Hi everyone, it's been quite a long time since I posted an update. Finally slowly getting back to the Tango Dancers Project, and with pleasure releasing this new video.
Julia from Vancouver is sharing her unique #myfirsttangostory :).

Enjoy and let me know in the comments whose story you would like to hear next! If you or your friends has a great story to share, contact me and I will help you to figure out how to record it. 

LIKE & SUBSCRIBE to the Tango Dancers channel! Stay tuned with the new videos, more stories are coming in the next months.

WATCH the STORY  >>

warmly,
Tatiana

Hi guys, happy to be back to the Tango Dancers Blog and yesterday on July 9th I announced on FB my new project within the Tango Dancers Blog.

"My First Tango" is a new series of 50 stories told by TANGO DANCERS on video about their early tango experience. See the details below.  Make your story unique!

Videos will be uploaded to the TANGO DANCERS Youtube channel.   #myfirsttangostory  We will try to publish interviews on a weekly basis, it also depends how many people will take part in the project and submit their stories.

Do SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE  the videos!!
Look forward as well to hearing about your stories from you.

The goal of the project is to HAVE FUN sharing these stories and connect to each other and also to raise awareness about Argentine Tango in a creative way and encourage people to give a try to this beautiful dance or at least to learn about traditional tango music and artists, performers, instructors :).

Right now we are inviting to collaborate on this project all instructors & dancers with 5+ years of experience to share their fun / interesting / unusual story from their first class or milonga or EARLY TANGO EXPERIENCE. 

It would be also great to hear from people who live in different parts of the world which will allow us to know more about tango and dancers in other places.

See my personal video message for you on the page:

http://www.tangodancersblog.com/my-first-tango.html

And below is the first story :). Big hugs to SIERRA who agreed to share her story with us. She is not only an amazing tango dancer but also a very inspiring African style dancer / instructor and a great person.

P.S. I will try to record soon a video with tips on how to take a video or yourself for this project. *** I am also looking for a special effects artist who can help to create an intro & outro for this project and blog. Contact me  to collaborate.

Have a great week & tell your story, be creative! :)

Warmly,
Tatiana ❤

#myfirsttangostory #tangodancersblog

“FLOWER BREEZE... “ -  Anna Agurina
 
© Interview by Tatiana Balashova 
Photography © Anna Agurina, Dasha MasLove, Olivier Normandin, Yulia Zlobina, Alexander Putilin. 
 
Big thanks to all the photographers, who allowed to use their pictures in this publication!

Long ago in Russia I met an interesting girl named Anna, she had a totally different life then, however there was something dynamic, decisive about, and creative in her personality and it made me curious to see where life would actually take her. A few years later, we found out that Anna had moved to beautiful France to study perfumery, and now many of her Facebook friends enjoy picturesque views of France and close-ups of nature, as well as unique eye-catching collages - all created with a feeling of love for life, friends, aromas, nature and colors. Here is a story of a young beautiful woman, a true artist at heart  who is in love with her fascinating profession - perfumer.

Q1: Anna, tell us please, when did you first pay attention to perfumes and what fragrance it was?

We are all surrounded by a multitude of fragrances and smells from birth, and our olfactory senses play a crucial role in our discovery of the world. A perfumer hones these instincts and is constantly alert to ambient smells, ever ready to analyze and divine their source. Fragrance becomes an integral part of our everyday consciousness. I’ve loved perfumes from my childhood, but only began to study them seriously at perfumery school in Grasse (France). I remember the perfume that most astounded me was Vetiver Tonka Hermessance by Hermes I still love it.

Q2: Were you always interested in creating perfumes or did it happen unexpectedly? And what was the inspiration?

After high school I had to decide what to do with myself, and which occupation to choose, at the time I didn’t know a lot about myself, but I was sure I wanted to do something useful, and be able to work with my hands and see my creations. So I decided to study chemistry.  As fate would have it I never did actually work as a chemist. After college I became a brand manager of Nina Ricci and Prada perfumes, but always kept to this idea to develop my own creations.  And indeed, one day I realized that my life just didn’t make sense without some aspect of personal creativity.  As I had been passionate about perfumes for years, I left my job and applied to perfumery school in France.

Q3: It seems quite a lot of effort to immigrate to France, would you mind sharing how easy it was for you and what was helpful in that process?

