Modul
Maxim's diploma project, Modul is centred around a comprehensive exploration of the principles of a design language.
Short film and design project, 2009
Modul is a contemplation of the nature of change happening at the intersection of elements. Operating simplest geometrical forms, Zhestkov depicts an interchange of matter and energy that becomes an impulse for the creation of something entirely new emerging from the old structure.
Through this deliberate simplicity, the artist builds a self-contained visual language that is universal and intuitive — continued in 2023 in the virtual gallery Modules.
Maxim's diploma project, Modul is centred around a comprehensive exploration of the principles of a design language. Starting with a goal to build a brand identity, Zhestkov chose a non-existent TV channel Modul as an object of his study and took a deep dive into the examination of how every detail of the channel’s visual system would affect the viewer’s perception.
The result of Maxim’s work included not only the graphic elements but also animations that were, eventually, combined in the film that Maxim released on his website in 2009.
The channel that Maxim imagined was a symbiosis of cutting-edge approaches and ideas in science, culture, music, and art.
Reflecting on the interaction of different realms of knowledge, Modul’s identity depicts a collision of impulses that brings about something entirely new and releases tons of creative energy.
Another aspect of the design language devised by Zhestkov is its modular structure.
Simple geometrical forms — triangles, rectangles, and spheres generated according to a certain set of rules — combined in more complex shapes refer to fractal structures observed in nature and enable almost endless experimentation inside the frames of a recognizable visual system.
Simulation Hypothesis
First gallery solo show finding elements of universe creation in human culture and art.
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Metaphysics
A series of artworks experimenting with material in the digital vastness.
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Artificial Organisms
A combination of biological symmetry and impeccable digital matter, they are a representation of budding artificial intelligence.
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Modules
Modules is a VR art experience, where architecture, sculpture, film, and music blend together to immerse viewers into Zhestkov's world.
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Borders
Borders is Zhestkov’s first project exploring the integration of digital sculptures into the physical reality.
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Waves
Connecting particles into mighty flows, Waves is an examination of shifts of energy in complicated systems that lead to the inevitable transformation.
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Points of View
A diptych about mind and interpretation created for Christie’s charity sale.
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PlayStation 5
Two bespoke artworks created for the global launch of PlayStation 5 based on Zhestkov's projects — Layers and Computations, which became embodiments of the soul of the new console.
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BMW i4
An exploration of the primary physical forces behind the car and a research of forces that underlie our existence in the universe.
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Computations
Computations speculates a future when computation moves from the opaque ‘black boxes’ of our laptops and devices out into the world.
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Layers
Layers is an artwork dedicated to the exploration of the relationship between the inner and the outer sides of objects.
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Volumes
An abstract representation of transformation and resilience, Volumes is an observation of digital sculptures consisting of millions of spherical particles.
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