Author: Ilya

From the beginning of 2024, Marina Fedorova, the visionary force of the Cosmodreams project, has been invited to write an author’s column for HIA, an Arabic monthly women’s magazine for affluent women and businesswomen in the Arab world.

In the January issue, Marina delved into the evolving landscape of global trends in art and fashion. She emphasized the importance of cultural roots, traditions, and folklore in shaping contemporary artistic expressions. Marina’s insights into the fusion of virtual reality and augmented reality with traditional artistic mediums offer readers a fresh understanding of modern creativity.

Continuing her exploration of womanhood and empowerment, Marina’s March column delved into the essence of femininity. Through her art, Marina celebrates the strength, resilience, and beauty inherent in being a woman. In the Cosmodreams project, she portrays women as brave and elegant cosmic adventurers, defying societal constraints with boundless freedom.

Marina’s contributions to HIA Magazine reflect her commitment to celebrating the achievements and aspirations of women around the world. Her articles provide valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of contemporary art and fashion, enriching the publication with her creative vision and intellectual depth.

As we look forward to Marina’s upcoming material in the next issues, we acknowledge her dedication to providing HIA Magazine’s readers with thought-provoking content.

As an artist, I find profound inspiration in the essence of womanhood. I am Marina Fedorova, an artist and a woman. Through my art, I delve into the depths of what it means to be a woman, embracing every facet of this identity with reverence and celebration.

First and foremost, I am a woman. This fundamental aspect of my being is not merely a coincidence but a source of joy and empowerment. Within the vibrant strokes of my paintings, womanhood finds its voice, and on the canvas, I weave tales of femininity, resilience, and grace. Each brushstroke is a testament to the strength and beauty inherent in being a woman.

In my artistic journey, I am captivated by the evolving role of women in the modern era. Gone are the days when women solely served as muses for men; today, we stand as beacons of inspiration for one another. Through my art, I strive to depict an idealized image of womanhood—a Wonderwoman of perfection poised to conquer the cosmos. In my creative universe, women soar with boundless freedom, defying gravity and societal constraints alike. Whether traversing the vast expanse of space or navigating the complexities of earthly existence, a woman remains steadfast in her identity, undeterred by the challenges that may arise.

However, amidst the grandeur of cosmic dreams, it is the role of motherhood that holds a special place in my heart. As a mother myself, I am deeply moved by the women who dedicate their lives to nurturing and shaping the next generation. In the innocent laughter of children, I find solace and inspiration, for they remind me of the purity and wonder inherent in the human experience.

My artwork “The Space Madonna/Robobaby”, epitomizes this intersection of motherhood and technological advancement. Inspired by classical depictions of Madonna with Child, this painting reimagines the traditional motif for the contemporary world. In place of the divine infant, the Robobaby represents the fusion of human emotion and technological innovation, symbolizing the complexities of modern motherhood in an era defined by space exploration and high-tech advancements.

Through my art, I seek to capture the essence of womanhood — the unconditional love, the tireless devotion, and the boundless hope for the future. As I reflect on the strength of being a woman, I am reminded of the resilience that resides within each of us. Despite the trials and tribulations we may face, we persevere, guided by our dreams and fueled by our passion.

MARINA FEDOROVA

On March 5th, the Cosmodreams team and artist Marina Fedorova hosted an art luncheon and art dinner with prominent influencers and media personalities in Dubai, UAE. It was an opportunity for cultural exchange and appreciation of the arts.

Representatives from Hia Magazine, Canvas Magazine, Emirates Woman, Gulf Business, Aviamost, Art Net, Russian Emirates, and The Kurator Magazine were among the distinguished attendees.

In the course of the event, Marina Fedorova presented her latest masterpiece, the Umayyad Mosque. This artwork stands as a testament to the fusion of imagination and reality. By merging her visionary world with the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East, Fedorova offers a profound artistic exploration. Enhanced with an augmented reality (AR) scenario this artwork offers a new level of immersive experience to the audience.

The event served as a platform for dialogue, reflection, and appreciation, fostering connections between diverse cultures and artistic expressions. It showcased the power of art to transcend boundaries and create meaningful connections in a globalized world.

As a creative person with a background in Fashion Design and Illustration, my artistic journey has always been accompanied by an immersion in global trends at the intersection of fashion, design, new technologies and classical art. Having dedicated my life to creative endeavors, I want to bring a unique perspective to the ever-evolving realms of art and fashion.

