Hi!
If you are here, it means you are curious why there are paintings, diptychs, squares, words, or even a naked woman in the video =)
Some people know me as a classic videographer "from the old days". With this work I would like to expand these boundaries a little
Some people know me as a classic videographer "from the old days". With this work I would like to expand these boundaries a little
DUALITY
The title has many manifestations:
I have been waiting for the wedding of Angela & Misha for 13 years! Since I filmed their Love Story back in 2010. I love diving into projects, this time the depth of immersion was maximum... I would like you to be able to look inside this video and revisit the adventure of its creation
This analysis is dual also =)
The first part was kindly provided by Kristina Verberg, the author and planner of the wedding. She will introduce you deeper into the couple's background (because it matters) and the event itself
In the second part I will talk in detail about the editing process: creation of an audio mix from several pieces of music, research into avant-garde artists and film directors of the early 20th century, and frame-by-frame analysis of the video
It will be a bit long and stuffy journey (as it was in reality), so pour yourself a tasty drink and enjoy the dive
- two lovers
- two authors
- two different wedding days
- two sides of publicity
- two avant-garde artists
I have been waiting for the wedding of Angela & Misha for 13 years! Since I filmed their Love Story back in 2010. I love diving into projects, this time the depth of immersion was maximum... I would like you to be able to look inside this video and revisit the adventure of its creation
This analysis is dual also =)
The first part was kindly provided by Kristina Verberg, the author and planner of the wedding. She will introduce you deeper into the couple's background (because it matters) and the event itself
In the second part I will talk in detail about the editing process: creation of an audio mix from several pieces of music, research into avant-garde artists and film directors of the early 20th century, and frame-by-frame analysis of the video
It will be a bit long and stuffy journey (as it was in reality), so pour yourself a tasty drink and enjoy the dive
DUALITY
PART I
The Event
Wedding Event in Two Acts
inspired by the Russian cultural code
In modern society, among couples in love, there are harmonious, there are beautiful, there are amazing in their misalliance, and the union of Angela and Misha is intriguing. Both are absolutely self-sufficient and independent. Each is interesting in self-realization. Everyone knows them, but almost no one knows about them.
1
They have been together for 13 years
2
The mechanics and nature of their relationships are not available to anyone except their family. Romanticism, the manifestation of feelings - is alien to them. Their personal is closed exactly as much as their public and social life is open.
3
The couple's personal life is closed and never available to the public,
even to the closest circle.
The couple's public life is discussed and savored in the media, welcome guests at openings, always "on the list" at presentations and openings,
speakers, professionals in their fields
even to the closest circle.
The couple's public life is discussed and savored in the media, welcome guests at openings, always "on the list" at presentations and openings,
speakers, professionals in their fields
INFLUENCERS.
HEDONISTS.
SECRETLY IN LOVE.
Angela
One of the most recognizable girls of the city club community, director of the portal about city life and events geometria.ru
Misha
The most sought-after architect of the city, founder of the MISH studio bureau. Author of private and public projects in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod
DUALITY
THE WEDDING IS DIVIDED INTO TWO DAYS
PERSONAL
a rural wedding with closest family members
PUBLIC
a party for friends and colleagues
DAY ONE
COUNTRY WEDDING
Location
Suzdal is the only museum city in Russia, which is about to celebrate its 1000th anniversary.
Suzdal House is a unique project, where traditional Russian style and modern design are amazingly intertwined. The facade has been preserved in its original form, and the backyard and terrace are designed in Scandinavian style
Suzdal House is a unique project, where traditional Russian style and modern design are amazingly intertwined. The facade has been preserved in its original form, and the backyard and terrace are designed in Scandinavian style
Details
The symbol of the wedding was chosen as a white canvas, the key flower - chamomile. We added some of the main elements of traditional arts and crafts - Krestetskaya stitch and Yelets lace.
We wanted to avoid the "hackneyed" interpretation of Slavic aesthetics, to demonstrate the tandem of purity and laconism. The shape of the canvases and the hanging scheme did not appear by chance, in the process of searching for ideas and solutions, we remembered how our grandmothers dried freshly washed laundry in the yard of their house.
