Born in Samarkand to Ifraim Cohen-Yusupov, a descendant of Moroccan-born Rabbi Yosef ben Moshe Mammon [Maimon] Maravi, and leaved amidst the vibrant landscapes of Tajikistan and now thriving in the dynamic art scene of New York, I am an artist who traverses the realms of visual arts, set design, and costume design with a seamless blend of creativity and technical expertise.. My journey is one of exploration and expression, where the visual arts and live performance converge to create immersive experiences in theater, film, and opera across the globe.
My artistic odyssey began in 1992, and since then, my creations have been showcased on stages both in my local community and on prestigious platforms worldwide. I've had the privilege of contributing to productions at some of the world's most exciting venues, including the Metropolitan Opera House, the Bregenz Festival, Opera Australia, La Scala, the American Ballet Theatre, and Broadway. This global recognition is a testament to the universality of my artistic language and the depth of my creative vision.
Collaboration lies at the heart of my artistic philosophy. I've worked alongside some of the leading lights in theater, film, and opera, drawing inspiration and insight from each unique partnership. My collaborations with renowned figures such as Francesca Zambello, Andrew Paul, Shaig Safarov, Andrey Konchalovsky, Yefim Maisel, Julie Taymor and the innovative George Tsypin Opera Factory have been especially fruitful, allowing me to serve as a key conceptual designer and idea generator since the early 1990s. One of my career highlights was serving as an artistic director and conceptual designer for the team behind the breathtaking 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Sochi.
Beyond my collaborative endeavors, I am the visionary founder of Stage Dimensions CO, a creative collective dedicated to pushing the boundaries of stage design and performance art. My work, rooted in the rich cultural heritage of my native Tajikistan and honed amidst New York's dynamic art scene, seeks to create a dialogue between the traditional and the contemporary, the local and the global.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of a community that embraces continuous collaboration and innovation. Through my art, I aspire to captivate audiences around the world, inviting them into narratives that transcend time and space, and to continue contributing to the rich tapestry of global cultural expression.
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