Chief architect of SamArt: “We want to prepare the viewer for the performance.” Seravin A.I. Research of creativity. Ability to Define Creativity Working with Contrast in Canva

Thinking

Feature

Diagnostics

Prognostic

significance of the results

Keyword

(Characteristics

successful process)

Convergent

thinking is aimed at finding the only correct result

diagnosed by traditional intelligence tests

awareness

Divergent

associated with generating a set of solutions based on unambiguous data

diagnosed by specialized tests

weakly predict real creative achievements of a person in his everyday and professional activities

resourcefulness, originality

Creative

associated with finding fundamentally new solutions “based on ambiguous data”

diagnosed by a specialized research

predict real creative achievements of a person in his everyday and professional activities

genius,

talent

Meditation

inactively finding any solutions or remaining outside the search for solutions

diagnosed by specialized observation

it is impossible to predict a person’s intellectual achievements in real life

A picture is worth a thousand words. This old, tired phrase has never been more relevant when it comes to capturing your audience's attention. Because facts are facts - numerous studies confirm that images attract people's attention.

Specialists from HubSpot, a company that produces software for marketers, have collected interesting statistics that show how powerful visual content can be as a means of communication:

• Articles with feature illustrations receive 94% more views than web pages with text and no images.
• People remember information better if the data is illustrated (only 10% of what they heard remains in memory, but if the content was audiovisual, a person is able to reproduce 65% of the information received even after three days).
• Visual content is 40 times more likely to go viral and be shared on social media.

In design, visual images mean a lot; their role is difficult to overestimate. Images help make almost any project more effective and memorable. And if a designer wants his work to stand out from other similar projects, then he must take good care of the visual content.

It doesn’t matter whether you use your own photos or images taken from stock, you need to make sure that everything is in order with them before using them in a project. Size, composition, color rendering, white balance - literally everything is important. And to make your work easier, all adjustments can be made in the Canva service.

Framing: Focus and Composition

Cropping is one of the best ways to improve a picture. Cropping can help remove unnecessary or distracting elements from your frame, improve your composition, and highlight what's most important.

Attention! If you decide to crop an image, don't rush to remove too much, take it gradually. If you crop the picture too much, you can lose a lot of important things. In addition, a strong crop reduces the quality and resolution of the picture. As a result, if such a heavily cropped picture suddenly has to be enlarged, it will disintegrate into pixels.

There is a relatively safe way of framing - the rule of thirds. The original image is divided into three parts vertically and horizontally, resulting in a grid of two horizontal and two vertical lines appearing on top of the image. Here, look:

How to crop in Canva:

• Click on the image you want to crop
• Select "Crop" from the drop-down menu bar
• A frame will appear above the image with markers in the corners, by pulling which you can build a new frame, removing unnecessary parts of the picture
• When the work is finished, confirm the changes by clicking on the checkmark above the image

You can repeat cropping in Canva as many times as you like until you get the look you want. If it doesn't work the first time, just open the source again and try again.

Blur: Enhance Background Images

Sometimes images need to be highlighted, but there are times when they shouldn't be the focus. It’s not surprising, but sometimes a picture works well as a “voiceover.” Well, you understand that we are talking about background images.

Photographs, especially good ones, can enhance any design. But since most often it turns out that the text is placed on top of the background illustration, a problem arises - due to the many small details in the photo, the content is difficult to read.

What can be done in this case? Another option is to apply a blur effect to the picture. As a result, the background will become softer and more concise. If you don’t get too carried away with blur, then in the background photography you will be able to preserve recognizable images that will work to create the overall impression.

Using blur, you can create almost abstract backgrounds with soft color transitions or images with vague shapes. This is a good solution if you need to add a little dynamics to your design. At the same time, the picture looks much better than just a plain background and at the same time is devoid of all distracting details.

How to Blur an Image in Canva

• Open the desired image
• In the drop-down menu bar, find the “Filter” item.
• In the lower left corner of the palette that appears, click "Advanced Options"
• The “Blur” slider is the third one from the bottom. By moving it, you can control the effect settings.