Well, the most difficult part was getting accepted to a perfumery school. They only accept ten to twenty students per year, depending on the school. You have to be among the best candidates, pass difficult exams, and also demonstrate the depth of your motivation. In 2012 the competition was fierce - thirty people competing for just one place. Once you’ve been accepted you just need to apply for a student visa and arrange finances. Life is France is extremely expensive.

Q4: By the way, is there a big choice of schools out there for those who want to study to become a perfumer?

There are two main schools: ISIPCA in Versailles and GIP in Grasse. Both are in France. I studied at GIP.   

 

Q9:  Now let's talk about your favorite aromas. Which ones you are you most attached to?

I cannot attach myself to just one, just as I cannot choose my one favorite color. Actually, a perfumer should love all aromas, because there are no bad ones or goods ones, per se. Nevertheless I love woody notes and incense. My favourite perfume is Feminite du Bois. 

Q10:  How long does a flower retain its fragrance when it is taken from its natural setting?

The intensity of the smell depends on the climate and time of day. There is one French perfume, which is called L’Heure Blue by Guerlain. It was created 100 years ago. It’s meant to recreate the conditions at about 8 p.m., when the sun slowly sets, and the light becomes muted and blue. At this moment plants emit their strongest aroma. This perfume is dedicated to this particular wonder of nature. 

Q11:  Is it hard to combine a lot of aromas? What is considered an average acceptable amount, if there is such a thing?

I prefer to create short and clear formulas. Otherwise it will be a soup or aromatherapy.  And from my point of view every blend is a challenge.  Most of my formulas contain about 20-30 raw materials, but actually it’s possible to create a wonderful perfume using only 10-15 ingredients. My favorite perfumer Jean Claude Ellena (Hermes) is a master of short formulas. 

Q12: Who were the most famous perfumers which influenced this art? Who would you say influenced you most personally?  Have you ever had a chance to work or intern with any renowned perfumers, and if so, how was that experience?

There are many celebrities in the field, but I would like to mention Edmond Roudnitska, who created some of the best 20th-century  perfumes,  "Diorissimo" by Dior  and "Eau Sauvage". Not long ago his son launched one of  his father’s perfumes called “Le Parfum de Therese”, dedicated to his wife. You can find it in the Frederic Malle perfume collection. Edmond Roudnitska was a teacher of Jean Claude Ella, whose works had a huge influence on me. I like his ideas and how they are realized through the perfumes. I can recommend his book “The Alchemy of Scent”. 

Blitz questions: 

- Favorite tango music: Milonga del angelo, Astor Piazzolla

- Tango DJs:  Jens-Ingo Brodesser from Brussels

- Non-tango music: Bach

- Color: if I had to choose only one I'd prefer white. 

- What is your favorite flower? Peony

- What perfumes are your favorite? (for men and women) Feminite du bois Serge Lutens (unisex)

- Favorite dish / food: figs

- Which animal would you like to be if you were an animal in your next life?  Rhinoceros (joke)

- What dance would you dance if not tango? The Lindy Hop (I already dance it)

We are happy to open a series of interviews about Tango Dancers who have succeeded in another (interesting) occupation apart from their tango life, hope you will enjoy meeting them!

"Airborne Tango Dancer" - Marianella Michaud
© Interview  by Tatiana Balashova

Photography © Subbusclicks, Getty Images, Adrian Roup, Laura Mingo, Comsa Adina, Andrei Dragon.

Q 1:  Hi Marianella, tell us please a little bit about yourself. Where were you born and what kind of family you had?

I was born on a farm in Canada around goats and my closest neighbors were cows ;) 

My dad was a professional cyclist, as well as a coach. So I come from a very active family. I spent the first years of my life watching road cyclist’s trainings and races.

Q 2:  What kind of training did you have? 

I started rhythmic gymnastics at a very early age (3 years old!).

Can you tell us a little bit about what is it like to grow up in the environment of rhythmic gymnastics?  I know that little girls in Russia who are getting training in gymnastics and ballet usually are treated quite harshly, even though it does help to achieve a lot. What were the highlights and struggles of that time for you personally? 

The coaches I had through my life were all from the Soviet Union. I would lie if I were to say the training was easy and painless. A day as a rhythmic gymnast mostly consists of stretching… for long long hours! The fun part was to practice the manipulation of each apparatus (ball, hoop, clubs, ribbon and rope) and create my own choreography. 

The highlights of that time were obviously when I got to win medals or when I was chosen to be part of the Elite team of Quebec.

