of weird stuff that I brought from all over the world. Also, we found some cool things in the vintage shops of our friends'. I like to look retro, classy, sexy, and a bit weird, so I brought these elf-ears with me. I like to play a fairytale character when I'm wearing those.
‘I always wanted to shoot something ironic, and I hope we managed to do it. Before the shooting, I had the mood board based on an archive of Jil Sander's campaigns’
— Olesia Merso
What was the mood you wanted to achieve on set? What were some main principles working with the model to create the character?
Olesia: I always wanted to shoot something ironic, and I hope we managed to do it. Before the shooting, I had the mood board based on an archive of Jil Sander's campaigns. There was a criminal mood visualised with broken glass, noir low-key light, and cinematography backlight, full of anxiety and voltage. With my easy-going character, I adapted this mood more towards a mysterious personage than a crime drama. I see Daria as an experienced digital actress (she's an active woman and blogger), which shows that side of her personality that you expect or want to see. So for her, it was easy to play a sexual and enigmatic mood.
What was the most fascinating or funny moment on set or during the preparations for the shoot?
Olesia: Yeah, I found a snail hat on the showroom shelves haha. She didn't like it, but finally, I made some shots with it :) Sometimes your humour isn't supported by others. I'm happy we made a cool story anyway.
Daria: The shooting was very fun and full of inspiration. We just made different styles without any preparation, and Olesia played with the lights. It was super cool to try different characters based on the styling. For example, I put on a red slutty skirt, Darina created a vulgar 90s makeup, Olesia put a bloody handprint on my leg, and I started to feel like a victim of a maniac. Or we found this pink cowboy hat and red evening dress, which made me feel like Madonna in the early 2000s.