Continuing the direction set in 2023, in 2024 we’ll witness a return to cultural roots, traditions and folklore, a  deeper journey into fantastical realms echoing timeless tales. It’s more than an escape into fantasy; it’s a profound search and dive into a new space where dreams and reality intertwine seamlessly. The collective yearning for cultural connection beats within my heart, and I channel this tendency, bringing new chapters, and expanding the Cosmodreams universe.

Virtuality and augmented reality, once perceived as mere escapism, now serve as tools to deepen connection with the world. Technology seamlessly merges with our lives through innovations like the Meta Ray-Ban glasses, reshaping how the world is navigated. At the same time, they allow you to stay more in reality, removing the restrictive screens of smartphones.

The fusion of fashion and art has become a captivating trend, giving rise to projects that defy traditional boundaries. It’s a new playground where boundaries blur, resulting in a complex narrative that amplifies individual perspectives. Projects become deeper, and more multifaceted, and in the collision of different worlds, inspiration and new meanings are born. This convergence is not about losing voices; instead, it’s an opportunity to craft something profoundly layered. Multidisciplinarity is coming to the fore; limiting oneself to one approach is no longer relevant.

New exhibitions act as windows into the spirit of the time, showcasing a unique palette of influences and inspirations. Iris van Herpen’s cosmic fashion exploration, a visual spectacle in itself, delves into the celestial realms of couture. The interplay of light, modern materials, and avant-garde design creates a mesmerizing showcase that transcends conventional aesthetics. Pradasphere II exhibition curated by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, showcased a comprehensive exploration of the fashion house’s evolution, a complex artistic vision. The exhibition exemplifies the multidisciplinary approach in fashion, where diverse elements converge to shape a rich narrative.

A significant for me event — the Ethereal Echoes duo exhibition, held in Riyadh at the end of 2023, our collaboration with Saudi fashion designer Yousef Akbar. This joint exhibition mixed paintings, sculptures, and couture dresses, enhanced with augmented and virtual reality, added a unique immersive dimension, an experience that transcended the boundaries between art and fashion. Ethereal Echoes became a testament to the evolving trends, where collaboration and innovation intertwine to shape the future of artistic expression.

Microtrends, like leaves and twigs, delicately adorn its branches, weaving through the core of an artistic vision. Amid this dynamic dance, certain elements stand as the enduring trunk, grounding the creative exploration within the changing seasons, years, and tendencies. As I steer the ship of Cosmodreams, I’m not merely capturing trends; I’m channeling them through my unique lens. What will this turn into? We’ll see in 2024.

MARINA FEDOROVA

Cosmodreams proudly introduces “Palm Tree Lady”, an impressive 3D-printed sculpture that marks a historic moment in contemporary art in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Unveiled at the Ethereal Echoes duo exhibition of Marina Fedorova and Yousef Akbar, this masterpiece is not only a testament to technological innovation but a symbol of fertility, oasis, and the maternal power of love and care.

Marina Fedorova, the artist behind “Palm Tree Lady”, draws inspiration from the cultural richness of Al-Ahsa oasis of Saudi Arabia, showcasing a deep connection to the land and its people. The sculpture’s symbolism runs deep, with the elegant female figure draped in a flowing long dress, embodying the fluidity of water and the refreshing energy of an oasis. The artist pays homage to Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage by embracing the figure with intricately crafted palm leaves, symbolizing unity among the people. As a harmonious fusion of art and life, each palm leaf is meticulously crafted to reflect nature’s organic intricacies.

A unique augmented reality (AR) scenario has been exclusively developed for “Palm Tree Lady,” elevating the viewer’s interaction with the sculpture. This innovative addition to the Cosmodreams project creates a dynamic and immersive experience, setting a new standard for the intersection of creativity and technological advancement.

Sputnik Partners extends heartfelt gratitude to all who experienced the historic unveiling of “Palm Tree Lady” at the Ethereal Echoes duo exhibition. As the exhibition concludes, the sculpture remains a lasting symbol of artistic innovation and a profound reflection of the evolving contemporary art landscape in Saudi Arabia.

On 16 October, artist Marina Fedorova spoke to the readers of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia in the very heart of Dubai in a joint session with artist Kristel Bechara. The artist talk was hosted by Bazaar’s Deputy Editor Jessica Michault and revolved around NFTs and the significance of digital media in the contemporary art world.

