Commedia dell'Arte in Crimea 2012

Arsen Savadov made this photograph, “Commedia dell'Arte in Crimea”, at an unknown date, in an unknown medium. The figures in this work are arranged in a way that reminds me of a stage set or tableau, it’s all about the setup! The colors are deeply saturated, and the light and shadow adds a layer of theatrics. Looking closer, there's a push and pull between what’s carefully staged and what feels spontaneous. The characters on the boat, they're surrounded by records. They’re using vinyl records, like floating devices. There’s something playfully absurd about the anachronistic mix of classical imagery and contemporary props. I see echoes of other image makers here—Fellini comes to mind, with his love of spectacle. But Savadov’s vision is distinctly his own, and it’s a beautiful reminder that art is always in conversation, always finding new ways to remix and reimagine. There is so much to enjoy looking at this image!