Q3: What was your most memorable moment of that time? 

I can never forget the first trip I made for a competition. Traveling around North America and missing school was awesome!  

But seriously, I consider myself very lucky that I got to discover the world at an early age. This made me so curious about other cultures and I believe it was the birth of my wanderlust!

Q 4:  When was the first time you heard about circus and went there? Do you remember your impressions? 

The only time I won tickets to assist a show in my life was as a child! I got to see a traditional circus show under a big top. I would say I was about 7 years old. My memories of that moment are very blurred, but I remember that I was intrigued and mesmerized by it. Being a child, it was like if I had an enigma to solve or a treasure to discover in that circus world.

Q 5: When did you make a decision to be a circus artist? 

I believe circus chose me! 

I was determined to become an actress. I studied dramatic arts until the day a friend of mine asked me to attend the audition of the National Circus School of Montreal with her. When I received the news that I was accepted (as well as her) in the most prestigious circus school of the world, I knew that circus had chosen me.

I soon realized that modern circus mixes dancing and acting and is the expression mode that matched me the most.

Q 6:  What companies have you worked for? 

I've been working for Cirque du Soleil for the past 3 years. Now performing in Las Vegas. Before that, I was touring the world with the show Cavalia.

Q 7:  What is your favorite performance /show you worked on? What did you have to do there? Why is it dear to your heart? :) 

Since my graduation from circus school, I have been very blessed to experience all kinds of performances. I don’t have a favorite show, since every single one of them made me grow as an artist. In the equestrian show Cavalia, I got to dance and fly around horses, which made it for sure unforgettable. Afterwards, working with Cirque du Soleil, I got to work with incredibly talented artists and had the chance to understudy the main character in addition to my work as a dancer and aerialist.

Q 8:  Have you ever have a thought of giving it up or maybe faced choosing a different path? 

Never!


Q 9:  If to speak about names of people in circus who are your “teachers/ mentors” and what were/are your inspirations? 

I was lucky to have a big team of coaches and artistic advisers supporting me at the circus school.  

But my inspiration to always move forward was my dad, who was an athlete himself. He always encouraged me to push my limits, especially in harsh times.

Q 10:  Is there anything in that career (sphere) which you would like to try, maybe challenge yourself more or just for fun? 

It’s funny because in every show I have done to this date, I was always asked to challenge myself and learn something completely new! A quality of a circus artist is also to have the guts and will to try new things all the time. No matter how dangerous or painful it can be ;) 

Eventually, I would enjoy flying on an aerial apparatus I have never worked on before. 

I would also love using my acting skills once more and work as a character in a show again.

Q 11:  Would you want your child (children) to belong to the circus life in some way? 

I would be glad and proud if they do anything they want… with passion and with love.

Q 12:  What do you think are the main myths about circus artists (circus)? 

People think we spend our entire day training! We do workout, but doing two shows a day keeps us pretty fit. Basically, trainings are for learning new tricks and prevention of injuries. 

Q 13: Now let’s talk about other sides of your life. 

When did Argentine tango come into your life?  How long have you been dancing tango and what inspired you to try it?

A friend of mine kept talking about tango, at the same time as I was searching for a dance to incorporate into my trapeze act as a student in circus school. I finally went to a trial class at a local tango school in Montreal. This was back in 2004. At the end of the class, the couple danced one tango. I couldn’t believe my eyes. This dance was improvised! I had to find the mysteries about this dance. 

I thought once I finished combining tango with my trapeze act, I would be done with tango! We are never done with tango! 

What fascinated me about this dance is that no matter how many classes I was taking or how often I would dance, I kept learning new skills all the time. To this day, I am captivated by tango and I keep practicing and taking classes, because I always see improvement in my dance! 

Q 14:  How often do you dance tango usually? Is it mostly at bigger events or small milongas as well? What are you favorite places to dance at and why? 

I usually dance very often! Almost every night, depending the city I live in. 

I love to support small milongas. They are my favorite! 

Nowadays, performing circus arts ten times a week, I am not dancing as much. But I travel from time to time to dance at festivals. I was lucky to performed and teach this year in a beautiful tango festival in Cluj, Romania. 

My favorite place to dance would be La Viruta in Buenos Aires. Because it brings dancers of all ages and styles. It’s an after hour for tango dancers :).

Q 15:  What was the most unforgettable tango demo (performance) you’ve seen and where was it? 