Sometimes it happens that nothing happens in the editor. To make sure that the image has been blurred, you need to click to the side of the image and see what has changed. But more often than not, everything works fine and you can immediately see how the blur works.

Saturation: Changes the intensity of shades

Photographers and designers often experiment with saturation to subtly tone down or enhance the tones of a color. The less saturated the color, the closer it is to a gray shade. If you take the picture and completely desaturate it, you will get a regular black and white image. And if reducing saturation is relatively safe, then you need to be very careful with increasing it - too bright colors can look unnatural.

How to change saturation in Canva:

• Select "Filter" from the drop-down menu
• Click "Advanced Settings"
• Saturation slider third from top
• Move the slider left or right of center to find an option that suits you.

Contrast: working with light and shadow

Enhancing contrast is often used to create a dramatic effect. Increasing contrast makes shadows appear deeper and highlights appear much brighter. If you reduce the contrast, the picture will become more monotonous. As with saturation, too much contrast is not always a good thing. Some images benefit from contrast, but you should not get carried away with this technique, especially if the original image is of fairly good quality.

Working with Contrast in Canva:

• In the drop-down menu, go to “Filter”
• Contrast – second slider from the top
• By moving the slider to the right, you can make the image more contrast. If you move the marker to the left, the shades will become muted.

Brightness

Not everyone can say with confidence whether an image should be made more or less bright. A picture that is too light may lose some of its content; the same effect can be achieved by making the photo less bright.

In any case, it is best to experiment with brightness on high-quality images, since by making it a little brighter or darker, you can achieve the desired result. If the source is so-so, it is better not to touch it at all. Keep in mind that any editing changes the image, but brightness is the most dangerous effect. The slightest mistake and the image will become unbalanced. So it’s better to work with brightness when you are absolutely sure that this manipulation is necessary.

Working with Brightness in Canva

• Click on the image you want to change
• Select "Filter" from the menu
• Brightness is the topmost slider
• Move the marker left or right to change the lighting level
• Moving to the right makes the image brighter, and moving the slider to the left darkens the image.

Other ways to improve your images

Filters. Thanks to Instagram and other apps, filters have become a very popular photo editing tool. Filters are more often used to add an "artistic" effect to an image. But when used skillfully, a properly selected filter can significantly improve the original image. The Canva menu has many preset filters, where you can search through the options to find the most suitable effect and then apply it to the image.

Composition. Any design project is based on a grid - this is the basis of the composition. In Canva, you can create a composition from multiple images. The easiest way is to select a suitable template in the “Layouts” section and fill it with your own images.

Framework. Sometimes you need to add a frame, simple or decorative, to an image. Frames can be very different: large and small, colored or not, round or square. If the design dictates that the picture be framed, everything you need can be found in the online graphics editor Canva.

Layering or overlay. Blurring is one of the main ways to dim the background for better readability of text. But you can achieve approximately the same result without changing the sharpness of the background image. This method called an overlay - another layer of the desired color is superimposed on top of the original image, after which you need to play with its transparency. As a result, you can not only make the text more readable, but also change the color tone of the background image.

Typography. Up to this point we have been talking about working with images. But text is also often part of the illustration. Is it possible to work with text in the Canva editor? Of course, yes, there is everything necessary for this. You can add your own heading, subheadings and body text, change the font style and size. Canva also comes with several preset text designs and over a hundred different fonts that you can download from your computer to add to the list.

I compiled this short list of patterns by referencing travel photos I've taken over the past few weeks. The list is not exhaustive, but it contains the compositional techniques that I use most often.

Let's start with the basics:

Basic templates for photo composition

Rule of thirds with blank background

Simple and effective method highlight the subject of shooting and bring dynamics to the frame. Rule of thirds placement for movement (center placement for static scenes) and a clear background will help the viewer's eye focus on the main subject rather than wandering around the frame. The background can be as simple as a plain wall, or the background can be defocused. Ideally, you should choose colors between your subject and background that work well together and complement each other.

