All in Favorite Artist Feature
Last summer, at the Wende Museum in Culver City, CA, I stumbled upon an incredibly vibrant, multi-layered work by Molly Surazhsky, entitled Dermokratizatsiya (Shitocracy). I would come to learn that this was Surazhsky’s very first exhibit, and was lucky enough to converse with her on some of the many important topics touched upon by her work. Born in Queens, New York to immigrant parents that brought her up in a very Soviet tradition, Surazhsky fervidly explores history, cultural identity, and the lasting implications of the USSR’s collapse through her artistic work. Read on for our wonderful discussion about her first museum exhibit, the process behind creating Dermokratizatsiya, and Molly’s understanding of her own cultural identity through her continuous artistic and personal studies.
Meet Nydya Mora, a native Angeleno who documents the murals and shrines of the Virgen de Guadalupe all over Los Angeles and publishes them on her Instagram page, Virgens de Los Angeles. Read on for our discussion on Nydya’s heritage which inspired this project, the pride she has for her home city, and the urgent need to combat cultural erasure amid gentrification, particularly in the Latinx communities of L.A.
Americans have a lot of ideas about not only themselves, but the rest of the world, too. Specifically, Americans have a lot of ideas about Russians. Of course, there is no one answer to what constitutes Russia and Russianness, and it is this very notion that is explored by illustrator and designer Dav Yendler in his recent clickbook, “Other Russia.” Read on to learn about this incredibly fascinating work and our discussion of history, politics, the diasporan experience, and Dav’s artistic process!
With his impressive roster of short films and music videos, including his recent debut at several global film festivals, filmmaker Hayk Matevosyan is creating waves in the cinematographic world. Read on to learn about his inspiring journey from a young dreamer during the Nagorno-Karabakh War to an accomplished, talented director and filmmaker pioneering his way through the world of cinema.
Moonrise's first-ever artist feature showcases the talents and works of Alisha Sofia, an Armenian-American Angeleno who paints, illustrates, and animates beautiful scenes and figures by incorporating aspects of both nature and culture. Read on to hear her discuss her hyphenated identity, Southern Californian succulents, and art mediums.