I would say the first tango performance I have seen in Argentina. I was new to tango and saw the performance of Chico Frumboli and Juana Sepulveda. I had no idea it was possible to dance tango this way. Back then, I had only been to local milongas in my city. You can imagine the shock!

Q 16:  Anyone in particular who inspires you in tango? 

Geraldine Rojas, Graciela Gonzalez, Alejandra Mantiñan and many other!

Q 17:  What would you say to people who consider taking up circus arts as a career/ vocation? 

It is an incredible career. I got to work with such talented artists and was so inspired by my colleagues. 

But be ready to travel lot’s and to miss your loved ones :P 

Q 18:  And what would you say to people who consider taking Argentine tango as a vocation/ career? :) 

Good question! I could write so much about this subject.

Tango is a big community. There is lot’s of competition out there. To become a professional tango dancer and teacher requires hard work and real devotion. 

Q 19:  Can you tell us about your plans for 2014-2015?  

I have quite a few dreams… But I’m not a big fan of planning. 

Q 20:  If you could work on any project anywhere you want, what would it be? 

I would love to eventually be in a touring show again.

BLITZ QUESTIONS:

- favorite tango music:  Pasional; Pugliese y Moran

- tango DJs: I’ll just name a few! In United States; Shorey Myers, Avik Basu. In Europe; Florin Bilbiie, Mihran Şigaher, La Rubia

- non-tango music: Nina Simone

 - your favourite quotation about tango?  
"Tango que me hiciste mal y que, sin embargo, quiero"

- color? Depends on my mood ;)

- what is your favorite flower? Camellias 
 


- favorite dish / food Peruvian

- which animal would you like to be if you were an animal in your next life?  A bird! No need of passport and planes. I could just go anywhere all the time.

- what dance would you dance if not tango? Flamenco
 


- what film would you recommend watching? Since we were talking about circus, I would say “La belle verte”

- what circus shows would you recommend watching? Corteo, La Verità, The Beatles Love, any show from “Les 7 doigts de la main”

- what place would you choose for a romantic trip? Venice  

- what place would you live if you could live anywhere?  Anywhere I could have all my loved ones together.

- who would you like to say “thank you” to?  My dad

- Your  motto: Make of your life a dream, and of a dream, a reality.

Anything else you would like to say to the TangoDancers Blog’s readers?  
 Namaste

Thank you, Marianella! Good luck with everything!

An update on the blog posts (call for likes :):  the hosting company of the website made some changes to their system and ALL likes were lost from the posts of their blogs :((. Thank you for your previous feedback! We really appreciated it and are sorry to lose them! There were about 45-90 likes on the interviews, which was great and an honor! *** If you feel like supporting us and "liking" the published interviews one more time on this website, we would appreciate, (there is no need to share it on FB if you don't want to, we just need to show to some potential funders of the film and project that the blog's posts have some audience and feedback/ *** You are ALWAYS WELCOME TO COMMENT or send us FEEDBACK through the contact form. If you would like to suggest a particular Dancer, DJ, Photographer or another artist for an interview, let us know! 
THANK YOU for your support & enjoy the upcoming interviews! 

So you think you are not addicted to tango? :)
Here is a chance to check this out!

Btw, if you've seen similar posts about tango addiction please post links to the website
Symphoms of a Tango Addict... (article)

Take a look at the interesting survey conducted in Buenos Aires a few years ago to find out what music is popular at the milongas. I wonder how the situation has been changing through years? :) ***

http://www.centraltango.com/BuenosAires/BsAsMilongaMusicSurvey08.pdf

Interview © Tatiana Balashova 

... It's been over a year since I've heard from Oliver Kolker (one of my favorite tango instructors and dancers) that he started working on a feature project with Argentine tango. There was not much detail at that time available yet however my curiosity was already up high and it's exciting to get to know now that the movie "Glorias del Tango" will soon meet its audience.

Filmmakers say that the film is born 3 times: once in the writer's head, then on the movie set, and later on the editing table. I'd add as well that the film's journey starts a new important turn when it's being released. Distribution is a huge part of the pre- and post-production and often filmmakers have to think about the ways to distribute the film way before the film is being shot even.  For an outsider (an average viewer) making movies might look glamorous and fun. Those who are connected with filmmaking or have ever been on the set probably know that it's enormous work of a crew of 10-1000+ people and like a huge spaceship which one has to take care about and monitor every small thing.

