cristian-calistru

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You glimpse him for a second. But he’s been watching you for hours.

Lord of Tears Directed by Lawrie Brewster, 2013

Visit my site to read more: www.cristiancalistru.com/movieposter

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La Reine Margot (1994), directed by Patrice Chéreau, is one of those films that has deeply inspired me — it’s etched into both my mind and my heart. The theatrical scenes, the dramatic lighting, the compositions that feel lifted from a painted tragedy, the soundtrack that weighs on every gesture... everything is so intense, so alive. To me, the entire film is a masterpiece.⁠ ⁠ So, in a moment of inspiration, I felt the need to pay it a small tribute: this fanmade poster, created with a lot of love and deep respect for what this film represents.⁠ ⁠ I hope it speaks to other cinema lovers too!

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Fragmentary

Lines, textures, shadows, and light shaping the essence of the feminine body. An exploration of form, balance, and visual harmony—beyond identity, beyond the face.

You can view the full uncensored series here: www.cristiancalistru.com/fragmentary

P.S. I'm glad I was able to recover this photo series that I created in the studio some time ago.

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Veil

A fleeting silhouette, draped in mystery and desire.

© Originally AI generated, then extensively refined through post-processing.

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"Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24)

For this piece, The Altar of Sacrifice, I started with the desire to visually explore the symbols found on the Great Schema worn by Orthodox monks. Using digital collage techniques, I wanted to represent them in a way that doesn't confine them to an isolated "sacred" space but brings them closer to our everyday lives, no matter who we are or where we find ourselves.

Every detail tells a story. The cross inscribed with IC XC NIKA (Jesus Christ Conquers) is not just a sign of divine victory but also of the personal struggles each of us carries. The crown of thorns, the spear, and the sponge remind us of suffering and humility, but also of acceptance. The ladder symbolizes the inner ascent, the constant struggle between falling and rising, while the pillar speaks of perseverance and the trials we face. The rooster, seemingly a simple symbol, reflects the fragility of our faithfulness and those moments when we forget who we truly are.

Read more on: www.cristiancalistru.com/conceptposters

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🌟 Website Update Alert! 🌟 I just updated my website with more information to provide you with a complete experience and make navigation easier!

I’ve worked on improving the structure, so now you can find many more details about my work, the services I offer, and how we can collaborate on your projects.

If you're looking for a custom design for rock, metal, heavy metal, folk metal bands (or other musical subgenres) and any other cultural projects, or if you know friends or acquaintances in the music/cultural field, show them my portfolio!

💥 🤘👇 www.cristiancalistru.com

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As the New Year approaches, let us remember our roots and the profound symbolism of the frenetic dances of the masked figures. 👹 The crack of whips and the jingling of bells drive away evil, clearing the path for a year filled with light and abundance!

Learn more about “The Masked” project here: www.cristiancalistru.com/themasked

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Today, December 20th, when Saint Ignatius Theophorus is celebrated, Christian and folk traditions intertwine in a day full of significance. Known as Ignat in rural areas, this day marks the ritual slaughter of pigs, preparing households for the festive meals of Christmas and New Year. This custom, symbolizing abundance and family unity, is accompanied by rituals and superstitions, as well as reflections on the loss of the tradition’s original meaning.

The artistic project "Ignat", created in collaboration with illustrator @anamaria.lemnaru , explores the human relationship with sacrifice through a visceral and raw lens. With a critique of modern excess and consumerism, the series reinterprets the Romanian tradition, engaging in a dialogue between ritual and contemporary perspectives, challenging viewers to reflect on the meaning of these customs today.