Rule of thirds with a balanced background

If you want to add more narrative to your image, try finding a background that balances out your subject. Help the viewer's eyes switch between the subject and the background. At the same time, it is still important to keep the background unloaded with details so that they do not cause confusion and do not draw attention to themselves.

Rule of thirds with a lively foreground

This useful template is inspired by photojournalism. It will help add a sense of action to the image. A rich foreground in a photo creates a sense of dynamism and helps hide a chaotic background.

Dynamic diagonal

A very simple but effective template that works great when dealing with action. Diagonals, much more than straight lines, increase dynamic effect and guide viewers' eyes through the image.

Framing the frame

There's no need to introduce this popular composition technique, also called a "frame within a frame." This is an effective way to draw viewers' eyes to a specific element of the image.

Framing the frame with people

This one is a little more complex, but still effective, mainly when using wide-angle lenses. The idea is to use people as a natural frame for the main subject, but also to create leading lines for greater dynamics.

Rule 10th part

This time the idea is to create a feeling of emptiness in most of the picture for a more dramatic result. This technique works well with silhouettes or dark blue skies. Basically, empty space in a picture adds drama.

Triangle

Being the simplest shape, a triangle helps viewers' eyes follow the three main elements that fill the frame. Note that the important thing here is to really fill the frame with elements and not leave any useless empty space.

Placement in the middle

One of my favorite techniques is to place the subject in the center with a symmetrical separation of the background. This gives the image a sense of simplicity and balance. The lack of dynamics is ideal for calm and peaceful scenes, but personally I prefer to disrupt this calm and predictability with dynamic movement of the subject.

Portrait: “a look in the frame”

When the subject of the portrait looks away, it creates tension in the image, which directs the viewer's gaze to both sides of the photo.

Guillotine

The idea here is to remove the subject's head from the frame. This is done to increase the emphasis on other elements: arms, legs, tools, etc. People's attention is automatically drawn to the eyes first. Therefore, by cropping the head (and therefore the eyes), you will draw attention to the rest of the image. It is not necessary to remove the entire head, just remove the eyes.

While these patterns help you make decisions faster, when the action happens quickly, they can block your creativity.

Often, while traveling, I came across advanced photographers who experienced temporary stagnation in their creativity. They know everything about camera settings and the basic rules of composition, but they find it difficult to go beyond their usual images. Looking through their portfolio, one word comes to mind: predictable. As I scroll through image after image, I see the same patterns. The photographs are, of course, very good, but they lack originality due to the excess of these templates.

Therefore, a prudent photographer uses templates to be faster and more efficient, but adapts them with originality to each specific situation or moment.

It's also important to keep creating new templates that you can abandon at any time. This helps the photographer develop and maintain originality.

If you want to improve your photographs, look at your work: what patterns do you see in it? Aren't they redundant? Are there too many of them in your photos? If you follow your patterns too hard, you'll end up shooting the most predictable compositions over and over again.

When you look at your favorite images, how are they different from others? How did you manage to break the usual patterns and come up with more original images?

What can we do to break with our usual patterns and come up with more creative images?

Free yourself and get creative

Studying the work of other photographers

The easiest way is to take a closer look at the work of other photographers. When you see pictures of colleagues that resonate with you, look at and analyze the pictures. Try to understand what part of the composition makes you feel that this image is special? We all have a lot to learn from looking at other people's work, so this is a good start.

To continue this idea, why not take a photography course in an area you're unfamiliar with? Earlier this year I attended a documentary photography workshop in Malaysia. This event opened the doors for me to new world. As a travel photography professional, I never imagined anything like this.

Take a fresh look

There are tools that can help you look at things in a new way. The most important of them is light. By focusing solely on it (and the shadow), you can begin to see things differently. If the light falls only on a certain part of the subject, you can remove the part that is in the shadow, and the composition will immediately change. By focusing on the light, we forget about our patterns and follow only the lines and directions that the rays of light give us.

