It is both fascinating and profound to witness how, in our lifetime, humanity is increasingly shaping its own future. These shifts are taking place not only in the realm of the mind but also in the tangible world, from advancements in medicine to the rise of robotics. As a society, we find ourselves at a crossroads, faced with crucial decisions about the direction our future will take, balancing the interplay between the natural world and the technologies we have developed. This work is a reflection on the hope that, emerging from the void—the metaphorical darkness from which we all originated—the evolution of our future will harmonize with the cosmic, the natural, and the light, guiding us toward possibilities and wonders that remain beyond our current imagination.
Ilya Viryachev is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Almaty, Kazakhstan, who grew up in Vancouver, Canada. A graduate of the Art Institute of Vancouver, Ilya began his career as an animator, contributing to multiple television productions before transitioning into the field of concept art. With extensive experience in the animation industry, he has held the role of Art Director in Canada, overseeing creative direction for numerous projects. Currently based in Los Angeles, Ilya leads a team of artists at Sony Pictures Animation, where he is guiding the visual development of an exciting new project. In addition to his work in art direction, Ilya is passionate about traditional painting, music, and exploring new forms of artistic expression. Outside of his professional commitments, he enjoys traveling, mural painting, and hiking, constantly drawing inspiration from the world around him.
The Lantern City is grateful to be held on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). We acknowledge our privilege to be gathered on this land, and commit to work with and be respectful to the Indigenous peoples whose arts and stories inspire us to bring communities together.