We wanted to avoid the "hackneyed" interpretation of Slavic aesthetics, to demonstrate the tandem of purity and laconism. The shape of the canvases and the hanging scheme did not appear by chance, in the process of searching for ideas and solutions, we remembered how our grandmothers dried freshly washed laundry in the yard of their house.
Program
The cult of home cooking has always been present in Russian families. Gastronomy is the language of love
We were inspired by family stories and developed a personal storytelling dinner, where the chef presented the dish and its ingredients, while the guests tasted and remembered family stories, argued about how it really was and laughed a lot.
This created an incredibly homely and warm
atmosphere of the wedding feast, brought the guests closer together.
We were inspired by family stories and developed a personal storytelling dinner, where the chef presented the dish and its ingredients, while the guests tasted and remembered family stories, argued about how it really was and laughed a lot.
This created an incredibly homely and warm
atmosphere of the wedding feast, brought the guests closer together.
DAY TWO
SECULAR event
PRIVATE occasion
Everyone was waiting for it, everyone was talking about it
ONLY A SELECT FEW WERE PRESENT.
Russian Black Ball
Black is the couple's favorite color. Drama and Uncompromising. The Russian word "ball" comes from the word "to pamper".
Concept
Mikhail is the creator of the cult ARCHPRT parties. For several years, the project gathered the creative intelligentsia and the avant-garde public for dancing until the morning. Each party was woven from audio-visual experiments of architects, artists and musicians. ARCHPRT is for fun.
It was the main inspiration to create the idea of a wedding party based on fantasies about Russian balls of the 19-20th centuries of artists, actors, poets of the Silver Age. We don't know how it was! We fantasize! Beautiful people, exclusively in black, dance and indulge.
It was the main inspiration to create the idea of a wedding party based on fantasies about Russian balls of the 19-20th centuries of artists, actors, poets of the Silver Age. We don't know how it was! We fantasize! Beautiful people, exclusively in black, dance and indulge.
Details
The main task of the organizer-decorator tandem was to create a near-theatrical, extraordinary, functional decor, designed in black tones, with an emphasis on non-standard materials. A significant element was the stage with a black curtain, which served as the center of attraction for guests throughout the event. In the center of the hall there was a bar, a wine station with a sommelier.
Another bright solution was to zone the buffet area and present it as a painting - a "Black Square" on a white canvas, with a huge vintage chandelier of the 20th century - a family
heirloom of the groom - in the center of the table.
Another bright solution was to zone the buffet area and present it as a painting - a "Black Square" on a white canvas, with a huge vintage chandelier of the 20th century - a family
heirloom of the groom - in the center of the table.
We allowed ourselves self-irony in the program
and turned it upside down
and turned it upside down
Entrance of the Bride
Angela appears before the public without the groom and says, “I’ve been waiting for this for 13 years, girls, I’m sorry, I can’t wait any longer!” She throws the bride’s bouquet into the hall
Entrance of the Groom
Misha appears in the hall and invites all the bachelors to sit on the poufs, get the “student architect” props (charcoal pencil and paper) and sleep masks
Lady Beatrice
The appearance of the charming Lady Beatrice in the hall, a moment and she is absolutely naked – the gentlemen take off their masks and begin the task of painting a drawing from life. The best one gets her! (as a model with a subscription for a year)
Cake
The guests already understand the course of events and are waiting for it, CAKE! Certainly black... but no, it is as classic as possible,
cream and white!
The couple puts on black leather butcher's aprons,
the groom takes a cleaver and "wham!"
cream and white!
The couple puts on black leather butcher's aprons,
the groom takes a cleaver and "wham!"
Ceremony
The host begins to conduct a frankly saccharine-romantic ceremony, Misha comes on stage, Angela appears accompanied by her brother and it seems the program has gotten on the right track, but then she appears - THE WOMAN - DRAG QUEEN Evelina Grand, an old acquaintance of the couple and all the guests. And of course, she made a scandal, roasting the guests and the couple! And a Cabaret show!