Changes for the better

I also find it very useful to reverse the situation when we substitute our image. Instead of asking yourself what do I want to include in a shot, focus on the elements that you don't need and would like to exclude.

This approach complements the method in which we use light to build a composition. Instead of thinking about the usual frame structure (subject, background, etc.), dictated by hackneyed templates, you think only about the essential conditions: about the light and the lines it creates. When you decide to remove any other element, your brain is no longer trying to create a composition using one of the templates, but simply follows what the light dictates.

Use different equipment

I think another good way is to use different cameras. Of course, equipment is not the main thing in photography, but by using different tools, you can break your usual patterns.

When I see people shooting portraits well with 85mm or 100mm lenses wide open, I advise them to shoot 35mm at F/8.0 for a while. Then they stop thinking in the usual way and begin to look at things with new eyes. In the same way, you can try changing your usual proportions. If you switch to shooting in a square format, the rule of thirds will have a different effect, you will see how the frame will be shaped.

Working in the mind

But I think the best way is not about technique, but about working in the mind. By using different cameras, lenses, settings and aspect ratios, you are essentially leaving your comfort zone. This is when you enter the learning zone. But this won't happen if you only do the things you're good at.

When you try to change your state of mind (I'm not talking about taking photographs while intoxicated, although this option can also lead to interesting results), your photo composition will immediately change.

If you're a travel photographer like me, why not become a photojournalist for a day? I find that my shot compositions and approaches are very different when I'm working on a long-term project and/or a series of images. I spend more time studying different elements of the situation: working on details, shapes, patterns, trying to capture the deeper emotions of the characters - that's what I can fully focus on, rather than the composition of the frame.

Street photography is another area where I have found a lot of inspiration. Walking the streets as a street photographer requires a completely different approach than tourist photography. When I do this, I have to refrain from shooting things that are familiar to me and look for new, original elements. I'm more concerned with looking for light, shadow, shapes or funny scenes that happen on the streets.

By getting out of your comfort zone, you'll have to create a whole new set of rules for photo composition, which will lead to experimentation and, most likely, teach you something. It may be difficult at first, and disappointments are possible. But is anything really interesting if it's too simple?
Through

dictates tastes

Fragile, fleeting popularity

A set of habits and tastes prevailing at a certain time

This Russian word comes from Latin meaning "measure", "way", "rule"

Behavior, custom

. "Nurse" couturier

. "Person" making the last squeak

Current in clothing

Breath from Paris

The primacy of tastes

Dominance of tastes

Dictator in drag

Breath from the podium

Her “squeak” excites fashionistas

Her “squeak” excites the dandy

She is shown on the catwalk

She is served by couturiers

Dior served her

J. French current custom; temporary, changeable whim in everyday life, in society, in the cut of clothes and in outfits; usual According to fashion, the mouse is in the chest of drawers. According to the old faith, but according to the new fashion, oh schismatic. Nowadays it is in fashion, in custom, in habit. This is the usual fashion. olon. name In fashion, a girl's head scarf is tied in a city style, ends first. Modochka, Moscow-pod. headband made of black silk scarf. Fashionable lady. Fashionable cap, store. She dresses fashionably, in fashion. There is nothing more fashionable than her. Fashionable, not quite fashionable, not the latest custom. Fashionability, fashionability. property, belonging by meaning. adj. Fashionista m.-nitsa f. who dresses in fashion and follows it; -kov, -nitsyn, belongs to him, to her. Fashionista Nov. milliner cleaner, seamstress of clothes and trader of clothes. -kin, belonging to her. To be fashionable, to follow fashion, to imitate secular custom. A hungry man is not fashionable. Have fun, live as usual! Pathetic fashion, fashion, passion to fashion. Model f. small sample; an object, especially a building object (church, ship, bridge), in a reduced size. Model, leather. a projectile used to stroke skin; iron tile with handles. Model, related to the model. -naya f. workshop where models are made. schik m. who makes the models. Modify, vary, alter, alter. -Xia, to be changeable. Modification g. alteration in a different way; change