We would like to thank you Oliver for taking time during these busy days to answer the questions for the TDBlog! There is one more big step to make the movie a success, please, dear TDBlog readers, enjoy the interview and feel free to read more information on the links in the interview. Let's welcome a new film with Argentine tango into the world.

Q1:  First of all, Oliver, tell us, please, how it all started. Have you been connected to cinema and filmmaking before? How did you get the idea of the film?

Well I studied drama in Argentina for many years, since 1995. I’ve done several commercials, TV and Print (MARTINI/BACCARDI) among them. After that MARTINI commercial I was able to buy my first car! Jajajajajaja. Since then  I’ve done acted in three movies, two in which I’ve played the leading role and the third one I played a cowboy. Great experience. I attended film school for in 2001, but I left because the way they taught didn’t stimulate me.

The idea for “ Glorias del Tango”  came when I was in NYC in 2005. The Tango Nuevo movement was just starting to become a big thing. For me,  having leaved in Argentina for practically my whole life, this new movement was a surprise, since I had never heard the term Tango Nuevo. For me Tango was only one thing. Then I realized by working and living  in NYC and traveling around the US, that a lot of people loved to dance, they movement, the playful possibilities of combining  different elements that Tango had to offer such as, Sacadas, Ganchos, Lapices, Volcadas, Enroques etc… but also many DID NOT connect with the music, in fact I heard a couple of times people saying “I can’t stand Tango Music, but I love the dance."

Many people enjoyed dancing Tango steps to other music; dancing to Janis Joplin, The Beatles, you name it. Was this wrong? Not at all, but in the beginning I have to admit I was a little shocked but I also understood that people weren’t disrespecting the dance at all, they simply did not connect with its music. Their roots where different.  So instead of writing a blog about it, I thought: Tango is such a deep and vast art form, a popular expression that has independently basically developed in four branches; MUSIC, DANCE, SINGING and POETRY, we can even speak in Tango lyrics! and that was it. We have to understand that tango talks about, Love, Friendship, Parents, Jail, Jobs, Romance, Betrayal, Food, Advice etc… life itself.

Q2:  Was it hard to find a crew or you already knew who u want to work with?.. Can you tell us a little bit about the leading actors.

  Yes, and NO. Hernan Findling my co-producer has been in Argentinean movie business the same amount of time I’ve been involved in Tango almost 16 years. I was shooting a movie for the US market in Argentina and he was the director. I approached him and pitch my idea. I said I was writing a script and he told me: "When you finish, you must register your work, the I’ll read it and if I like it I’ll produce it". So that was that.  I offered for him to Co-Direct it with me.  He took care of everything, finding the crew,  getting the permits, doing the paperwork. He also helped with getting financing  for the project from,  INCAA,  the National Institute that finances movie projects in Argentina. To access this grant you must compete and submit your work to be approved by a committee. The funny thing is that at the first submission I was rejected. This was in 2010, so I had to re write and finally I was approved in July 2012 after my friend Lynn helped me re write it.

(note by TDB: see more information about the actors in the teaser video and on the websites in the end of the interview!)

Q3:  Is the script yours? Did have study how to write screenplays or just went with intuition?

100% of the script is mine. The whole thing stems from my imagination. This was so difficult. I had the idea in my mind but I didn’t know how to write a script. The first thing I did was study script writing.  For almost 7 months, I read and read and read everything I could get my hands on.

I had  graduated with a Business Administration degree,  but after having read  all these books on script writing, I thought, “Why had I wasted my university years studying business”.  Everything I was reading concerning movies and script writing was so much fun and easier to understand. All those hours of TV that I watched when I was a kid (my parents used to be mad at me for this) made so much sense.  
So I wrote the first scene and showed to Silvina (Valz) and she said: I LOVE IT, KEEP GOING… So that was it. They key thing also was that I did not pressure myself at all, if I felt like writing I did, and sometimes I spent  three months without writing. I could afford to do this because writing was not my prime source of income. Silvina was a big help in my being able to accomplish my goals. Some of the scenes were actually written by Silvina. When the script was rejected the first time, I went to a script doctor who helped me rewrite some scenes.

Q4:  When the production was started and what kind of funding it was?