Kristina Verberg
wedding planner
DUALITY
PART II
The Edit
PROCESS
Puzzles & Rebuses
For me, the editing process is like assembling a puzzle. Thousands of different pieces, infinite number of options, and you never know which one is exactly right until you try it.
Sometimes you have to give up halfway, delete everything to hell and start over again. Sometimes you can assemble a puzzle in a couple of days, sometimes in a couple of weeks. This time the journey was noticeably longer than usual.
My internal dissonance between the country wedding and the black ball was so strong that at first I just wanted to make two separate videos. But Kristina convinced me that this dissonance needs to be used.
Choosing the right music is always a difficult task for me. Sound puzzle seemed completely unsolvable: a track in a folk Slavic style, in the right mood, with interesting pace & development.
Sometimes you have to give up halfway, delete everything to hell and start over again. Sometimes you can assemble a puzzle in a couple of days, sometimes in a couple of weeks. This time the journey was noticeably longer than usual.
My internal dissonance between the country wedding and the black ball was so strong that at first I just wanted to make two separate videos. But Kristina convinced me that this dissonance needs to be used.
Choosing the right music is always a difficult task for me. Sound puzzle seemed completely unsolvable: a track in a folk Slavic style, in the right mood, with interesting pace & development.
“
Fine, let there be dissonances; you can build a musical idea on them, but there must certainly be meaning, a single and obligatory law of harmony for all
I have to admit that I procrastinate quite a lot, even though I am a supporter of “productive procrastination”
I have a guilty pleasure in watching videos on music theory, my musical youth left its mark here too
And then one day the YouTube algorithms threw me one video...
I have a guilty pleasure in watching videos on music theory, my musical youth left its mark here too
And then one day the YouTube algorithms threw me one video...
"Das Schlaraffenlad"
Counrty of lazy people
Counrty of lazy people
Pieter Bruegel
KAVAL SVIRI
a folk Bulgarian song with awesome power and cool dissonances
- slavic cultural code
- musical dissonance
- the first element of the musical mosaic was found
KAVAL SVIRI
by The Nightingale Trio
Hooked up by this song, I began to look for different versions of its performance.
The Nightingale Trio's version sounded very soft and could be overlaid with other versions of Kaval Sviri.
The Nightingale Trio's version sounded very soft and could be overlaid with other versions of Kaval Sviri.
KAVAL SVIRI
by Dark Music Composer
And when i found this version, it became completely clear that Kaval Sviri would definitely be the leitmotif of the whole video
But it turned out that several versions of "Kaval Sviri" couldn't be connected well together
The transition sounded too abrupt
And I continued searching...
The transition sounded too abrupt
And I continued searching...
VOICE OF WATER
ONUKA
Associations with the sound of church bells and the ticking of a clock arose instantly
13 years of their relationship is a long period of time. There's a Russian proverb "a lot of water has flowed under the bridge"
The second minute of the track matched very well with the mysterious vibe of the black ball
13 years of their relationship is a long period of time. There's a Russian proverb "a lot of water has flowed under the bridge"
The second minute of the track matched very well with the mysterious vibe of the black ball
UYAVI
ONUKA feat. DakhaBrakha
Final part of this track (from the 3rd minute) fits well with the vibe of the Suzdal part and also has nice dissonances.
This is what the final mix looks like
The audio mosaic was complete and I switched to the visual part
COMPLICATION
In the first versions of the video there was a strong superiority of Black Ball part. The Suzdal part lacked depth and dynamics. I was constantly torn between "that's cool" and "what a bullshit", "experiment more boldly" and "just make it straight"
Arthur Pogosyan, a Russian photographer with Armenian roots, whose vision I respect very much, once said "The more multi-layered your product is, the more difficult it is to repeat"
In this case I wanted this multi-layeredness in order to surprise Misha and Angela first of all, with their great knowledge of art. So that new details, rhymes, meanings and references would be noted with each repeated watching
In search of inspiration, I constantly came across works of poets and artists of the Russian Silver Age that resonate very much with the images of Misha and Angela, their worldview, the concept of the event, without being directly part of them.
