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Introducing Ruslan Pilyarov

We were delighted to introduce our first cohort of Creative Associates last month. This dynamic group of eight artists and creative practitioners join our team at a crucial stage in our story.

Over the coming weeks, we'll be getting to know each associate a little better, via a Q&A. This week, meet Ruslan...

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE PRACTICE. WHAT KIND OF WORK DO YOU MAKE AND WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

Since graduating from the Documentary Film and Television course at the University of South Wales I have worked on a variety of fiction, documentaries and art projects.

My journey as a visual storyteller began with my graduation film about the life of a Syrian refugee in Wales, which has led to a BBC documentary. And then, I couldn’t stop exploring and creating many authentic videos for different organisations.

One of my last but not least creations is a unique 360-degree virtual story of the diverse community of Cardiff, where you can virtually meet people from all walks of life, with different backgrounds, religions and ethnicities and learn about them in a new way, from the comfort of your home. Find out more here.

I am very passionate about new ways of storytelling, and I believe that we need to explore and experiment with the latest tools available in order to engage with a wider audience.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO JOIN US AS A CREATIVE ASSOCIATE?

Individuals like myself who come from underrepresented communities had to learn the hard way, we had to sacrifice far too much and struggle so hard to break through.

Art and creativity is my passion. I would like to utilise my skills and experience in a productive way with a great team such as Wales Millennium Centre.

We could mutually benefit from our collaboration, exchange knowledge and enrich our experiences.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET FROM THE NEXT TWO YEARS WORKING WITH US AT WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE?

I am very grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to create together with other Creative Associates and Wales Millennium Centre. It’s such an amazing opportunity to have such a great environment and access to Wales Millennium Centre’s facilities and other artists from all walks of life.

 I hope to collaborate with creative people and produce something extraordinary together.

I’d like to make some difference for other people too. I’d like to make this world a little better even though this might sound a little cheesy, we definitely need this positive change in our lives.

THE LAST 18 MONTHS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT, BUT WHAT ARE THE POSITIVES THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THIS PERIOD FOR YOU, AND WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE?

It was a difficult time for everyone. It was confusing and uncertain at the beginning, but I had more time to exercise in nature and take a breather from the hustle and actually have time to contemplate, explore, research and learn something new each day.

I was lucky enough to have more free time and managed to develop new skills and projects. So, during the first lockdown, I looked into 360-degree virtual reality as a form of storytelling.

I was curious about how to use it not just in a commercial way (property/estate virtual tours) but in a more artistic way. As a result, I’ve developed and produced a project: Colours of Cardiff.

WHERE CAN WE SEE YOUR WORK?

You can see my work here:

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Colours of Cardiff Art Project