VARVARA DEGTIARENKO is a New Orleans based filmmaker and photographer exploring stories rooted in preserving memory—especially memory’s creative nature. She studied art history at VCU in Richmond (2011) and graduated from Strelka Institute in Moscow, Russia (2013), an interdisciplinary urbanism and activism program, where she focused on local museums as avenues for positive change. Her studies, as well as working first in textile conservation both in the US and in Russia, instilled in her a deep value for preserving the past as a form of activism. She also explores narratives within the artistic process, including filming with musicians, visual artists, or dancers.
Degtiarenko is interested in how art conservation ethics can merge with storytelling. She approaches documentary film and photography as a conservation tool, exploring themes of historical memory, decolonization, inclusion, power, love and identity, with a particular connection to Eastern Europe.
varvaradegtiarenko@gmail.com
757-871-9378