We had 3 weeks of Pre Production, 5 weeks of Production (SHOOTING) and we will have between 2 and 3 months of Post Production. Today we are still at the post production stage.  
Funds came from INCAA and from private investors. Oren Dobronsky is one of the investors in this project and his help, vision and trust has been huge.
We are in the middle of a Kickstarter Campaign in order to raise some extra cash  to help with the post production and the Argentine theatrical release  . So far we are doing amazingly well. Our goal is $50,000 and so far we have raised around $45,500 and we still have 5 days to go. The international Tango community has been a TREMENDOUS help . It’s amazing how much love and support they have shown us.

Q5:  Which language will the film, Spanish?

The movie is shot entirely in SPANISH, our plan is to subtitle the movie in as many languages as possible, English, French, German, Russian, Turkish, etc…

Q6:  What is the message of the film? What would you and your colleagues like viewers to take away?

That is great question, I did not write the story to send a message or a statement. Basically I wanted to to take the Tango Art form to another level by telling a story of Drama and Romance within the elements of Tango.   

Q7:  Will tango dancers be surprised somehow when watching the movie? :)

I can’t wait to see Silvina Valz in the film for example. You know, that special feeling when you see someone you know on TV or in the movie :).
We’ ll have to wait and see. You have to understand we’re aiming at NON Tango people to enjoy the film.

Q8: What is your distribution plan in brief, how people will be able to see the movie? Will it be submitted to the festivals first?

Yes. We are in talks with major distributors in Argentina and so far we have been invited to participate in the prestigious Mar del Plata Film Festival, which is the only Class “A” Festival in Latin America. We believe film festivals are  key  to  distributing the movie. Sundance is a big goal in our distribution plan; not easy but not Impossible.  

Q9:  I know that you have an "all or nothing" crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for "Glorias del Tango", which means only in the case the goal is reached or surpassed you can have access to that funding.  Where people can find more information about the film, the campaign and maybe behind the scenes materials? (There are a few days left and I hope more people will contribute to the project to be part of it and enjoy watching the movie soon!)

O.: the links are the following:

KICKSTARTER crowdfunding campaign –
Glorias del Tango 

Information, pictures...

www.gloriasdeltango.com
www.ferminlapelicula.com

Q10:  When you worked hard on the project, did you still have energy for dancing and teaching?

Yes of course I go dancing 3 times a week. I am not teaching right now.

T:  Ok, thank you! Good luck with the project!
I am proud to be among the backers! :) Can't wait to see the movie and hope it will have a great success at the festivals and among tango and non-tango people.

2013 © Tango Dancers Blog
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Note / September 2th, 2013 - Thanks to the support of many contributors including tango dancers, the crowdfunding campaign for the project "Glorias Del Tango" has successfully reached their goal in time!  Which proves the power of filmmakers and those who love them and the movies! :)  THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

Look forward to watching the film! :)

It's hard to dance tango without proper shoes.  What kind of shoes will suit you it depends on many factors: type of feet, personal taste, dance floors you dance and practice on, price, accessibility and location... 

There are a few popular brands which most people have tried and many have come to come. Comme il Faut is for sure one of them. Enjoy this nice short documentary from Cool Hunting.

"Mosaic of Impressions"
Interview & translation © Tatiana Balashova

Today I am glad to talk to a talented photographer from Russia - Alexander Zabara.

When I was a child I did not take any pictures, got my first still camera after I came back from the army. It happened by chance and the story (“destiny”) of that camera was kind of complex. It was a cult camera Lomo-CA, it had a long history of being passed from hands to hands and I can only guess what it had seen before it got into my hands. I took a lot of pictures on it and it is still on my desk.

The first subjects of inspiration were the city and nature. Actually, those two themes I’ve been shooting all my life. As far as tango photography goes, I came to that reflecting on the city as a live organism.  Also, it was the tango-project which pushed me towards my new project “Free Forest” which I’ve been working on during last years.

Q 2:  Did you have any training in photography or mostly learned through practice? What helped you to develop your photographic style and how can you define it?

It was way later after I had got my first photo camera when I decided to take up photography more seriously. After finishing art school and working in design area I took a professional course at the Moscow Academy of Photography. That education gave me a strong motivation in creativity. Of course, it’s not just through education but rather through trial-and-error learning that you can develop a vision, find subjects, plots and the way material can be presented. Practice forms you as an artist... As far as my own photography style goes, I find it a bit strange to talk about that, especially keeping in mind that I am shooting so diverse projects. My tango-project was just one of them. I do what I do. If someone is eager to give it a name, I don’t mind.

