“AllTogether” spotlight: VIKTORIA RAYKOVA

VIKTORIA RAYKOVA Handcuffs (Tom of Finland), 2019, Photograph (120 film), 10.00″ x 10.00″, Courtesy of Forecast Journal

The Alltogether Clubhouse, New York, 2023

VIKTORIA RAYKOVA (Bulgarian, b. 1984)
A photographer and cinematographer living and working across Europe, the United States, and Asia. The magic of existence and the burning desire to remain present for every moment generated her passion for adventure and focus on documentary work. 

“I found myself observing the dimensions and aesthetics in Tom’s drawings, mathematically and meticulously attempting to understand how to best create a bridge from Tom’s drawings to photography. Sketching lighting diagrams to understand how one could replicate the highlights and shadows, thinking how to best take the dreamy TOM’s men and duplicate their artistic proportions, observing the grain structures and deciding the best film to resemble the illustrations.

When I look at all the final images, I find myself in awe. To paint with light on the black leather surfaces and smooth skin tones of the models made light feel more like a paint brush. It was an invigorating experience, and it made me feel like a different kind of creative mind than I had ever known myself to be. As an artist, you’re constantly striving to make your own unique imprint on the world. Therefore, it can be difficult to replicate someone else’s work—to try to speak in someone else’s voice. Tom of Finland’s art is iconic in the gay community. As a photographer, I was honored by the chance to use photography in an attempt to replicate such a meaningful body of work.” -VR

PHOTO: Luke Abby | LOCATION: TOM House

In celebration of Pride Month, Glenn Martens’ Diesel has joined forces with Tom of Finland Foundation for an expansive capsule collection, for the second consecutive year. This time around, the crossover range celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community with a bevy of Tom of Finland’s signature hyper-masculinized illustrations, as well as fresh works from Tom of Finland’s erotic and queer art collective. –Hypebeast

FIND YOURS FROM DIESEL

Published: 20th July 2023

Categorised in: Art Offering