Marina
Fini
Photographer, Film Maker,Jewelry and Costume Designer
www.MarinaFini.com
I was
flummoxed on how to write about Marina, just because it was difficult for me to
pick which one of her works I should begin with first. I think I should start
on how I met her. She was showcasing her innovative jewelry in the Yeah Gurl
Show in 7020 Melrose. Her website describes her work as an expression of “surrealism
and optical illusions in her films, photography and costume design. Her jewelry
line is an extension of the visual realities she creates in her work”. She uses
brass, 24k gold plated and sterling silver plated materials and enhances it
with the use of rainbow, angel aura and cobalt quartz. I’m no jewelry expert
but to me it appears that some of her works are inspired from Ancient Roman
pieces especially her bracelets. Her works on different colors of plexiglass
are very eye-catching with her use of inventive forms such as the pentagram and
“@” symbol and the natural shapes of cactus trees and flowers. If you like to
go on rave parties—these are the accessories you need to wear! I can imagine
lights bouncing-off of it while the wearer dances. Her designs are pretty much
the reflection of herself—psychedelic, futuristic and vibrant.
The show
room was full of vendors and short on buyers. I suspected that the heat wave LA
has been experiencing the past couple of days contributed to the tiny turn-out.
The organizers braved on with the continuous beats by the guest DJ and steady
flow of alcohol and soft drinks. There was a strong party mood and the showroom
is full of ultra- trendy people (I was the exception). The A/C was running in
full capacity but we were all still sweating and through it all Marina sits in
the corner of the shop meticulously crafting her jewelries.
Marina was a
very amicable and open person and there’s a certain glow about her that almost
makes her surreal—if I was stuck in the desert and she happens to help me I
would’ve probably thought I’m hallucinating. That it is why I’m not really too
surprised to see samples of her works in photography and costume designs
reflecting that dreamlike aura. I saw photos of her costume designs and the
Egyptian deity Horus bears to mind upon seeing a photo of one production,
although I think the dancers in the theatre were actually half-man/half-crow
humanoids.
Most of her costume
designs are posted in her website, www.marinafini.com, visit it
and see for yourself since it is terribly hard for me to describe it into words.
Since I lack any experience or knowledge, whatsoever, when it comes to costume
design, I cannot give you a comparative review. What I can definitely tell you
is that Marina puts attention to details. One costume, what to me looked like a
swanky 60’s inspired mini-dress made up of connected circular plexiglasses,
took her twenty hours to make! I asked her how she comes up with the ideas— she
said that she doesn’t really know. She is certain however that she is
interested in unconventional materials such as latex, rawhide, plastics and that
she plays with it until a concept seizes her. She said that if she has a good
idea she goes for it “People give up too easily…I don’t care if it takes me a
year to finish with what I’m doing…the important thing is to keep at it”. I ask
her about critics and she simply said not to worry about them. “Me? I’m happy
if I have only two people I can count on…never mind the rest”.
Marina Fini
is a native Californian from Sherman Oaks. She went to UC Santa Cruz for Film
Production and Costume Design. She is an up-and-coming, costume designer, an artist.
I am in fact groveling, not in a patronizing way but with sincerity, so that
she would grant me more audience while she creates her latest project. I wanted
to see her short film and her other photos. She is also currently writing a
script for a feature-length film that she intends on directing. As soon as she
grants me more interviews with her, I promise you there is more to come.
All photos and article are copyrighted.
COPYRIGHT 2013 RG Los Angeles Stories
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