Interview: Anna Konoplova
Luca Curci talks with Anna Konoplova during CONSCIOUSNESS, second appointment of ANIMA MUNDI 2024, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

I am Anna Konoplova and my nickname is Anna-Valkirija (anna_valkirija). I’m an artist-performer from Ukraine but now I live and create in Vilnius, Lithuanian with my partner and model Tatsiana Ulasevich (TataU tatsiu_art). My style of performing is called Shiari Art Performance. I have been studying Shibari(Kinbaku) since 2016 with Ukrainian and European masters, who in turn received knowledge from Japanese masters. Then I transformed into sensual-sensitive communication and improvisation between partners with the help of ropes. Shibari Art Performance includes Japanese bondage art Kinbaku( or shibari) and sensitive-emotional parts between partners. I also create concepts, images, costumes and artistic and technical aspects of my performances. With the help of this type of art, I reveal a part of myself and my interaction with my partner, sharing an intimate inner world with the viewer, filling them from an aesthetic point of view and giving a feeling of involvement in the innermost. Shibari ART Performances is the art of communication, a kind of body language. This is the transfer of feelings to a partner with the help of a rope. Shibari ART Performance- the method of sensory-sensitive influence on the partner’s body, by creating patterns from the rope and opening the aesthetic-erotic aspect of the composition, also opening the emotional component of the partner and attracting viewers into the space with little story between performers.

• In 2017-2019 I was involved in the creation of Shibari Art Performances-style decorations for music videos of Ukrainian metal bands (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8c3JX7UZ7Q and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEVVOfvprT8)
• from 2018 till 2022 I organized workshop, events, performances and a Shibari camp in the cities Poltava, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv (Ukraine)
• In 2018 I took part in the international shibari festival “Shifest 2018” in Kiev, Ukraine.
• In 2018 I took part in the Precompression Burning Man Ukraine (Kiev, Ukraine)
• 2019 created performance on Kinky stage in Stockholm Pride Fest in Sweden
• From 2022 moved to Lithuania and till now have been creating performances and shows in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klajpeda with my model Tatsiana Ulasevich (TataU)
• in summer 2022 took part in the Yaga Festival in Lithuania
• from 2023 took part on main stages in Pakilimas (take_off_lithuania) and Kinky.Pink (kinkypink.events) events in Vilnius (Lithuania)
• in summer 2023 took part in the Karkle Festival in Klaipeda (Lithuania)
• in spring 2024 took part in Venice Biennale “Consciousness – Anima Mundi 2024” ITSLIQUID Group

Luca Curci – Where did the need to show reality through performance art come from?
Anna Konoplova – My practice of expressing feelings and emotions through Shibari Art Performance is a profound exploration of aestheticism and eroticism. Through this Shibari Art Performance, I delve into the depths of desire and the intricate connections between individuals and society. Over time, immersing myself in this art form, I’ve developed my own vision. Together with my partner, I create a visually captivating and emotionally resonant experience, inviting viewers to contemplate the deep intimate bonds that exist between people and the broader world around them. Through my performances, we not only reveal our own inner worlds but also invite others to reflect on their own desires and connections, fostering a sense of growth and fulfilment within the endless system of human relationships and expression. Shibari ART Performance is a new way of art that combines the traditional Japanese technique of Kinbaku art, and a sensual and erotic component, artistry with aestheticism in images and improvisation of partners, where emotions do not play, but they are sincere between the couple. Each performance is not repeated, it comes entirely from feelings, although the theme and images can be presented and revealed by the performers. The viewer, in turn, becomes a participant who, while watching what is happening, experiences similar feelings and emotions, finding a piece of themself in feelings between performers. This art, in turn, becomes a bridge between myself and the viewer, allowing me to convey the feelings and emotions that enrich our consciousness and expand our perception. I want our work to not only reflect the visible but also reveal the invisible, evoking deep thoughts and emotions in the viewer that can alter their worldview and understanding of themselves and their desires.

