Susi Belianska – a visual artist and photographer, who blends portraiture with intricate visual storytelling, weaving layers of emotion, light, and the passage of time.
She collaborates with leading international brands and renowned publications, including Vogue Italia, GQ, The Financial Times, and L’Officiel. Her work has been showcased at prestigious events such as the Xposure International Photography Festival in Sharjah (2024) and the Cannes Fashion Photography Festival.
In 2024, she was invited by the global brand Huawei to serve as a judge for the prestigious Huawei XMAGE Awards, an international photography competition.
Her achievements include winning the Nikon Talent Photo Contest (2013), with her work exhibited during Artissima and shortlisted for the Sony World Photography Awards (2012). She has also participated in renowned festivals such as the Ancona Photo Festival (2021) and the Grenze Photo Festival (2022).
“Das Unheimliche“
This project explores the unsettling intersection of humanity and artificiality, prompting reflection on the emotional complexities that arise when man-made creations threaten to replace living beings.
Drawing from ancient myths like Pygmalion to modern films and literature, it examines the tension between desire and fear—the allure and deception of artificial figures.
Influenced by Freud’s theory of Das Unheimliche and Mori’s Uncanny Valley hypothesis, the project captures the eerie sensation evoked by lifelike yet lifeless entities, challenging perceptions of authenticity.
The girls portrayed embody a striking duality: on one hand, they reflect the dolls’ ideal of perfection and control, with delicate features and impeccable poses; on the other, they evoke a sense of unease and dissonance, emphasissing the absence of true authenticity and vitality.
This project invites inquiry into the psychological implications of interacting with artificial entities that mimic human appearance yet lack life, urging a deeper connection with our own humanity.