You can't keep up with her

New clothes every year

Capricious squeaky

Loud cheater

Behavior

The short-term dominance of a certain taste in any area of ​​​​life or culture

The short-term dominance of a certain taste in any area of ​​life or culture, in the narrow sense - a change in the form of costume

Samples of clothing items that meet modern tastes

Clothing that trains people

Squeaky from Paris

Squeaky from Paris, which you can't keep up with

Craze

A pestilence, but not a disease

Catwalk dictator

Advancement in clothing

Skirt length adjuster

As she is born she lets out her last cry

A set of habits and tastes that prevail in a certain environment at a certain time

Path of couturier

Yudashkin's element

Queen of Glamor

What's more capricious than the weather?

What does a couturier create?

This is when everyone likes something that everyone knows everyone likes.

In the novel "Eugene Onegin" Pushkin called her "our tyrant" and the disease of "newest Russians"

In statistics, the value of a characteristic (variant), most often found in a set of units or in a variation series (BEM)

In all centuries, women chase her, but she changes

A person who squeaks differently every year

Periodic re-examination for herding - the desire and ability not to be different, Alexander Kruglov

General psychosis

Instant popularity

Type of vibrations (normal vibrations) in distributed oscillatory systems or type of waves (normal waves) in waveguide systems and wave beams

Tyrant of women and veils

Fragile, fleeting popularity

Not what they wear, but what they chase

Temporary, changeable whim in everyday life, in society

She is capricious and changeable, but everyone listens to her squeak

One of the body's own vibrations

Dictator of tastes

Mistress of the podiums

Rules the catwalks

Breathing from the catwalk

Trend of the season

Fleeting popularity

Loud cheater in clothes

Popularity

Her “squeak” excites the dude

Seasonal cheater

What's more capricious than the weather?

In the novel “Eugene Onegin” Pushkin called her “our tyrant” and the disease of “newest Russians”

What does a couturier create?

. "person" making the last squeak

. "nurse" couturier

Her “squeak” excites the dandy

Her “squeak” excites fashionistas

Her “squeak” excites the dude

The last squeak in clothes

Her “squeak” excites the dandy

When she is born she lets out her last cry

Demands of young viewers - a difficult path

The tour begins in the theater courtyard. On the right stands a new building, which very soon will welcome guests to premiere performances. On the left are construction trailers and fencing. It is at this location that it is planned to build the third stage with the main entrance to the theater and the central lobby, which will unite the entire complex: the first, second stages and the existing building being reconstructed.

- When will work on the third stage begin?

We know what to strive for. The project is in its final stage. We completed the architectural solution and design concept for the main premises. The album with conceptual interior solutions was agreed upon with the theater management and the ministries of culture and construction. The section "Architectural solutions" has been completed in full. The remaining sections, which were carried out by the organization from St. Petersburg, SZIT Scientific Research Institute Prii, are almost ready.

In September, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Nikolai Malakov came to the opening of the second stage of the theater. He said that at the present time, when so much attention is paid to youth platforms, forums, studios, theaters, the third stage project is exactly what is needed. This topic has already been opened in Samara, so it is necessary to complete the third phase of SamArt.

- The third stage project already exists. Many of its sections have undergone examination. What else is needed for the project to be completed?

The section "Constructive solutions" needs to be improved. The structural part is very important and contains the complex task of reconstructing the existing building above the hall, where it is planned to place engineering systems. The reconstruction is connected with the fact that a new ideology of internal space will be decided.

- It’s too early to say when the construction of the third stage will be completed. But what do these terms depend on?

It all depends on the budget. After all, this is a budget object. This requires joint action between the ministries of construction and culture. Acting Minister of Culture Sergei Filippov is very attentive to this project. Actually, it also includes builders, actors, theater managers, and the governor. Now everyone's interests have converged.

- Will the new and existing buildings interact in some way or remain separate?