Eric Bulatov's painting "STOP GO" finally confirmed the name "DUALITY" in me. Two completely different people. Two dissimilar events. Two author's points of view.
This is how references to Kazimir Malevich, Eric Bulatov and Osip Mandelstam appeared in the video.
Learning from the Titans
DEFINITION OF INTELLECTUAL MONTAGE
“
From two conflicting frames a "third meaning" is born – the viewer is given an abstract concept that cannot be represented in one frame of the film
as each Japanese sign denotes a separate concept, their combination denotes an idea of a higher order
as each Japanese sign denotes a separate concept, their combination denotes an idea of a higher order
With this knowledge, I decided to use symbolism and visual rhymes as a way to tell the couple's story and show their day in a way no one else could
KAZIMIR MALEVICH
SUPREMATISM
"Suprematism is so strict, absolute, classical, solemn that only it can express the essence of mystical sensations"
"The three main Suprematist forms are the square, the circle and the cross
Standards that stimulate further complication of the system, giving birth to new Suprematist forms"
– Kazimir Malevich
Standards that stimulate further complication of the system, giving birth to new Suprematist forms"
– Kazimir Malevich
...but I wanted more than just a match of visual forms
BLACK / RED/ WHITE
"The Suprematist three squares are the establishment of certain worldviews and world constructions...
Black as a sign of economy, Red as a signal of revolution, and White as pure action"
– Kazimir Malevich
Black as a sign of economy, Red as a signal of revolution, and White as pure action"
– Kazimir Malevich
SIGN OF ECONOMY
BLACK
“
It is well known that in the Tretyakov Gallery, when you approach this "Black Square", you can see some colored Suprematist figures under the black surface. I myself have thought many times why they don't take an X-ray, because it is not known what kind of painting is there."
It is well known that in the Tretyakov Gallery, when you approach this "Black Square", you can see some colored Suprematist figures under the black surface. I myself have thought many times why they don't take an X-ray, because it is not known what kind of painting is there."
During X-ray examinations, the presence of two other color images was confirmed under the image of the "Black Square". The original image is a cubo-futurist composition, and the one lying under the "Black Square" is a proto-suprematist composition.
Looking inside the "Black Square" and hearing Mandelstam's verses, we see a black ball. That part of the event that is only accessible to the chosen ones
There is respectful silence
In the vastness of the twilight hall
As empty crystals sway
In anticipation of wine
Bloody in the rays
Gradually thrust in
Lips opened tenderly
On chaste stems
translated via Google
SIGNAL OF REVOLUTION
RED
Revolutio - "rotation, revolution, transformation, conversion" radical revolution, sharp jump-like transition from one qualitative state to another
– wikipedia
"The Red Home"
Kazimir Malevich
Kazimir Malevich
What is a wedding day if not a sharp transition from one state to another?
PURE ACTION
WHITE
Misha and Angela said touching and emotional vows to each other on a ceremony
Their words were spoken only to the closest people and therefore should remain behind the scenes.