LC – Is there an unrealised or unrealisable project, even a crazy one, that you would like to work on?
AK – I have several bright and captivating ideas that I dream of bringing to life. One of these ideas is an Erotic ART Fest – a unique event where every participant can join in and showcase their art, whether it be photography, painting, performance etc. This festival will be a place where people can share the beauty of their ideas and the depth of the meanings embedded in their works. At this festival, all attendees will have the opportunity to try their hand at new forms of art that have long inspired them but which they previously lacked the courage to experiment with. It is a wonderful chance to explore and discover new facets of their talent. Additionally, we plan to organize numerous master classes, where participants can learn from experienced artists and share their own insights with like-minded individuals. Through workshops and collaborative projects, participants will have the chance to push their boundaries, gaining new skills and perspectives that will enrich their artistic journey. By engaging with diverse forms of expression and innovative techniques, they will not only hone their craft but also forge meaningful connections with fellow artists. The Erotic ART Fest will become a platform for self-expression, communication, and the exchange of ideas, inspiring all participants to achieve creative feats and make new discoveries in the world of art. But more than that, this festival will aims to foster a community that celebrates the beauty of human expression in its most intimate and profound forms. It’s about breaking down barriers and challenging taboos, allowing artists to delve into themes of sensuality, desire, and the human body with openness and respect. This will be a safe space where creativity knows no bounds, and where each work is a testament to the richness of human experience and emotion. Ultimately, the erotic art fest is about celebrating the diversity and vibrancy of erotic art in all its forms. It’s an invitation to explore, to express, and to connect with others through the universal language of art. It’s a celebration of creativity, freedom, and the deep intrinsic beauty of human expression.

LC – What are the three hashtags essential to define your poetics that you could not give up?
AK – #shibariartperformance #eroticartshibari #freedomartexpression

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
AK – My inspiration is drawn from the traditional Japanese art Kinbaku, with its profound aesthetics and symbolism. This ancient practice speaks to the beauty and depth of tradition, evoking a sense of connection and meaning. Also, my inspiration is born from my interaction with the world around me, from the contemplation of natural forms where every line and curve seems to embody perfection. I find beauty in the harmony of human bodies and the subtlety of their features, feelings and emotions, their uniqueness and expressiveness serving as an inexhaustible source of creativity. I revel in the process of observing these forms and simultaneously lose myself in the creation of new ideas for performances and art installations. In these creations, I seek to embed my own connotations and meanings, transforming the act of creation into a deeply personal and expressive journey.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this exhibition? How did it inspire you?
AK – The concept of the exhibition deeply resonates with the message I aim to convey through my Shibari Art Performance. For me, consciousness is something in the depths of our being. It speaks not only of human consciousness as an entity but also of the awareness of our desires and the drive to transcend the boundaries imposed by society. It encompasses the consciousness of oneself, one’s roots, traditions, and heritage, as well as an understanding of one’s path. A rope is a kind of barrier, like something that binds us and thereby limits and at the same time releases feelings and emotions that the body hides in our usual life. The rope enveloping the body gives a feeling of freedom and endless expansion of oneself, with one’s desires and thoughts. Shibari ART Performance is an art that raises extremely critical issues of human manifestation in the surrounding society. After all, a person who understands his desires and goals can no longer be guided by what they want to impose on him. Only through artistic perception and artistic improvisation can one convey to the world that the development of spirit, body, mind and consciousness is important for everyone in society.

LC – In which way the artwork presented in our exhibition is connected with the exhibition’s theme?
AK – Shibari ART Performances is the art of communication, a kind of body language. This is the transfer of feelings to a partner with the help of a rope. Shibari ART Performance- the method of sensory-sensitive influence on the partner’s body, by creating patterns from the rope and opening the aesthetic-erotic aspect of the composition, also opening the emotional component of the partner and attracting viewers into the space with the little story between performers. The human body is a changing system that connects us with other bodies, consciousness, sensations and feelings, just as we tie bodies with a rope. With the help of this type of art, I reveal a part of myself and my interaction with a partner, sharing an intimate inner world with the viewer, filling them from an aesthetic point of view and giving a feeling of involvement in the innermost between performers

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
AK – Certainly, they can! It’s happened to us. I remember how I studied art as a student and dreamed of being an artist and showcasing my work at the Biennale. And now, here I am. We were sharing the beauty and depth of our art with you in Venice. Isn’t it a remarkable opportunity?

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
AK – Of course, I enjoyed it! I had an amazing experience and new inspiration. We’ll plan not to stop and participate in other exhibitions in other countries and talk and show our Shibari Art Performance and share with people our inspiration and how it changes the world and you. Thank you for your time and enjoyable questions. I had a wonderful experience!