Q 3:  Who are your favorite photographers? (in general and also the ones who take pictures of  dance and tango?)  Are there any other artists that influenced your vision?

There are three photographers who each at their own time influenced how I see the world:  Henri Cartier-Bresson, Alex Webb and Gueorgui Pinkhassov. Also some particular  paintings, especially by French impressionists and William Turner had a big impact on me. Creative works of those who take pictures with tango did not really influence me.

Q 4:  What are your favorite genres in photography?

I’ve been always fond of and have respected what Magnum Photos photographers are doing, especially their genre and reportage photography. As for me I value much more what you can see and find rather than what you can make-up and design in photography.

 Q 5:   What do you think about contemporary photography? (Reportage, portrait, fashion, commercial…)

Well, what IS contemporary photography?   It’s what all photographers on earth are doing in the present time… Who would dare to comment on and evaluate such a variety?

… Can’t say that I am keeping a close eye on current trends in photography.  Naturally, I follow the news, and come across some pictures from time to time. The place, where photography is now, where we have instagram, social networks, that lightness of taking a “snap”, actually results in depreciation of photography as such. Contemporary means of communication give photography a role of meaningless paillettes which fly down through the garbage chute. And such tendency is seen in many works shown at miscellaneous competitions, presented at exhibitions of contemporary photography.

Photo images of many renowned artists, including those who take prizes, are often very emasculated (“over-refined”) works, which have only consuming everything emptiness behind their effective façade. I don’t think that there are worse photography works or authors, I’ve seen that in many talented photo works that emerging photographers are doing and many renowned masters. However if you ask me about the tendency – it’s like that. That’s why to me personally it does not matter much how exactly the picture was taken, in which genre, whether it’s effective (impressive) in its look or not, how it was edited. What is important to me first of all is what it represents, what stands BEHIND the photo image and photographer.

Q 6:  Do you like working in projects or prefer shoot by shoot (a variety of genres)?

Sometime I take one shot after another and feel that there is something uniting them, then through years of work they get assembled into a common picture like a mosaic.

At other times I have a particular vision on a notion or event, and in that case I am looking for a visual language trying to take pictures in various genres.

- you have some great non-tango reportage pictures, for example the militia people on the Red Square and others… Did you do them spontaneously or was it an assignment / part of some project?

The pictures you mentioned, as well as tango photography, and other projects devoted to hip-hop culture and rock dance – all those series are like pieces of mosaic to me. They gradually help me build the picture of the city, the way I feel it.

Q 7:  Do you ever take part in photo competitions?  What is your attitude towards competitions?

Yes, when I studied photography I took part in competitions a couple of times. That helped me to realize their uselessness and I stopped applying. I am not competing with anyone and I am not a swimmer or runner. Photo competitions is for me as absurd as tango competitions.

Q 8:  Can you tell a bit more about the impressionistic series which you made? (the one you have on the English version of your website).

This project is the most important and most personal to me. I’ve been working on it for 6 years already. It started spontaneously, there were a few shots which kind of appeared as answers to the questions I asked to the world around. I am just taking part in creating those images and  very glad to feel that relation, connection. I bring those images from various parts of the world – Portugal, Carelia, from Altai mountains and Nepal, from Brittany and Crimea, and many many others. The world is much bigger than what we can see. All the world’s harmony is in each of us, in each tree and each stone. I am happy that working on those images helps me not only feel all that but even also share with others.

- There was one other video clip with a psychodelic feel “The Bulgarian Voices Angelite – Wave”, can you tell something about this slide show?

This video clip was part of the monochrome series “Gwenn ha Du”. It differs a lot from other forest images and was mostly shot in Celtic places in Brittany.  The clip is fully painted, it is not photography.

Hundreds of pictures were painted and assembled into a video. This project is personal and not done on request. Not sure if musicians are aware of that video or not, I did spoke to one of the musicians of “Huun-Huur-Tu” and he did not mind me doing it.

That series was a very difficult project for me, the idea had been growing inside me for a long time and later after I created the photo series, I felt something still remained untold. So I added this video to the project. That composition for me is an audio reincarnation of what I felt in those places.

These pictures look the way they were painted actually, no editing in photoshop was involved. I put my daughter at desk and gave her a plane table (she was 8 years old at that time), put some music and suggested that she can paint something. She was dragging the brush around spontaneously and I would change the music and save the result discreetly. We repeated that experience a few times however as soon as spontaneity was gone these images disappeared and ordinary children’s pictures appeared – grass, butterflies, horses. For me personally it was an important confirmation that the way I chose for my personal spontaneous projects was the right direction.

