This year has been named the Year of Contemporary Photography in the Cote D’Azur. The festival of photography will last the whole summer. On May 20, the French "Gallery BOSSARA Art" will open the "Acquarius" personal exhibition of selected works by the famous Moscow photographer Evfrosina Lavrukhina

Evrosina, you studied in Italy. What role does this place play in your life?

I'd probably say it's my base. Even though I do realise that I take the bricks for my pyramid from all cultures, religions, different areas of art, children's talk, nature, scientifically cognitive articles, chance and organized meetings and lots more… The TV is the only thing I ignore.

What people and events influenced your creativity?

There is no such thing as direct influence. I know what I want and people and events show me how to do that. The main thing is to hear and see the necessary things.

Do you have any idols in the world of art?

Of course not. I have favourites. I change and become more observant of others. Now there's Hans Baldung Grien, Altdorfer, Matthias Grunewald, Bellange, Odilon Redon, Max Ernst… There are a lot I like.

What do you see yourself as on a larger scale a photographer or an artist?

For now I am a creator of visual art. The means may vary. Not long ago I was concentrating on photography, but for now I've gone back to paintings. There’s no way I can say what will happen tomorrow.

Do you find it equally interesting to photograph any type of person or is there something specially attractive in certain professions?

I don’t know what to call the thing which catches my eye in people. But it has nothing to do with professions. I start seeing a person, feeling him or her. It’s not something you can describe in words.

What are you expecting from the exhibition at Cannes?

What I most like to hear from people is: “Do you know, after seeing your work there's so much I want to do". Of course I work to understand myself and my place in the world. But giving people life energy, a reason to smile, makes me happy.