Narration, Objects, and Symbols

Photography By Artém Kiyashqo

Photographer and director Artém Kiyashqo discusses the difference between preparing for a video production and photography production, weapons as a symbol of pain, and taking care of your mental health.

Moscow, Russia

What is your history as a photographer?

I was born and raised on Sakhalin Island. Yeah, it’s rather far! If you stand right on the edge of island you will be able to see Japan! I was always surrounded by Asian culture, ranging from cuisine to Japanese architecture that is left over from the War. I think it could affect my vision and creativity. I have been studying in School Of Arts since childhood. We learned how to understand colors, see shades of shadows and shapes. Our schools works were exhibited in Tokyo, USA and Europe.

How did I start? It’s such a typical story like “Parents bought a camera and blah blah blah” Thats true! I was always focused on video and made cheap music videos for local musicians with that humble camera. It was going good! I even managed to earn some money!

After leaving school, I moved to Saint-Petersburg and enrolled at university to study film and photo specialty. We shot a lot on film and literally did not leave the dark room! During this period I started to work in the fashion genre. We made a little campaigns for local fashion brands. I began to devote a lot of time to my projects and, unfortunately, much less time to study. That’s why I barely finished university and didn't even get my diploma.

The next day I bought tickets and went to Moscow for my first music video with a large (at that time) budget. First work with a big team! For several years now I’ve been living and working here!

How would you describe your style of photography? What are you trying to say?

I love fashion. Apart from beauty aesthetics, I always suggest telling a story, trying to look at the photo through the eyes of the director. I mean to make you look at the photo and see movement, narration through images, objects, and symbols.

What kind of preparation goes into each production?

I take my choices very sensitively, it drives me crazy!

As I mentioned earlier, I love fashion. I’m really interested in clothes. Each story depends on collection concept. It is the same with locations. According to the concept, I try to find the right colours and textures of rooms and different facilities browsing all kinds of rental sites, etc. As for models I prefer strange type but then again it all depends on idea.

What has been your greatest struggle as a photographer and how did you overcome this?

I really suffer from self-doubt. It prevents me from achieving my goals. But I'm working on it.

Tell the story behind one of your images.

I’ll tell about my series “Chimi” (Girl in front of guns). My partner in crime (Producer) has Asian roots. She was born and raised in Russia. She’s got enough pain and anxiety due to the racism towards Asians which exists here to this day. So I suggested to take a pictures of our friend Chimi at the one of the local weapon shops. The concept was that to take a pictures of an Asian girl in front of weapon racks and partly cover guns with adhesive plasters and anime stickers. Weapons as a symbol of pain which we hide behind vivid images of anime stickers and plasters.

You are also a music video director. How do you incorporate your photography into videography?

As I said I try to look at the photo through the eyes of the director. It’s the same with video. I love kind of photographic images in video where you see a great composition, geometry, and combination of colours.

How does the preparation for a video production differ from a photography production?

The basic difference is the complexity of the process. Video production is usually more difficult than photography. At least in terms of preparing scripts, treatments, and various production briefs. It is quite exhausting, but it’s worth it! I love photo shoots, because the preparation takes place in an easier way, so I can solve some problems myself.

Tell the story behind one of your videos.

One of my beloved works - Daila “Na X”. It was a cold October in Moscow. And yeah, despite this we managed to find six indigenous people from Ecuador! I'll tell you a little about the concept. One moment in my life is associated with depression and anxiety. I always wanted to tell about it through the metaphorical story. The indigenous people here - that mental anxious state, that can return if you don’t take care of your mental health.