Kristel Bechara recounted her experiences of working with and selling art through various platforms, stressing the intrinsic challenges and opportunities. Marina Fedorova shared her knowledge of the many ways in which contemporary artists use digital tools to augment traditional media, citing examples of this toolkit being instrumental in promoting the Cosmodreams project globally. Her points were illustrated by the Space Art Odyssey video being projected on an extra-large plasma screen; using the VR headsets provided in their promotional kits, the viewers could become fully immersed in the space-themed world of the Cosmodreams multiverse. A special version of this art video was created for screening at the event.

Moreover, the guests had a chance to view a total of 17 augmented reality scenarios and various sculptures through the CosmodreamsAR app, take selfies using an interactive mask, and share them on social media.

Ten artworks from the Cosmodreams project were displayed at the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX-2021). The conference was organised by the Roscosmos State Corporation in cooperation with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).

The principal goal of GLEX-2021 is to bring together the scholars, engineers, and designers from different countries aiming to study and explore the outer space, share their thoughts and plans, and discuss them with their colleagues.

The conference venue showcased ten artworks by Marina Fedorova representing five thematic clusters: Patriotism, Life on Earth, Life in Space, Legacies, and Deep Space. The conference took place on the grounds of the Tauride Palace, one of the most outstanding architectural, historical, cultural and garden art gems of St. Petersburg.

Now Cosmodreams is truly an amalgamation of art, cutting-edge technology, and also science!

Photographs courtesy of the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX-2021). Follow the link to view the full report of the event at the International Astronautical Federation website.

At 14:00 on 12 April, the special commemorative postmark of the Russian Post was applied to a limited edition (only 1,500!) of augmented reality postcards. The special cancellation ceremony marked the 60th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s first spaceflight. The ceremony was attended by the artist Marina Fedorova; Mikhail Belov, Director of the St. Petersburg Planetarium; Dmitry Serebrennikov, Northwest Macroregional Director of AO Russian Post; journalists; and the public.

From 5 through 12 April, every visitor to the St. Petersburg Planetarium received along with the ticket a postcard featuring an image of the Sunset painting. After that anyone wishing to send the card to their friends and family anywhere in the world only had to fill out the address and drop the card into a box.

‘I am very glad that the Cosmodreams project takes part in this interesting initiative. As an artist, I am thrilled to think that my works will be delivered to places all across Russia and the world,’ comments the artist Marina Fedorova.

Following the formal cancellation ceremony, the postcards bearing the unique postmark will be archived by the Cosmodreams project, Russian Post, and the St. Petersburg Planetarium.

On 12 April, the day of the 60th anniversary of the first human spaceflight, the Cosmodreams project presented a version of the Space Art Odyssey art video created specifically for viewing at the St. Petersburg Planetarium. The video was screened as part of the GAGARIN NIGHT programme dedicated to Yuri’s Night international celebrations.

The Space Art Odyssey art video amalgamates art and computer graphics. The ultra high definition video has a resolution of 8K. This time, and extended 15-minute version of the video was screened. The viewers felt like a part of the Cosmodreams multiverse: joining the characters of paintings on their breathtaking journey, they learned the reason for mankind’s roaming through the endless expanse of the Universe, investigated the remnants of the lost civilisation on the Moon, and heard the thrilling stories behind Marina Fedorova’s artworks.

The video was projected onto the dome of the St. Petersburg Planetarium’s Star Hall.

The large-scale SPA20CE21 project is currently showcased at the Zaryadye Park in Moscow. Space-themed exhibits are on view at the Media Center Hall and the Nature Center. On 4 March, new artworks by the contemporary Russian artists were added to the display at the Media Centre Hall, including four digital copies of Marina Fedorova’s paintings from her COSMODREAMS project.

‘I sought to create an idealistic utopia in which beautiful women have no need for spacesuits – unless they are “stuck” on Earth,’ explains the artist Marina Fedorova.

Two of the artworks exhibited in the Media Center Hall feature augmented reality scenarios. A QR code links to the Cosmodreams AR application that, once downloaded by the viewers, will transport them into the virtual reality of the Conversation and Sunset artworks. The application supports Android and iOS.

‘Digital paintings by the contemporary Russian artists and illustrators are the main focal point of our pavilion design in 2021. The artists’ signature treatment of the space theme, be it the endlessness of the Universe, intergalactic flights or alien intellect, is in itself an exciting journey that we invite our guests to join. The soundtrack to this journey is unique to each pavilion due to individual “space” radio stations broadcasting there,’ comments the Zaryadye press team.

The exhibits can be viewed through the end of June 2021. Free admission.

Photographs courtesy of the Zaryadye Park Press Office.