IRA ‘KISS’

QCEG: “Ira, how has your transition from Penza to Paris influenced your view of art and fashion, and has it changed the way you express yourself?” IRA: I grew up in a country where art was deeply politicised, even propagandistic, and where fashion was seen as something rather frivolous. As a young woman, I dreamed of settling in France—a country that welcomed me through my literary passions for Proust, Stendhal, Théophile Gautier, Flaubert, and Françoise Sagan. I realised this dream when I was 24.

Here in Paris, I discovered true artistic freedom—a world where a multitude of ideas and styles do not exclude each other but rather coexist in harmony. The same goes for fashion; it is in France that it finds its most authentic and diverse expression. Naturally, this discovery influenced my own way of expressing myself. Among other things, I learned that, in both art and fashion, what matters most is to enjoy oneself without worrying about the gaze of others. More freedom, fewer taboos.

   

QCEG: “Do you still feel echoes of your Russian roots in your work, and how do they blend with the energy and style of Paris?” IRA: One can change countries, but one doesn’t change their DNA. The Russian blood still runs through my veins, even after 27 years of living in France... I have become French, but Russia is my homeland, the place that saw me grow up and gave me an education, work values, and respect that are deeply ingrained in me. Some people notice a melancholy that emanates from my works, and that’s exactly it. A sort of Slavic melancholy that endures, which I express through the gazes of my characters.

But I am by nature an optimist, and joy is one of my driving forces! I love color. If my collages are so vibrant, it’s because it’s my way of expressing the overwhelming passion my culture of origin is imbued with. The generous, slightly exuberant, and very spontaneous side of my art, I think, also comes from my roots.

As for France, it has taught me one invaluable thing: the sense of balance. I know where to stop to avoid falling into kitsch, because I don’t like kitsch.

     

QCEG: “Paris is such a magical place for art and fashion. How has living there shaped your vision and inspired your journey?” IRA: It’s true, Paris is an El Dorado for creatives, whether they are artists or designers. Here, all doors are open if you truly want to build a career in art or fashion. I started exhibiting as a painter when I arrived in Paris, and then I was offered the opportunity to write about fashion for the Russian-speaking press. I got swept up in the whirlwind of fashion weeks and press presentations, which left me with very little time for my artistic activities. I chose fashion journalism as my main focus, sadly putting painting aside. I’ve never regretted that choice because fashion and haute couture have brought me a rich experience in terms of creative ideas and wonderful encounters.

   

QCEG: “Can you share how your journey into the world of art began? Was there a defining moment when you knew this was your path?̶ IRA: Since I was little, I’ve been writing stories and drawing. My parents always encouraged me, but when it came time to choose my higher education and I told them I had passed the entrance exam for the School of Fine Arts, they categorically opposed it. To them, being an artist wasn’t a respectable profession. They insisted that I first study linguistics at university. I agreed, but at the same time, I continued painting and exhibited my works in galleries in Penza. I couldn’t give it up because it was my true calling and my identity. It was at that moment I realized that, no matter what I did in life, art would always remain my greatest passion." It has always been my dream; I would even say it was inevitable. Over time, this dream became more and more real and eventually became my main focus.

     

QCEG: “What inspired you to explore so many creative fields — from writing to painting, and now collage?” IRA: I’ve always been naturally curious and love exploring new forms of expression. Moving from painting to writing feels natural to me; these activities complement each other. I’m in love with words and colors, and I can express this love through writing and painting, depending on my mood. As for collage, it allows me to express both my love for words and my passion for colors in a single piece. It’s extraordinary!

     

QCEG: “Your collages often transform fashion images into something completely new. What story are you trying to tell through this process?” IRA: It’s a story of beauty in perpetual motion. The beauty that endures. The beauty that is constantly reborn and transformed. This beauty that never dies.I prevent beautiful fashion images from falling into oblivion by giving them a second life, rearranging their elements to create a new harmony that is both familiar and unprecedented through my collages.

     

QCEG: “Do you think your work celebrates Fashion, critique, or perhaps a bit of both?” Ira: My work celebrates, above all, beauty and the aesthetic pleasure it provides. Just like in fashion, in Art, visual and emotional pleasure is one of the most important components in my eyes.

   

QCEG: "Are your novels inspired by your life, your imagination, or a mix of both? Ira: Certainly, my personal experiences nourish my novels, but I always add a good dose of fiction. Writing a sort of autobiography would deeply bore me because it’s too self-centered an exercise. I prefer rich, well-constructed stories with a multitude of varied characters.

   

QCEG: “Do you see any connections between the creation of a novel and that of a collage? How do these art forms inspire each other?” IRA: Absolutely, there is a deep connection between these two processes. Both originate from an emotion that needs to be shaped to make it tangible and to communicate it. In a novel, this happens through the choice of characters and the development of an idea that comes to life through words. In a collage, this same idea materializes in colors, textures, and shapes.

My collages are often inspired by literary works or fictional characters, translating their essence into visuals. Sometimes, the opposite happens: while working on a collage, words emerge in my mind, dance, and organize themselves to become a story or a text that accompanies and enriches the visual work. It’s a constant dialogue between writing and imagery, where each form of art nourishes the other.