Q 10:  What do you think can help a beginner photographer to develop and find his/her personal style?

Don’t know really, I’ve never tried to develop my style. I think that if a photographer has something to say and if he/she is trying to speak with images honestly without copying others – that can be his/her own unique style.

Q 11:   What equipment are you using (if you don’t mind sharing that information) and what are your favorite lenses? Do you prefer working with natural light or enjoy using studio  / on-location lighting as well?

Depending on the project I use different lighting. I used to use Canon DSLRs for taking pictures with tango (have changed a few cameras throughout years), wide angle lenses, always working with available light. For street dance shoots direct flash light always comes in handy. Free forest project was shot with a variety of lenses including monocle and pinhole ones. During the last years, I have been shooting on mirrorless cameras by Fujifilm gradually letting go of DSLRs when doing urban photography.

Q 12:  Is photography your main occupation or do you specialize in something else as well?

Apart from working as a professional photographer, I teach at the Moscow Academy of Photography where used to study myself. My course is devoted to digital manipulation (editing) of photo images, and for the last 9 years it has helped photographers learn how to edit photo shoots efficiently, arrange and optimize the workflow.

Q 13:  What are you doing in free time? Any hobbies?

I try to spend time in the nature, I am fond of mountain and forest tracking. I read, listen to the music, go to the lectures on history of culture and art. However, photography is still my main hobby.

Q 14:  - When did Argentine tango came into your life? How long have you been dancing tango and what inspired you to try it?  When was the first time you realized that this dance can be something special for you (started enjoying tango :)?

I discovered tango in 2004 thanks to a friend of mine, also a photographer, who used to dance tango. I once saw a few couples circling around the embankment of Moscow river under the sunset light, and fell in love with that dance at first sight. Tango strongly influenced my life. It turned it around, opened new horizons and allowed to understand a lot about myself, people and the world around. I took a lot of classes, went to milongas and for two years dropped photography completely – tango was absolutely everything for me at that time. Then I tried to render the expressiveness of that dance in pictures, looking for various solutions to reflect what I feel in the dance.

- Are you still dancing tango?

Lately I’ve rarely been to milongas, and if I do go, I prefer taking pictures.

Q 15:  Is (was) it hard to combine taking pictures at tango events and dancing? How do you usually balance work and leisure?

At some point I realized that it’s better to devote yourself to one thing. My inner photographer usually wins over the dancer in me.

Q 16:   What was the most unforgettable tango you experienced and where was it?

It’s too personal to speak about it :).

Q 17:  What would you recommend aspiring photographers? 

Listen to yourself and look at the world around. 

Q 18: Is there any photographer you would like to learn from (intern with)? 

People who I would like to learn from are not photographers. 

Q 19:  What are your favorite pictures of your own work?  

The one that is not taken yet. 

 Q 20:  your plans for 2013?...  If you could work on any project anywhere you want, what would it be? 

As the famous saying reads – “a true way to make God laugh is to tell him about your plans”. 

If I could work on that project now, I would go where I was a month ago – the mountains of Nepal.

Blitz questions: 

- favorite tango music:  valses :) 
- tango DJs:  Felix Picherna 
- non-tango music:  celtic music, word music, mantras 
- color?  255/255/255 
- what is your favorite flower?  My daughter :) 
- favorite dish / food  - seafood 
- which animal would you like to be if you were an animal in your next life?   
I am hoping that in my next life I will stay a human being [Symbol]  
- what dance would you dance if not tango? -  Uprock! 
- what is your favorite film?  - 2001: A Space Odyssey  
- what Russian films would you recommend watching?  “Stalker” by Andrei Tarkovsky 
- book you recommend to read:  Wassily Kandinsky “Concerning the Spiritual in Art” 
- what place would you choose for a romantic trip?  Sintra, Portugal 
- what place would you live if you could live anywhere?  Anywhere 
- favorite non-tango place in Moscow  which you would show your friend (except your home)?  
  Gorky Park 
- if you had a chance to bring time back what would you do differently in your life? 
  If I changed something I would not be who I am. 
- Who would you like to say “thank you” to?   To all human beings 
- Your  motto:  Do what must and come what may 

- Anything else you would like to say to the TangoDancers Blog’s readers? 
Be happy, dear everyone! Thank you!