10 Questions with Gregory Boyarintsev

Gregory Boyarintsev was born and raised in North Kazakhstan. Growing up, he attended school and later studied marketing at university. However, it was through his love of art that Greg found true fulfillment.

At the age of 11, he discovered his passion for music after being inspired by the band Linkin Park. Greg began playing piano and has since expanded his musical talents to include guitar and singing. His love for art also led him to explore photography and videography. In 2020, Greg began drawing as a way to cope with depression and personal struggles. He combined his passion for drawing and photography, experimenting with integrating AI into his work.

Through his art, Greg seeks to explore complex themes related to mental health, morality, and spirituality. He draws from personal experiences of depression, relationship troubles, and pressure from the church to create meaningful and thought-provoking pieces. His dedication to his craft has earned him recognition for his work in sound design on the short film "The Pray," which won awards at the Ural Movie Festival.

Despite the challenges he has faced, Greg's passion for art continues to drive him forward. He is always seeking to push boundaries and create new and innovative work. Through his music, photography, and art, Greg hopes to inspire others to reflect on the world around them and to find deeper meaning in their own lives.

www.gregboyar.art | @greg.boyar

ARTIST STATEMENT

Gregory is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work spans music, art photography, and motion graphics. For him, art is an essential part of life, something he needs to stay alive. Gregory's artistic practice involves integrating AI into his photography, using painting software to remix the photos with his own hand-drawn elements. As a musician, he plays guitar and sings, and he's currently exploring different ideas and themes to express through his music.

In both his photography and music, Gregory is interested in exploring complex issues related to mental and moral health, and he often uses allegory and metaphor to express these ideas. Through his work, he seeks to encourage reflection and contemplation, inviting viewers and listeners to engage with these topics in a deeper way.

While Gregory is still exploring different ideas and themes in his work, his artistic vision is centered on creating meaningful and thought-provoking experiences for his audience. Whether through his music or his photography, he hopes to inspire others to reflect on the world around them and to find deeper meaning in their own lives.

INTERVIEW

First of all, who is Gregory Boyarintsev, and how would you describe yourself in 3 words?

Creative: I pursue creativity. Reflective: I'm introspective and thoughtful. Traveler: I'm a wanderer seeking a home.

Do you remember when you first decided you wanted to be an artist?

I did not have a specific moment in which I decided to become an artist. Instead, my passion for art has been with me since my childhood, and it's a part of my identity that I've always felt deeply connected to. For me, art is an essential part of my life, and it comes naturally as a way for me to express myself creatively.

Glitches in our brain #1, 2022 © Gregory Boyarintsev

Glitches in our brain #2, 2022 © Gregory Boyarintsev

Let's talk about your work. What inspired you to pursue a career in art?

As I mentioned earlier, there was no specific moment in which I made a conscious decision to become an artist and pursue it as a career. Instead, my passion for art has been a part of my identity for as long as I can remember. It has always been a natural and permanent part of who I am. However, I must note that my first inspiration and passion was for music, which later expanded to include other forms of art like photography, drawing, and motion graphics.

You work with different mediums, such as music, photography, and motion graphics. How do you keep a coherent approach in your production?

That's actually my favorite question! Keeping a coherent approach can be quite challenging, especially since I use different mediums to express different ideas. When I'm not sure how to express something through one medium, I often try to convey it through another. So, each medium becomes a way to explore different aspects of the themes that inspire my work.

Where do you find inspiration for your work and what is your creative process like?

I strive to draw inspiration from the world around me and from the works of my favorite artists. My creative process is often sparked by restless nights, when a particular idea or topic keeps gnawing at me until I am consumed by it. During these periods, I take notes to capture my thoughts and ideas, which helps me when I sit down to create. I also find that my dreams play a significant role in inspiring my art; sometimes, they allow me to discover aspects of myself, my art, and my world that I might not have otherwise considered

How would you define your style? And how has it evolved over the years?

I am still exploring and experimenting with different styles in my music, trying to find my own unique sound. While I thought I had found it before, I ended up losing it, and so I continue to search for my signature style. My favorite bands are a big source of inspiration for my music, and I draw from their sounds to create my own. As for photography, I am drawn to a cinematic style that is influenced by my love of films, and I don't see myself deviating from this style in the future. I enjoy capturing photos that tell a story, using color to convey mood, emotion, and narrative. I am particularly fond of vintage film colors, as they can help me to express the feelings I want to convey. In my drawings, I strive to capture the imagery and symbolism that I experience in my vivid dreams. These dreams often inspire me to create unique and surreal pieces that are both thought-provoking and aesthetically pleasing.

What do you wish to communicate to the public with your work?

Through my work, I aim to communicate complex ideas related to mental and moral health. I often use allegory and metaphor in my photography and music to invite viewers and listeners to engage with these topics in a deeper way. My artistic vision is centered on creating meaningful and thought-provoking experiences for my audience, encouraging them to reflect on the world around them and find deeper meaning in their own lives.

The Memories Book, 2022 © Gregory Boyarintsev

You also work with AI. What is your take on this subject? And in which direction do you wish technology would grow in future years?

I believe that AI is just another tool for creating art, much like a guitar, pencil, or any creative software used on a computer. However, I also believe that having access to these tools does not automatically make someone an artist. Just like a skilled musician who can play an instrument well and write a beautiful song that lacks substance, an AI-generated artwork can be aesthetically pleasing but devoid of any artistic statement or message. Simply adding generating art with AI is not enough because what truly matters is the artist's intent and the message they want to convey through their work. In the end, it is the artist's unique perspective and creative vision that draws people in, not just their technical abilities. I believe that in the future, AI will be capable of performing a wider range of tasks, but I don't think they can replace humans as artists. AI lacks the ability to inspire itself and generate new ideas. It cannot write a song or create art without some form of human input or prompt. While it is possible to generate a song or write a poem using chat AI, it does not make one a songwriter or author at the level of Thom Yorke or Jack London.

The Girl in the Gray Ocean, 2023 © Gregory Boyarintsev

What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future in terms of new projects?

I am currently in search of a new direction for my music, as I have an album concept in mind, but I am struggling with the music and melodies, even though the lyrics are halfway done. I am optimistic that I will find my way soon. As for my photography, I aim to continue creating art sessions and expanding my audience for both my music and photography. After all, what is art without an audience to appreciate it?

Finally, what are your goals for 2023?

I've already shared a lot about my creative plans and goals, so let me now share a little bit about my personal life. I travel a lot, and honestly, I'm getting a bit tired of it. I would like to find a place I can call home. This year, I'm considering moving to either the EU or the UK to focus on creating my art there. Once I have a settled home, I hope to get a pet, preferably a parrot!

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