↩️ Return to portfolio home Nik Swift - New Media Portfolio
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A multiple-phase immersive experience built in collaboration with AI to not only inform and educate about its proliferation in society, but also to promote inclusion and representation in the arts, starting with the critical situation regarding LGBT acceptance in Russia.
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2022 - South Bend, IN
Sole Creator
3 months
Coming off the heels of my NFT project do u believe? (aka the MetaForce), I knew that the next necessary technology to explore was the massive proliferation of Artificial Intelligence and the appearance of tools for creating AI art such as DALL-E or Midjourney.
At the same time, I grew increasingly aware of the tragic situation regarding LGBT people living under the current Russian regime, which is worsening by the day.
'Our mere existence is illegal.' As Moscow toughens anti-gay law, LGBTQ Russians fear for the future
The resulting work took the appearance of a traditional art foundation, and corresponding exhibition, to address this important cultural issue
The viewer walks into a gallery space where they find an exhibition entitled “Resilience in Bloom”, a series of polaroid portraits by photographer Ivan Gartvich.
The series depicts various LGBT people in Russia, and his artist statement speaks of his personal upbringing, discrimination and harassment that inspired him to create art that raises LGBT voices
<aside> 💡 Ivan Gartvich - Resilience in Bloom, 2022
As a visual artist, I explore the medium of polaroid photography to create intimate and candid portraits of LGBT individuals living in Russia. Through my work, I aim to challenge the marginalization and invisibility of this community in a country where they often face discrimination and persecution.
My artistic practice is deeply influenced by the traditions of portraiture and candid photography, and I draw inspiration from the likes of Nan Goldin and Diane Arbus. By utilizing the unique aesthetic qualities of polaroid film, I seek to create a sense of immediacy and intimacy in my work, allowing the viewer to feel a connection with the subjects of my portraits.
Additionally, my art can be seen as a response to the narrow and homogenous representation of LGBT individuals in mainstream media. By featuring a diverse range of subjects and allowing them to tell their own stories, I hope to subvert these limiting narratives and provide a more nuanced and authentic portrayal of the LGBT community.
In this way, my polaroid portraits not only celebrate the resilience and beauty of this community, but also contribute to the ongoing discourse within the art world about representation and social justice. I believe that art has the power to inspire understanding and acceptance, and I hope that my work will help to promote a message of inclusivity and compassion.
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