The viewer must remain outside white square. But I wanted to reflect these words in video. To express this boundary between personal and public more clearly
The viewer must remain outside white square. But I wanted to reflect these words in video. To express this boundary between personal and public more clearly
ERIK BULATOV
WORDS & BORDERS
ERIK BULATOV
Boundary plane
All of Erik Bulatov's paintings are constructed according to one principle: they have a plane (usually a word is placed on this plane) and space behind it or in front. This word either does not let the viewer into the painting, exaggerating to the extreme, preventing him from mentally joining its characters, or, on the contrary, acts as a link between the viewer and the painting"
Words
In the early works this formula of working with text was not yet such Bulatov is practically unknown today but in "The Artist in the Open Air" you can find many references to the history of art - to Malevich, and to the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, and to the French surrealist
Rene Magritte
Rene Magritte
Meanings
The "heroes" of the canvases are only words, without which the paintings would turn into ascetic black-and-white abstractions. When you ask yourself existential questions, the scenery is unnecessary. "How do I know where" is the life scenario of many modern people. All that remains is to admit it
As a result, the puzzle consisted of four parts, smoothly flowing into each other
- DUALITYan intellectual montage styled intro that tells the story of a couple and their wedding through the prism of the boundaries of the personal and publicI
- SUZDALdocumentary story of the first dayII
- BLACK SQUAREstylized montage to the verses of Osip Mandelstam: dive into a black square, beyond the border of which a black ball takes placeIII
- BLACK BALLdocumentary reportage of the party vibe and the final reference to the black squareIV
Intro Storyline with Comments
1
Black Domes
black color of Russian church domes is a symbol of monasticism
a monk is a Christian who has completely dedicated himself to service,
he cannot marry under any circumstances
a monk is a Christian who has completely dedicated himself to service,
he cannot marry under any circumstances
2
The Architect (or a Monk?)
close-up of Misha with a wide-angle lens from the closest possible distance
originally planned as a "hello" to Emmanuel Lubezki
on the edit became an attempt to "look at the world through the eyes of an architect"
originally planned as a "hello" to Emmanuel Lubezki
on the edit became an attempt to "look at the world through the eyes of an architect"
3
POV Dyptich
the architect perceives the temple as a composition of Suprematist forms
4
Decomposition
he pulls out of his memory all the black domes he has seen before
5
Match-cut
five black domes of the church are opposed with
five domes of home's light inside the house
he has to make a choice
five domes of home's light inside the house
he has to make a choice
6
Windows Sequence
windows is an allegory of peeping
an integral part of a public person's life: strangers trying to find out about your personal life, looking at you, discussing you...
an integral part of a public person's life: strangers trying to find out about your personal life, looking at you, discussing you...
7
Window Picture
...but they see only the image of a person
8
Image vs Reality
a public figure may have many images
but he truly exists as a person only at home
Misha goes down the stairs and indulges in memories
but he truly exists as a person only at home
Misha goes down the stairs and indulges in memories
9
Flashforward (or Flashback?)
transition to the black ball as a reminder of the circumstances of their first meeting
they met at a club where Misha was relaxing and Angela was working as a photographer.
he said that he don't look good in photographs, she told him that he needed to try it with her lens and click...
they met at a club where Misha was relaxing and Angela was working as a photographer.
he said that he don't look good in photographs, she told him that he needed to try it with her lens and click...
10
Crosslights
their life lines intersect
11
Crossing the Border
painting by Erik Bulatov "Russian 20th Century"
view from the space of private part of life
red river connects the plane with rays (public life border) with the church in the foreground
view from the space of private part of life
red river connects the plane with rays (public life border) with the church in the foreground
12
Return to Suzdal
the city where their first wedding day will take place
13
Suzdal House
home is the boundary between private and public life
and we have the opportunity to look into its windows
and we have the opportunity to look into its windows
14
Crossing the Border Again
painting "House" by Eric Bulatov
we pass through the plane of the word
we pass through the plane of the word
15
Signal of Revolution
"Red House" by Kazimir Malevich
the house in which the change of state will occur
the house in which the change of state will occur
16
The Bride
the second title of the painting "Red square" by Kazimir Malevich, written on its back, is "portrait of a peasant woman in two dimensions"
17
Angela
we see her through the doorway looking into the mirror
18
Misha
looking out the window
19
Boundaries
initially even public figures are strangers to each other
they met, communicate, but still show and see only the outer shell of their personality
they met, communicate, but still show and see only the outer shell of their personality
20
Strangers Get Closer
painting "Louvre, Gioconda" by Eric Bulatov
when everyone saw her outer image, he was looking at her real self...
when everyone saw her outer image, he was looking at her real self...
