On 25th June, guests at the private vernissage at Hôtel Metropole Monte-Carlo were treated to an immersive encounter with Daria Usova’s newest creations. The official artist of the Principality unveiled her latest works, combining traditional collage with cutting-edge augmented reality, personally guiding attendees through the experience – all set to the sparkle of flowing champagne.
The invitation-only event for members of the Monaco Ambassador’s Club and Club Suisse de Monaco allowed collectors direct access to the artist, who delivered a brief speech explaining the works before engaging in individual conversations.
Usova’s approach represents what she describes as ‘a collage language for the digital mind’ with works that evoke urban graffiti and social media feeds.
Her ‘Portals’ series, featured prominently at the vernissage, drew particular attention for integrating augmented reality technology. Attendees were fascinated by the AR integration, using smartphones to scan QR codes positioned next to select peaces, revealing additional layers and interactive content.
From phycology to sculpture
The evening showcased works spanning Usova’s career, including pieces from her ‘Rorschach Cards’ series—psychological mirrors that invite personal interpretation. The series gained recognition following its 2012 debut at Moscow’s RuArts Gallery, where Swiss actor Vincent Pérez attended the opening.
Guests also experienced Usova’s aesthetic in three dimensional form through exclusive collage sculptures including ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and ‘Alice: More than the World’, created entirely by the artist herself.
International recognition
Usova’s work has attracted notable collectors, with pieces acquired by luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana and members of the Kardashian family, says the artist. Her ‘Serenity’ series, featuring powerful animal archetypes set against mystical landscapes, has proven particularly sought-after with more than half of the 19 large-scale collages entering private collections across Monaco, Germany, and Luxembourg.
Central to Usova’s practice is transforming discarded magazine materials into complex artworks. Each piece is constructed by thousands of recycled fragments, addressing concerns about waste.
See more in Kyriaki Topalidou’s video reel below…
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Main photo of Daria Usova by Monaco Life.