Ukrainian artist Sasha Kurmaz changes the way that we view photography. Throughout his body of work, the artist emphasizes the human form through passion and mystery; bringing unfamiliar things into focus. Kurmaz is also a street artist, painting characteristic shapes with a colorful palette.
How, why and when did photography begin for you?
I started taking pictures somewhere in 2001 when I started to paint graffiti in the streets. Cameras allowed me to fixed my piece on walls and trains.
Can you tell us about your background outside of photography?
In addition to photography I’m doing graffiti and street-art. Today this is one of my main areas of activity.
What was your education at DAKKKIM like? What were you studying?
I’ve always been interested in architecture, but I didn’t want to be an architect, it’s why I chose faculty interior-designer in art academy, but after I had finished, I went to work in an advertising agency as a graphic-designer. After working for 4 years, I realized that advertising is bull shit and left.
Can you tell us about Kiev, it’s art and culture? And are you planning on living there for the rest of your life?
I was born in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine is one of the largest countries in Eastern Europe. Kiev is a very beautiful and ugly city. This country has a lot of soviet architecture and monuments. It’s an exotic country, with a special mentality and originality ethnic-kitsch culture. If I had the opportunity to leave this country, I would have done it by now.
What is the meaning behind the closeups and nudity in your photographs? Why do you choose to project the human body in such an intense and personal way? What are the main themes throughout your work?
The kind of photography that I do has always been quite intimate. This is both a chronicle of events that happened in my life alongside an intimate part of it. I am not ashamed to show those processes that occur inside of me. I’ve always been open in my work, and opened my private life backstage. Human and the human body, it is one of the main themes in my work. I’ve always been interested in all that a person is trying to hide under their layers of clothing. I think this it’s very strange and interesting, and will continue to explore these themes in my work. My aesthetics show an interaction with the real world.
What camera(s) are you currently shooting with, and how did you end up with them?
For a long time I used a cheap and compact photo camera, like an Olympus MJU or a Pentax. I like that they are small and easy to put in a pocket. It allows you to always be prepared to shoot… But now I use contax g-1.
How would you ideally see your career as a photographer evolve?
For photography, I don’t see any prospects for me in Ukraine. In my country, there’s a very low cultural level. Very often, my work doesn’t understand people and reproach me in the mud, as pornography. Many people are still very closed in their views and understanding of the processes that occur in the modern cultural world. For example, out of 10 people who see my work, 8 will probably say it’s dirty and vulgar porno shit. I think this is a consequence of a Soviet education.
What are you currently working on and what do you have planned down the line?
I’ve just finished work on a major project which I did in Donetsk city under curator Boris Mikhailov. This is a large industrial city in eastern Ukraine. It’s a very strange, special and colorful city. The results of this work can be seen next summer on foundation “Izolyatsia” in Donetsk.