21
Discoveries
... and she opens up to him
now he knows all the layers of her personality
now he knows all the layers of her personality
22
Diptych of Two Ceremony Zones
white square (pure action) and black square (economy)
two days equally matters
but the real wedding of two people will happen in the white square
two days equally matters
but the real wedding of two people will happen in the white square
23
Diptych of Two Ceremonies
two sides of publicity
one decision to get married
one decision to get married
24
STOP GO
stand still or keep moving?
nothing changed on the outside
but inside they became closer to each other
nothing changed on the outside
but inside they became closer to each other
25
Black, White, Smoke
black flowers symbolize transformation and rebirth
white flowers – purity and celebration of new beginnings
smoke – mystery and the invisible
white flowers – purity and celebration of new beginnings
smoke – mystery and the invisible
26
Paintings Sequence
black square = groom
red square = bride
hieratic suprematist cross = their union
red square = bride
hieratic suprematist cross = their union
27
First Diptych of Halves
Misha and half of Malevich's painting "Two Peasants Against the Background of Fields"
28
Second Diptych of Halves
Angela and Malevich's painting "Half of a Female Figure"
29
Third Diptych of Halves
together they don't need their public images
only the real them
only the real them
30
How Do I Know Where
Erik Bulatov's painting represents the words "how do I know where" and the road underneath them on a black background
we don't know where the path of life will lead, and sometimes this is an disturbing thoughts
the color inversion of this picture symbolizes the bright side of thinking, the road will be mastered by the one who walks it...
we don't know where the path of life will lead, and sometimes this is an disturbing thoughts
the color inversion of this picture symbolizes the bright side of thinking, the road will be mastered by the one who walks it...
31
Pure Action
... so you need to move forward
32
Transition to the First Day
Couple and black domes on white church behind them
SUZDAL
this part is done in a documentary style
with some references to symbols and forms from other parts of the video
with some references to symbols and forms from other parts of the video
MOVING TO THE NEXT PART
1
Finishing Family Dinner
Misha and Angela raise the final toast of the evening
2
Crossing
they cross glasses
3
Border Transition
crossing the white border we see their shadows
we leave their personal space and go out into the public sphere again
we leave their personal space and go out into the public sphere again
4
Black Cat & Empty Table
black cats have a dual reputation: e.g. in Russian culture they are considered a symbol of misfortune, while in Japanese culture they bring good luck.
here symbolizes the opposing prejudices of strangers and people outside the family; they will talk about this event, discuss it, without knowing the whole truth about it
here symbolizes the opposing prejudices of strangers and people outside the family; they will talk about this event, discuss it, without knowing the whole truth about it
5
Putting on Masks
fire bowl with engraved mask
6
Diving into the Black Square
we dive into the black square and behind all its layers we see a black ball
7
Mandelshtam's Poem Enters
In the vastness of the twilight hall
Respectful silence…
Respectful silence…
8
… as in anticipation of wine
Empty crystals sway…
Empty crystals sway…
9
… Bloody in the rays
Stretching out hopelessly…
Stretching out hopelessly…
10
… Lips tenderly opened
On chaste stems
On chaste stems
11
Second Revolution
red as sign of revolution
"Kaval Sviri" enters
"Kaval Sviri" enters
12
The Black Ball Starts
the black ball is done in the format of a club report, where I tried to reflect the vibe of the party, remembering about references, symbols and matchcuts
The Final
You can't connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards.
During the exhibition "0,10" Malevich erected the "Black Square" in the "red corner" of the room, where the Slavs always hang icons. Because of this bold stunt, the "Black Square" turned into the most famous painting, which was then called the "icon of the Russian avant-garde".
THE LOOP
The sound of the church bell in the last frame of the video is a reference to its first frame and the courage of Kazimir Malevich =)
Short technical info
Captured on Panasonic GH6 & GH5
Lenses set:
- Voightlander 10.5mm f/0.95
- Voightlander 17.5mm f/0.95
- Voightlander 25mm f/0.95
- Voightlander 42.5mm f/0.95
- Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 ZE
- Olympus 7-14mm f/2.8
- Lumix 35-100mm f/2.8
Edited in Final Cut Pro
Graded in DaVinci Resolve
Done in 67hrs net working time and countless days of reflection
