The toothy dragons, detached faces of ancient deities, strange creatures with stolen eyes ... The Kati collection is associated with mysterious wild tribes. And some of its copies seem not so much souvenirs as the subjects of pagan cultures. However, it does not confuse the TV presenter - it is not afraid of experiments. This can be seen even by her career. For a long time Konovalova was the face of the information program. And once, in order to relax a little from the framework of a strict dress code, she starred in a frank photo shoot for a male magazine. The scandal was loud ... High-willed beauty was even sent to a permanent vacation. But soon returned. Katya tried himself in different genres: Removed the plots for the headings "All Morning Peace", led Fort Boyard programs, show "Desperate Housewives", as well as sports news. In its service list there were not only gears with a mystical bias. A rich collection of masks, among which ethnic exhibits prevail, this gap compensates.
Katya, are you generally prone to mysticism?
Katya Konovalova: "You guessed! I love to solve riddles that give life, and identify human characters. Each of us wears a mask, and not one: we are different at work, in the company of friends and unfamiliar people ... It is interesting to see me for a look and play something real. Over the outside and beauty of the collected masks also hides something deeper. These are my emotions, memories, impressions. Each "face" on the wall is associated with a certain point of life - travel, people. "
How did your collection start?
Katya: "I lived since childhood surrounded by masks - thanks to dad. They have no apartment with mom, but a museum. By profession, he built a lot of buildings of embassies in exotic countries for his life. From business trips, he brought wooden products of various kinds and size. Among them were masks from Burma, Ethiopia and South Africa. Gloomy, with horns - like devils. But mom and dad believe that these are residents of dwellings.
The spectacular exhibit from Kenya from which the TV presenter began. Photo: Sergey Kozlovsky.
From the journeys, I often brought the masks to parents, but he herself relate to them calmly - before the trip to Kenya of the year four years ago. On Safari in the Masai Mara Reserve, almost in the midst of Savannah and my husband and I saw some shop with local souvenirs. I went to - and I immediately rushed into my eyes stunning purple mask, decorated with beads. The seller fell into a stupor when we asked us to sell it. Apparently, the mask hung just like that for beauty. Not based on the buyer. But in the end we purchased it for a hundred dollars and two weeks of vacation taped with them for all other country's reserves. My personal collection began with it. "
What criteria do you replenish it?
Katya: "I most importantly, that the masks were bright and ill. The skill of their execution is also taken into account. I love fine wood threads. In addition, it is important for me to bring them from the trips. They must cause pleasant memories. At one time I started buying masks in Moscow, but then I realized that it was not that. Just feeling. Although there are peculiar masks among them - for example, a long green with a big mouth ... In general, I returned to the tradition of buying travel masks. "
What is this strange mask with multiple faces?
Katya: "They say she gives health. Small faces in a circle personify different illegal, including blindness and madness. And it is believed that this mask from Sri Lanka protects its owners from all diseases. "
And where did the creature come from long horns like a bull?
Katya: "With Sardinia. There is a national holiday every year, on which representatives of different regions of the island put on carnival costumes. So-called Mamutones wear sheep's skins and horns on this day. I once took part in this incendiary event for work (we shot the plot) and on the occasion acquired a horned mask. "
Mask, painted by marine inhabitants, reminds Kate on holidays in the Maldives. Photo: Sergey Kozlovsky.
You have a lot of ethnic exhibits. Interested in legends that are related to creatures depicted on them?
Katya: "No, styling of history and mythology is not mine. In these areas, I have only basic knowledge. Some deities are easy to find out. We have a lot of buddha images. Vietnamese is a round, with thick urine ears. And the Buddha from Indonesia is more refined and characteristic. Perhaps such differences are associated with the peculiarities of the appearance of each nation. My husband and I love Ganesh very much - the Indian God of Wisdom and Good. It is depicted with an elephant head and with a mandatory companion - mouse. "
Does your special care require?
Katya: "Some masks are sometimes cracking due to lack of moisture. Dad shared a secret, how to avoid it. Since new specimens are bought mainly in hot countries, where the climate is different from our, then wooden masks should be transported by a wrapped damp cloth. And in the same way to keep them in the first days after moving. But sometimes even these precautions do not help. "
It seems to me that at dusk your masks look frightening. You did not happen to pass by them at night?
Katya: "I am pleased to admire them and day and night! When the look falls on them, always think: ah, what beauty! What are they afraid of them? We chose them themselves! "
The collection prevails exotic deities from Africa, Thailand and Indonesia. Photo: Sergey Kozlovsky.
How do children perceive your passion?
Katya:
"They like it. The guys take part in choosing masks. And at home love to find a place for them. The eldest son, Artem, advises the right composition, and the younger, Vanya, takes a toy hammer and attracts new exhibits with dad. Artem already replenishes our collection. I bought a spectacular red mask in the form of a female head with a flower on the forehead. "
What does this collection give you?
Katya: "Emotions are important for me. It is worth clinging to look at some memorable thing, as they immediately postpone into those places where she was brought from. Here, for example, bronze mask from Crete. Looking at her, you immediately feel the moments of summer holiday. We lived there for a long time and fell in love with this island. "
Venetian mask is one of the most elegant your exhibits. Have you been there on the carnival?
Katya: "No, but we will definitely take part in it with the whole family. In general, at first, all Italian masks seem great. At the end of winter, they are sold in almost every store. But while you inspect all the showcases, the perception is dulled. And only then gradually learn to distinguish lots from works of art. Once we went to the store and saw the wizard at work. He was sitting and straight from the process. It was very inspired by me, and I chose one of his masks. She is so bright and exquisite, which will decorate any wall. "
A masterpiece from Venice will decorate any wall. Photo: Sergey Kozlovsky.
Surely you have tried it. What feelings?
Katya: "I did not have a feeling of some reincarnation. I am in my own, and the mask in itself. But I will gladly play this game on the carnival and find there any new exhibit. "
What will you do when masks will be too much?
Katya: "We have the construction of a country house. I think the collection will be comfortable there. By the way, my hobbies are not limited to masks. I recently began to collect vintage jugs. These are also mystical subjects. In some of them, they say, jeans are found, which are performed by the most intimate desires ... "