Misha, Artist, Activist, and Human

A big bang of creative vision, passion for environmental activism, love of nature, and a poignant sense of humor, has marked the birth of an artist and a multidisciplinary designer whose innovation and outside-the-box way of thinking have taken the world of art by a storm.

An Artist in The Making

Michael Tsaturyan, known as Misha Libertee, was born in Southern Russia and grew up in a household that nurtured both his creativity and artistic penchant. Enamored since childhood by video games and comic books, young Misha started creating his own illustrated stories from an early age.

Upon graduating high school, he moved to Saint Petersburg, the art capital of Russia. At that time, his art had taken the leap from sketchbooks to city walls and human bodies. Making tattoos and hand-painted t-shirts, which have had significant commercial success in Russia, helped him earn some initial capital and take classes in industrial design at a private art school.

Misha moved to Southern China, where he spent three years developing accessories for portable electronics. Being so close to manufacturing facilities allowed him to get first-hand experience in materials and manufacturing technologies of both soft goods and plastic/silicone accessories.

This brand-new acquired experience would eventually pave the way for his own signature artwork that’ll leave quite a “gigantic” imprint on the art map, making it impossible to miss or go unnoticed.

When Art Meets Activism

#Serna, a five-meter red sculpture depicting the living symbol of the Krasnaya Polyana Resort in Russia – the Caucasian Chamois and #Slonik, a 23m/75ft tall inflatable elephant that was featured at the 2019 Burning Man event and #Kraken, a mythical monster figure that’s covered with labels of products polluting the world’s oceans, are all installments of a series of giant inflatable sculptures created by Misha.

The series was designed to emphasize the artist’s support for wildlife conservation and draw people’s attention to the problem of abuse and extinction of elephants in Africa and Asia.

“In my work, I try to address social issues not only because it is relevant in modern society, but above all because I consider it a personal responsibility. I hope my art will make someone think about saving the planet, or at least bring garbage to the nearest bin.”

–Misha

Misha has also created a collection of minimalist animal sculptures made of biodegradable plastic called “Inflatable Candies,” which he announced at the Artists Playground by Pullman exhibition in Dubai and later presented entirely in Miami at the Pulse Art Fair in 2019. Soon enough, each animal from the collection would have a copy in the physical world. Like #Slonik, #Serna and #Kraken, it will be a giant public art sculpture with its own eco-educational mission.

Project Libertile

In 2020, and in his own unique way, Misha chose to shed light on the most essential element out of which architectural masterpieces have been created for many centuries, finally giving it the credit it well deserves. Taking yet another step further in expressing his eccentricity and eclecticism when it comes to art, Misha created an art project centered around and made entirely out of bricks.

“Mission of Libertile is to attract young and progressive audience into the world of art. I want to make art for each and everyone. Available and affordable not only to a private club of collectors, but also to the public.”

–Misha

The project first came to life via the most popular video game at the time, Minecraft, where everything is made out of pixel bricks, making it the perfect platform to present the concept of Libertile and introduce it to the world. Misha had held an exhibition of contemporary art in the video game itself, where he presented this collection of colorful and one-of-a-kind bricks.

A brick-shaped exhibition hall was created exclusively for this event, one that resembled the mansion from Drake’s Toosie Slide video, which the artist shot during quarantine. It wasn’t until after the quarantine that he had transferred the bricks into the physical world and presented them at his exhibition at the Winzavod Contemporary Art Center in Moscow.

The project then traveled once more from the physical world and back to the digital one. However, this time, it was in the form of NFTs, as an ensemble of collectibles that illustrates certain aspects of mankind’s history and pieces of cultural code of humanity in a simple form of a brick.

What Would Yeezus Do?

Keeping himself unchained to one medium, canvas, or theme, the Russian artist prefers to mix elements, experiment with different materials, and explore various fields of innovation. His next artistic endeavor aims to pay a homage to contemporary idolized figures of either sport, entertainment, or music using a technique that is thought to be conserved for only saints, prophets, and religious figures, stained glass.   

