English photographer creates mesmerising underwater art in Moscow basement
![](https://rtd.rt.com/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/15-b.jpg)
- Established London photographic artist Alexander James packed his studio into a truck and drove it all the way to Moscow to create a new collection.
- He rented the cellar of an old factory and transformed it into a fully functional workspace equipped with a large pool of water.
- He combines art forms to create photographs reminiscent of the old masters’, but never manipulates or edits his images.
- His Russian collection, ‘Distil Ennui’, skilfully employs water to create an effect midway between reality and dreams.
- Despite many hurdles along the way, the Englishman persevered and brought his vision to fruition to rave reviews.
Established London photographic artist Alexander James packed his studio into a truck and drove it all the way to Moscow to create a new collection.
![](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/10-1-br.jpg)
For his new project, he rented the cellar of an old factory and transformed it from an uninhabitable grotto into a fully functional workspace equipped with a large pool of water.
![© 1990-2017 Alexander James Distil Ennui Studio ®](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/immersed 23-3-br.jpg)
A stream of unusual people and things passed through Alexander’s makeshift studio in the process of creating his photographs.
![© 1990-2017 Alexander James Distil Ennui Studio ®](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/immersed 40-4-br.jpg)
Alexander has few rules but one is sacrosanct: the final images must be true representations, so he never manipulates or edits them in post-production.
![© 1990-2017 Alexander James Distil Ennui Studio ®](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/immersed 41-5-br.jpg)
Alexander combines many art forms to create images reminiscent of the old masters’. Art enthusiasts may recognise famous masterpieces referenced in his work.
![© 1990-2017 Alexander James Distil Ennui Studio ®](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/immersed 4-6-br.jpg)
The camera should do more than simply document reality – it should project a unique vision, according to Alexander.
![© 1990-2017 Alexander James Distil Ennui Studio ®](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/immersed 28-7-br.jpg)
His Russian collection, ‘Distil Ennui’, seeks to reveal the essence and beauty of life.
![© 1990-2017 Alexander James Distil Ennui Studio ®](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/immersed 34-8-br.jpg)
Water is skilfully employed to adjust reality to creative effect.
![© 1990-2017 Alexander James Distil Ennui Studio ®](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/immersed 11-10-br.jpg)
Alexander keeps certain aspects of his technique secret, as he has worked hard to develop and master a process that gives his work an enigmatic feel, midway between reality and dreams.
![© 1990-2017 Alexander James Distil Ennui Studio ®](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/immersed 7-11-br.jpg)
He encountered several logistical and bureaucratic hurdles while realising his art project that were far from dreamlike, however.
![© 1990-2017 Alexander James Distil Ennui Studio ®](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/immersed 12-17-br.jpg)
Alexander was confronted with difficulties every step of the way, and there were times when the whole endeavour appeared to be in jeopardy.
![© 1990-2017 Alexander James Distil Ennui Studio ®](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/immersed 29-19-br.jpg)
Nonetheless, the English artist was determined to see them as an adventure and a challenge rather than an insurmountable barrier.
![© 1990-2017 Alexander James Distil Ennui Studio ®](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/immersed 13-20-br.jpg)
In the end, he persevered and brought his vision for the project to fruition to rave reviews.
![© 1990-2017 Alexander James Distil Ennui Studio ®](/files/stories/english-photographer-creates-mesmerising-underwater/immersed 19-21-br.jpg)
To see how this unusual Englishman managed to create unusual and mesmerising photographic works of art in Moscow, watch Immersed in Moscow on RTD.