Searching for values... From Hollywood to the Holy Land

22.09.2009

An unlikely alliance has emerged in my recognizing two lifestyles, figuratively speaking Hollywood & the Holy Land, two sides of my personality that complement each-other. The motto "Ил' си Холивуд, ил' си Света Гора" transl."You're either Hollywood or the Holy Mountain" by Vjekoslav M. Cerovina made me think...

Rather than divide the world up into angels and devils, innocent and guilty, my ambition is to understand the global tendencies… as a totality, and propose awareness of possible routes and their destinations… promote the flows of what one might consider as virtue, and design replacements for wrongdoings. This is not a small task.

Which Tools can respond to this challenge?

The project includes videos, photos and panels illustrating the contrast between the two worlds and the aspiration towards both spiritual and physical perfection.

• Videos

- harmony and serenity of life devoted to God, life around the Orthodox church
- contemporary world turning its back to the culture of God-loving and embracing the culture of pleasure, self- and power-loving…

• Photos
  

- “The Holy land” showing the lives of the monks, nature, spirituality, purity of values, tranquility

- Hollywood illustrating the bling-bling society and values, angel / devil dichotomy and ever more present open propagation of the demonic on contemporary billboards, products and media

• Panels
  

- “Everything has a price… God is priceless!” 

- The Holy Land vs. Hollywood lifestyles (comparative table)

- Annual Agenda of Orthodox monks/ nuns vs. Celebrities; The audacious combination of both annual agendas (my life)

- Who are Orthodox celebrities? Do they exist at all?!

In my personal corner I will present the photo album of fashion/beauty side of me and values incarnated in Orthodoxy that I stand strongly in favour of.

MY CONCERN: Is my “searching for values” only a proof of my exhibitionism or a recognized God’s gift? This remains to be seen…

We are all fighting against our inner shortcomings and weaknesses, so do I. That is why I would like to look deep into myself and explore the dichotomy which I exemplify or the transformation that I have gone through – from ego-trip of modeling and beauty contests to spirituality...