   

QCEG: “If one of your books could come to life as a work of art, what would it look like?” IRA: My novel Back in URSS, mémoires d’une jeune femme russe, inspired by my Soviet childhood, could materialize as a collage in the shape of a red star, like a symbol made up of my old photos, newspaper clippings featuring Communist Party leaders of the time, but also images of the Beatles, this treasure that my father passed down to me. This collage would embody both the nostalgia of a bygone past and the striking contrast between the rigid regime and the aspiration for freedom.

   

QCEG: “What led you to start writing alongside your visual art? How does this fit into your creative life today?” IRA: It happened very naturally because I’ve always loved writing as much as painting or drawing. The magic of collage allows both: I play with words and colors. Additionally, I often write a story to accompany each of my creations, giving them extra depth and linking them to a narrative universe."

   

QCEG: “What’s next for you, Ira? Are there new themes or mediums you’re excited to explore?” IRA: Not long ago, I tried creating a collage paper sculpture. It’s a different process that requires a lot of patience, but I really enjoyed it! In fact, I named this sculpture 'Kiss Couture' to pay tribute to the world I’ve been working in for 20 years. I’d love to collaborate with brands to create such bespoke objects, using their scraps, old catalogs, or advertisements.

Additionally, I’m thinking about developing small series of derivatives of my collages, while staying true to an eco-friendly approach. For me, combining creativity and sustainability has become essential, and I’m excited to see where this approach will lead me.

     

QCEG: “Have you ever thought about combining your art with new technologies, such as augmented reality or digital platforms?” IRA: For now, I stick to handmade, as it brings me the most joy. But I’m definitely open to digital possibilities like NFT processes! One must live with the times, right?"

   

QCEG: “If your works could travel anywhere in the world, where would you want them to go and why?” IRA: When peace returns—and it will, because life is made of cycles—I would love to begin by exhibiting in Russia. Because it is the country that has given me so much. Because, despite its absence, it remains in my heart.

Then, Asia draws me; I am very curious about its history and culture, its many peoples, and we must not forget that part of Russia, beyond the Ural Mountains, is also in Asia. In fact, I would dream of my works traveling with the wind and the desires of those who look at them, sailing across the oceans and getting lost in the horizon to meet each being for whom beauty would imprint itself in the very core of their pupil, never to leave again!

   

QCEG: “I love the way you transform memories and images into works of art. What would you like people to take away from this process?” IRA: Transforming memories into a work in the form of a kiss is the ultimate act of love and tenderness. It’s as if we are kissing again the people we love, have loved, and who, despite time or their disappearance, remain in our hearts. The photos and personal objects of our loved ones would emerge from our closets to take on a new dimension and never leave us again.

   

QCEG: “In your view, what role does Art play in tackling major challenges like sustainability or even supporting emotional well-being?” IRA: I see Art as a compass; it allows me to stand firm on the shifting sands that are our existence. It’s truly a form of therapy in a time like ours. Seeing something come to life under your hands is incredible! And if, on top of that, it pleases others, it’s extraordinary!

The fact of creating a 100% recycled product is also important to me, because I believe that "sustainability" and "upcycling" are not just concepts, but real actions to adopt so that there is less waste and pollution on our planet, which has caught quite a bad cough and seems to be getting worse. It’s my modest contribution to sustainable Art.

     

QCEG: “If you could convey a single message to the world through your art, what would it be?“ IRA: Kiss & Love!

Let’s kiss more often. Let’s embrace life! Let’s rediscover love and tenderness through a kiss. A kiss is a promise. I have always loved the symbolism of a promise—for me, it represents that anything is possible, even the impossible (laughs)!

     

QCEG: “Your work is so vibrant, filled with colors and emotions. How do you want people to feel when they discover it?” IRA: I want them to be surprised, to see joy in their eyes, and for that joy to slowly seep in and find its way to their hearts, so that the most beautiful smile emerges on their lips. A smile is the essence of a face; a true smile doesn’t lie, it reveals everything about you to those who know how to receive it!
And if my Arty Kisses inspire people to embrace their loved ones or close ones, that will be my greatest reward.

     

QCEG: “How did you feel about the feedback and reactions to your latest exhibition?” IRA: People were curious to see how the works were created, the process, and the technique. From a distance or in photos, my collages resemble paintings, often like knife-painting, a technique I used for my previous works. But when you look closer, you discover an entire universe that emerges and flourishes like a mosaic made of glued paper, images, words, symbols, and more.

I saw surprise in their eyes as they discovered this world that one can dive into and spend a crazy amount of time in. Interest? Many told me it was very original. That’s important. Others complimented me, praising the beauty it inspired in them. I think that’s the compliment I heard the most. It really touched me!

You know, Oscar Wilde said something that I’ve embraced as a mantra since my earliest youth: "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." For me, this phrase sums up my approach to beauty—taking what is destined for the gutter and turning it into a sparkling star, inspiring beauty that then spreads, because those those who smile while looking at the stars encourage others to look at what brings them so much joy.