Kseniya Simonva

Above is a video that shows artist Kseniya Simonva using sand as a medium. Apparently, this is for a talent contest, which may very well dissuade some art enthusiasts who are purists in the sense that the artist would never be on reality television. Aside from that, I could be wrong, and accept the art for what it is and forget the circumstances that make for its creation.

Unlike a lot of ambiguous fine art pieces, this work seems to work as a narrative, more in line with animation. Simonva lets the audience observe individual images for an instance, then quickly manipulates the current image into another one. Transitions are smooth, and the skill is undeniable. The audience reaction is interesting to observe, since quite a few of them are in tears. This shows that Simonva is not merely doing this for show, but genuinely wants to tell a story. The music may seem a bit much, but it complements the act nonetheless. The biggest criticism I have is that it seems over-dramatic in some parts, and that kind of detracts away from the piece. Other than that, it was enjoyable to watch.