Each queue can function separately. But there is a connection between all the halls. There is even an idea to make a performance that flows from one hall to another. It should be interesting and allow all platforms to be used. The main hall can also be used in fragments, which provides new opportunities. An important element of the third phase will be the courtyard space, where activities can also take place. The main element of this courtyard will be a glass wall. It will be possible to project any information or, for example, images of old Samara onto the stained glass wall.

This is quite a complex project. I wanted to create not just an object, but a theater with great opportunities for children, youth and adults. Today they are setting new demands on technologies and means of expression. With the commissioning of the second stage, new prospects appeared for the implementation of the most daring ideas.

Import substitution and light

- There are several buffets in the new theater. At the same time, on the ground floor the buffet is quite large, there are many different lamps and there are screens. Tell us about your ideas for these spaces?

On the ground floor the buffet seats more than 49 people. The second one has a smaller buffet. With us, everything is strictly calculated, because the project is a budget project, which dictates its scope. In the cafeteria on the first floor Special attention given to the light. It turned out that the space can easily change with the help of different lighting. This is theater, and every time it can change, give a new picture. The interior has interesting elements. For example, above the counter there are individual lamps made of rusty bent pipes. The texture is natural, the pipes were treated with acid. A lot of such techniques have been used.

- The interior design changed several times and quite radically. What was originally planned?

First, we had an option using elements from OVA. These are “clouds”, slats, all kinds of prints with built-in lamps, special designs and so on. I wanted the ceilings to be transformable and to be able to change or add something. Initially, a lot of imported materials were planned, but almost all of them were replaced with domestic ones, which turned out to be for the better. New interiors were completed. The theater is modern, and the interiors were designed in a modern style. For the vestibule and foyer, where mass arrivals of people are expected, the structures are made of non-combustible materials. The ceilings are made of removable metal cassettes, perforated, stainless steel of various configurations. On a metal frame with suspensions on cables, frame-tracks with the possibility of mobile arrangement of lamps. There are lights for beams, columns, and fragments. The walls are made in different types decorative coatings for concrete.

Style and modernity

- Can you indicate the specific style in which the interior of the theater is made?

The question is complex. There is minimalism, hi-tech, and loft. I think that the interior is closest to these directions. This provides opportunities for various manipulations with space. On the third floor there is a room that is sharply different from everything else. This is a classic interior - a mini-conference room for guests and meetings with journalists.

- These styles dictate working with certain materials. But the peculiarities of the theater, where children's performances are often held, also staged certain creative frames. How did you work under such conditions?

We have proposed special anti-vandal materials that are needed in places where there are large crowds of people, especially children. These are art concrete, decorative concrete, clinker tiles. All this is good in operation. The cladding of the columns is made of bent metal cassettes. The cuts are protected by decorative handrails. A high plinth is made of tiles with metal perforations. All corners are framed with metal elements. We tried to take into account all conditions as much as possible in the project.

- The interior of the theater, where techniques of such styles are used, could turn out gloomy. What decisions were made to avoid this?

The interiors turned out to be not gloomy at all. There were several tricks. For example, in lobbies there are general, directional, diffuse, compositional and accent lighting options. Different light - different interior. Decorative coatings on the walls are almost all with the addition of a muted shine. This gives lightness to brutal concrete. The monochrome interior features sofas with multi-colored seats. The floors are made in gray tones with worn elements, enlivened by rusty tile inserts. Curtains in the form of blinds can be used in several combinations. Individual inscriptions were made - tablets. All ceilings, columns, communication covers are made of stainless steel, which gives the effect of a mirror. There are screens on the walls. All track trusses are load-bearing - you can hang displays and fabric decorations on them. They make it easy to organize exhibitions of, for example, children's drawings.

- The story with the SamArta project has been going on for more than ten years. During this time, a lot has changed. Therefore, the question of the relevance of interior solutions is very acute.

