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Post-Grad Portraits: Svitlana Reinish

portrait photo of woman with priojected patterns on her

Written byPost-Grad Community
Published date 23 January 2024

A series of interviews with alumni from across UAL, Post-Grad Portraits is a chance to highlight the achievements of postgrads from the last decade. Post-Grad Portraits is part of our celebration of Post-Grad Community's 10 year anniversary.

Svitlana Reinish

MA Theatre and Performance Design, Wimbledon College of Arts 2023

Hello Svitlana! Could you introduce yourself?

I'm Svitlana Reinish, an artist from Kyiv, Ukraine. I specialize in projection mapping, theatre design, and visuals for theatres and concerts. I work as a VJ and art director, and I also lecture on media art and conduct workshops on VJing. I recently completed the Theatre and Performance Design course at Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL, graduating in 2023.

architectural sculpture with steps and figure lit up in colours — **Svitlana Reinish,** **the set design for Solaris ballet, Final MA project 2023**

Tell us about what you do now.

I am currently immersed in a captivating project – designing a video projection for the Geneva LUX Light Festival scheduled for January 2024. This particular project involves a water screen, a challenge I've always wanted to tackle. It's both exciting and demanding due to the unique constraints posed by the water screen. I thrive on expanding my horizons through such challenges.

projection of lights hovering over water — **Svitlana-Reinish,** **Infinity Whispers, water screen projection at Geneva Lux Festival 2024**

Following the completion of my course at UAL, I received an offer from Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet based on my final project. Consequently, my design for the ballet Solaris is set to be showcased on the stage next autumn, and I am already deeply engaged in its development.

ann old opera house lit up in colours — **Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Ukraine**

Also, I am actively exploring job opportunities here in London, primarily seeking roles as an art director for art projects. Unfortunately, due to frequent Russian bombings back home, returning is not currently an option. Thus, I plan to stay in London for the foreseeable future.

What's your proudest moment?

One of my proudest moments occurred when I had the unique opportunity to present my artwork to King Charles III in Liverpool this year. It was an extraordinary and surreal experience.

Also, my university journey marked another major proud moment for me. The realization of studying in England seemed almost unreal for various reasons, making getting into university a significant milestone.

king and queen walking past a public art work — **Liverpool Echo,** **King Charles and Queen Camilla with Svitlana viewing Soloveiko project - image credit Liverpool Echo**

public art sculpture big bird with woman stood in front — **Svitlana Reinish,** **Soloveiko Songbird in Liverpool during Eurovision**

What’s your biggest strength?

My primary strength lies in my keen sense of aesthetics, often referred to as 'good taste.' Complemented by extensive experience, curiosity, and a passion for learning new things, I find joy in exploring and acquiring new skills.

A pivotal strength is my artistic vision, a guiding force that enables me to identify the right tools and develop the necessary skills—be it in mastering computer programs or any other medium—to manifest my creative vision.

This perspective motivated my decision to study at UAL; not to learn how to have a vision, but to acquire the tools needed to express it effectively in the realm of set design.

woman stood in front of colourful stained glass windows — **Liubov Durakova,** **during a live performance of The New Renaissance 2.0 in Stuttgart, 2023. Photo by Liubov Durakova**

What's your biggest weakness?

I would say my biggest weakness is that I sometimes think I'm lazy. I tend to be quite critical of my own efforts, always feeling that there's room for improvement and that I could accomplish more. However, I acknowledge this tendency and continually work to set realistic goals, manage my time efficiently, and find ways to stay motivated and focused on tasks.

What's the most significant learning experience you've had?

One of the most significant learning experiences for me was during Unit 2 at UAL when our group was tasked with a project in a university theatre. The opportunity to work in a real theatre, alongside a real team, utilizing physical materials and turning conceptual ideas into a concrete reality was truly remarkable. The experience of presenting our work to an actual audience was not only educational but also incredibly fulfilling.

performer sat on ground and lit up in colours — **Jiayuan Bai,** **an audio-visual performance. Performer: Lucie Iredale. Wimbledon College Theatre, 2023. Photo by Jiayuan Bai**

What's your favourite artwork?

Given my classical art education, it's challenging to pinpoint a single favorite artwork. In the realm of painting, I have a deep admiration for Paul Gauguin and the impressionists, although choosing a specific artwork is a tough task due to their collective brilliance.

When it comes to new media art, the works of Tobias Gremmler and Refik Anadol stand out for me. However, the world of art is rich with exceptional talent, and many artists continually inspire me with their innovative creations.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In the next decade, I see myself leading my own studio, specializing in theatre design and video design for art events. I aim to lead a dynamic team, collaboratively bringing my creative vision to life on a larger scale. Alongside professional success, I anticipate continuous personal and artistic growth, exploring new avenues and pushing the boundaries of creative expression within the realm of design and visual arts.

Do you have any displays/exhibitions/projects coming up for us look out for?

In October 2024, at Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet, my set design for Solaris ballet will be showcased. There will also be a few other projects and residencies for which I can't provide details yet, but stay tuned—via my website and Instagram!

Where can people find out more about your work?

My website: reinish.org

My Instagram: reinish_visuals