Ambassador and CDO.ART Registry (art. art),
Founder of Art&Tech Digital Agency TECH4.ART, expert, lecturer, and researcher in the field of Art & Culture Tech

Could You Briefly Explain The Driving Force/Motivation Behind Your Work?

For me, art is the primary force that influences the development of individuals who either already aspire or will eventually aspire to create something for society, for the advancement of the world, for the enrichment of civilization as a whole. Art plays a crucial role in shaping people who wish to contribute to the greater good. At the same time, today, one of the most significant influences on the development of our civilization is undoubtedly digital technology. My greatest joy and interest lie in merging the potential of digital technologies with the possibilities of art, and in supporting the growth of art, culture, and education through innovative digital tools and organized approaches to working with these technologies, aligned with the mission I’ve described above. That is why I study, teach, consult, and conduct my business and activities within this field.

Where/How Has Your Work Engaged With Systems Or Transformative Change-Making?

I've always recognized the immense significance of culture, art, history, and education. At the same time, I excelled in mathematics and everything related to technology. This unique combination of interests led me to pursue a diverse educational path. I studied at an art school, completed music school, and delved into history and religious studies, spending a lot of time in museums and special interest clubs. Despite my strong inclination towards the humanities, I decided to pursue a degree in advanced technologies at a technological university. Afterward, I obtained a second degree in museology, focusing on the preservation of cultural and natural heritage with a specialization in socio-cultural design. Later, I pursued yet another higher education degree in pedagogy. This diverse educational foundation laid the groundwork for my professional journey. 

From 2007 onward, I was the Director of Development for a technology-oriented organization specializing in the highly precise digitization of artworks incorporated into multimedia projects within this domain. These projects encompassed websites, interactive and multimedia exhibitions, book publications, facsimile editions, reproduction creation, database management, and more. 

In 2012, we, with colleagues, established and subsequently I led the Department of Information Technologies in Culture at one of the largest universities in Russia, HSE, a position I maintained for ten years. I taught courses for students related to innovation in high-tech business, using examples of how technologies are applied in the arts and culture sector. Additionally, I conducted extensive outreach and methodological work, preparing books, manuals, textbooks, and more. Numerous studies were conducted under my direction about utilizing innovative technological solutions within the arts and culture sector, and various museums and cultural institutions in Russia and neighboring countries have since adopted the developments we made.

In 2013, I received an invitation to assume the role of Director of Technology, and later Director of Digital Development, at one of Moscow's largest museums, The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (pushkinmuseum.art), where my employment continued for nine years. During this timeframe, I was deeply involved in the development project of this esteemed institution, which houses a remarkable collection encompassing more than 700,000 objects. Our efforts were focused on a project to reconstruct the museum, envisioning its transformation into the largest museum complex in Europe, comprising nearly 100,000 square meters of construction, 29 buildings, and structures, all of which would form part of one of Russia's oldest museums, established in 1912.

My goal has always been to maximize the impact of professional activities, promote data openness, foster scientific exchange, and create an open and inclusive digital environment in the fields of culture, art, and education. The focus was on ensuring that these projects were of the highest quality, consciously developed, sustainable, and designed to last for many years, rather than just for the short term.

In 2022, after the events of February, I resigned from all positions in March 2022, and my department was subsequently disbanded and closed. During the summer of 2022, I was invited to join .Art Registry as CDO, a position I continue to hold. In this role, I strive to contribute to the development of the best digital services and ecosystems for artists, based on domain names, websites, certification systems, and projects associated with this direction in collaboration with this remarkable company.

Then I relocated to Uzbekistan in the summer of 2022, and then to Israel in May 2023. Throughout this period, I continued my consulting activities, working with clients in the arts and culture sector. This international experience has enriched my understanding of the diverse needs and challenges faced by artists, collectors, and cultural institutions, and has shaped my approach to integrating technology with their activities.

As an Israeli citizen, I founded my Art&Culture Tech digital agency (TECH4.ART) and continue to work with clients around the world, supporting their aspirations to use various technologies to develop art, culture and education. I also continue to work on my research and creative projects. For example, we are currently launching the AI Hokusai ArtTech Research Project (https://www.aihokusai.art/) with partners.

How Can The Transformations Community Support Your Work?

To continue working and developing peacefully, I need new clients and projects, and in this regard, I am open to collaboration and discussions about exciting new opportunities. At the same time, I believe that I can also contribute to the development of the community through my knowledge, experience, and expertise. Moreover, I think it would be great if the projects I am currently launching gain as much visibility as possible, especially when we achieve results in our research activities together with my colleagues. I would be grateful if the Transformations Community could help spread the word about these initiatives and invite others to participate in these projects.