MVP (Most Valuable Person) is a collection of stained glass portraits in which traditional characters are replaced by figures who’ve influenced modern civilizations in different areas of culture.

“This project is rather a reflection of our times and a way to pay tribute to the people who influenced the modern civilization in various areas of culture. Scientists, musicians, and athletes are our new idols, and the stained glass is only a carrier that can accentuate their cult-like popularity.”

–Misha

In a truly innovative fashion that has become a staple in the artist’s career, and in a way to keep up with the ever-growing technologies, Misha has created his own virtual twin – Michael Tsaturyan Cybertee – who, with the help of artificial intelligence and neural networks, will soon become an independent fully digital artist that’s ready for the era of the metaverse.

The avatar has already participated in the online forum – Reforum Winning the Hearts in July 2021 and December 2021. He represented its creator at the opening of the Relictum Lab marketplace.

“Costasera Contemporary Art by Masi” MMAM Museum, Moscow 2021in 2021 Misha was selected to represent Russia in Costasera Contemporary. Art by Masi The “Costasera Contemporary Art” project, held biennially, involves the selection of an internationally famous artist, with origins in a country linked to Masi and its wines, who then has the task of producing a work of art dedicated to Masi’s iconic Costasera Amarone wine. Misha created several works in a different media (mural, painting, sculpture, and brick) with the same pattern combined from the letters of Cyrillic and Latin alphabet. Masi transformed the pattern into the label design for the 2003 Amarone limited edition.

Жаба (toad)

Misha’s work often features patterns taken from nature or the animal kingdom, for behind his eccentric sense of humor lies profound and intense respect for the planet. He believes that, regardless of the professionalism of an artist or a designer, the human brain will never be able to create anything more wonderful than nature.

This is why his source of inspiration in his project with the wine brand Masi – makers of one of the most famous producers of high-quality Italian wines in the world – was the color of exotic frogs which the artist finds particularly attractive and appealing.

Hence why he decided to use it in his work; replacing the marks with stylized letters taken from the Cyrillic alphabet – creating a bond between him and his origins – combined with others taken from the Latin alphabet to strengthen the tie with the Masi trademark and concealing the words “Misha Libertee” and “Masi Costasera” in the work.

The texture has been set out on various works created by the artist for Masi: a painting, a sculpture, a brick, and a mural created in an exceptional performance.

Misha’s label is to be found on 3,000 bottles of Costasera Amarone, 2003 vintage. The profits from sales provide the funds for a study scholarship for a young art student chosen at the end of the project.

“In my works, I would urge you to love our main source of inspiration and act responsibly in respect of the world in which we live. As the Little Prince said: ‘When you’ve finished washing and dressing each morning, you must tend your planet’.”

–Misha

Along with nature as a main source of inspiration, Misha’s innovation is fueled by the one he calls his “muse”; his wife, Konstantsiya Tsaturyan.

Konstantsiya is the Executive Director at 2ROOMZ. A guest experience solution working with the biggest hotel chains like Accor, Radisson, Hilton, IHG, Lotte, and Louvre hotels.

2ROOMZ provides safe, no-paper, and digital communication with guests, which is a must feature in this day and age, allowing hotels to sell their services online without needing to develop expensive apps that are rarely installed and seldom used by tourists.

Fab Lab Armenia Education Foundation Opening Event

On May 14th, 2022, the Armenian public had the pleasure and the great opportunity to meet our world-renowned artist, industrial designer, and futurist at the Fab Lab Armenia Education Foundation opening event. In case you missed the star performance of Misha with other fascinating (interesting, informative, cutting edge) presentations, now you can watch the webstream.

Blockchain Life, Moscow, Russia 2021. In October 2021, Misha presented an exclusive digital stained glass at one of the biggest blockchain, cryptocurrencies and mining world events. The digital artwork sold within 4 minutes of the event opening for a walloping $8,000.

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