The building is modern, despite the long time periods of design and construction. Not far from Paris is the city of Avignon. There is a festival theater there, made with the same hall parameters as SamArt. But our building began to be built much earlier than the French one. And the SamArta project is much more complicated. The theater interiors were done when the building's box was ready. They are relevant according to the reviews of directors and actors, and this was noted by guests of different levels at the opening of the second stage.

Power and standards

- The story with SamArt has dragged on for a very long time. And everyone is interested in what was the real reason for such a long time.

There were a number of reasons: budget, changes in regulations. The first examination was completed in 2004. There were two more examinations in connection with changes in standards and technical specifications for the design. The last changes were made just before the project was handed over.

During the time that work on SamArt was underway, power in the region had already changed several times. How was the project supported by different political forces?

Former governor Nikolai Merkushkin put off visiting SamArt for a long time, but he was aware of how things were. He ended up visiting the theater and supporting us. Dmitry Azarov was very attentive to the construction of the theater. There was always an understanding and support on his part of the importance of this object. His attention and interest allowed us to speed up the commissioning of the facility.

- The SamArta project is a lot of work by a whole team of architects. Who worked on it?

The author of the idea for the SamArt theater building project is Anatoly Barannikov. I am a GAP and an author of interior solutions. All decisions were discussed and made with the participation of the theater management Sergei Sokolov and Nikolai Matveev. They posed a problem and asked questions. We decided, invented, implemented. I couldn't handle such a large object alone. From the very beginning to the present, leading architect Alexander Varenov worked on the theater project at all stages. Visualization of the interiors was done by Dmitry Khoroshailo and Marina Khoroshailo. Anisya Mingullova was in charge of work plans. Young specialists helped.

- All this work is a lot of work. And it required time and effort that architects could spend on more commercially profitable projects. Didn't want to give up everything?

It really took a lot of effort. Sometimes I had to sit for a very long time on the drawings. But this is a very interesting job. At some stages, a lot was done “from scratch.” But quitting - no! Much has been done humanitarianly. However, such objects are very rare. Strength and feelings were invested. It's like a "child". Every element, every corner of the building, every step is familiar. When completing the interiors, some things were adjusted according to location. Especially after changes in architecture and related sections. I am very concerned about the fate of the building. There is one step left until the entire complex is completed.

- The old SamArt building is former project Anatoly Barannikov - cinema "Timurovets". Will anything remain of his project?

Anatoly Ivanovich had just graduated from college. He was the author of "Timurovets", so, of course, this topic touches us very much. Externally, nothing will remain of the cinema, but the halls and part of the lobby will be preserved with reconstruction and transformation.

Behind the scenes

- What was done for the artists? How is the new space different from the previous one?

In the first stage, make-up dressing rooms were performed for the actors, and in the second stage they continued. Make-up restrooms with all amenities, sofas, convenient places to prepare for performances. The main thing for the actors is the new space of the halls and stage. Along the perimeter of the hall there is a corridor-gallery with the possibility of exits in any necessary place in and out of the hall. In the backstage area there are many auxiliary rooms: a hairdressing salon, a recreation area, costume rooms, workshops, elevators for scenery.

There is a wall in the gallery where the brickwork is visible. Tell us about this design solution.

The gallery is history. This piece was not originally intended to have exposed brickwork. The building was “frozen” for a long time, and in some places the plaster simply came off in fragments. I came up with the idea to leave it with minimal adjustments and paint. Here you can make some kind of exhibitions - old posters, photographs.

- Now that the theater is about to present its premiere in the new hall, can you say whether everything you planned has worked out?

There were many concepts. But we are forced to take into account the budget and the state of engineering networks. We did what we planned within certain limits. With the support of theatergoers, it was possible to create interactive walls, a backdrop - a thin screen, ceiling lights - mini-computers and much more. This added expressiveness to the interiors.

- Your daughter is also a successful architect and works in Moscow. Did she have the opportunity to see your work and make any comments on it?

Yes, she saw the project and liked it. She is the author of a very interesting innovative youth center with a similar function in the city of Kaluga. Therefore, we had something to talk about and consult. I was also at her site. I am delighted. There is something to be proud of.