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From December 5, 2024, to January 19, 2025, the "Nicolae Gane" Museum of Literature in Iași, Romania, hosts the photography exhibition "MOROJAN". The opening took place on Thursday, December 5, in the presence of curator Mihaela Cozma and special guest, Associate Professor Dr. Loredana Gașpar. This exhibition project was developed in collaboration with illustrator Ana-Maria Lemnaru and creates a dialogue between tradition, ritual, and contemporary critiques of consumerism, showcasing two distinct yet interconnected series of photographs: "The Masked" and "Ignat". The exhibition serves as a platform for dialogue, a bridge between past and present, spirituality and modern society. The photographs and illustrations are presented in a narrative continuity, highlighting the connection between the two series through a common thread that intertwines Romanian traditions with subtle critiques of modern excess. The photographic series "The Masked" captures a complexity that goes beyond mere documentary photography. Each frame highlights the unique details of costumes and dances, as well as the energy and emotion these traditions evoke. In contrast to this vibrancy, the "Ignat" series delves into a darker, more visceral exploration of humanity’s relationship with the ritual of sacrifice. Inspired by the Romanian tradition of pig slaughter before Christmas, this series addresses themes of excess, consumerism, and the loss of the original meaning of the holidays with a raw and unflinching aesthetic. Special guest Associate Professor Dr. Loredana Gașpar, renowned for her expertise in archetypes and Romanian cultural symbolism, provided valuable insights into the significance of the traditions depicted in the exhibition. MOROJAN is, therefore, an invitation to reflect on how our traditions are reinterpreted and, at times, distorted in the modern context. Official site: www.cristiancalistru.com

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Do you want to learn more about the Romanian winter tradition that takes place on St. Ignatius' Day?

Join us on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 6:00 PM, for the opening of the MOROJAN exhibition at the Nicolae Gane Museum in Iași, Romania.

There, you will also have the opportunity to meet illustrator Ana-Maria Lemnaru, who contributed to the completion of one of the two projects featured in the exhibition.

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What do traditions still mean in a society defined by spectacle and abundance? How can we rediscover the authenticity of these rituals and their profound significance?

And, most importantly, how can we restore the connection between the past, present, and future without losing ourselves in the illusion of consumption?

You will find the answers at the opening of the MOROJAN exhibition, where curator Mihaela Cozma and Professor Dr. Gaspar Loredana will share more details about the topics explored in this project.

The exhibition also features a series of exceptional illustrations by Ana-Maria Lemnaru, which perfectly complement the overall concept.

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The Holy Mountain

The Holy Mountain (1973), directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a cinematic journey that defies all categorization, challenging the limits of perception, spirituality, and art itself. More than just a film, it’s an intense visual and philosophical experience that invites viewers to question reality itself. Jodorowsky constructs a symbolic and surreal odyssey that explores themes such as enlightenment, greed, corruption, and the search for higher consciousness, guiding the audience through a series of provocative and often shocking visual metaphors.

I was inspired to create a fan-made poster for this film because of the profound impact it had on me. Offering a unique cinematic experience, it challenged me to reflect on the limits of reality, spirituality, and the role of art as a form of liberation. Those frames filled with symbols and unexpected details, each a universe in itself, drove me to pay tribute to it in my own way.

With this poster, I wanted to capture the atmosphere of mystery and inner quest that defines Jodorowsky’s film. I aimed to reflect not only its psychedelic and avant-garde aesthetic but also the energy of the film—a subtle call to break free from conventions and open ourselves to new perspectives.

Read more on: www.cristiancalistru.com/movieposter?pgid=m0jbkhi41-1e7db5c3-711b-4925-b23b-8b4c798aeee8

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"Revelation" is my new work, which I created over two days and finished today around 4 in the morning. The idea came to me almost spontaneously, and it represents my recent reflections.

The artwork explores humanity's spiritual journey toward understanding the divine, a process of profound transformation sustained by the presence of the Holy Spirit. It also symbolizes moments of illumination and personal revelation that God offers each of us, guiding our steps toward genuine soul renewal.

In theological vision, the Holy Spirit is perceived as a sacred fire, a purifying and enlightening force that burns not to destroy but to renew, opening the heart and mind. This sacred fire represents a living flame of divine grace, which, when received, cleanses us of impurities and guides us toward an authentic existence aligned with God’s will.

_______ You can read more about this project here: www.cristiancalistru.com/conceptposters

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NOSFERATU

The film Nosferatu, the 1922 version directed by F.W. Murnau, is a visual masterpiece that deeply impressed me and influenced the way I create. When I decided to design this fan-made poster, I wanted to capture the film's unique, almost tangible atmosphere.

This poster is a personal dialogue with the film that has influenced me so much. Through it, I express not only my admiration for Murnau's vision but also my own interpretation of the film’s messages. I wanted to create something that not only catches the eye but also invites the viewer to think more deeply, to feel that subtle shiver or unease that the film evokes so powerfully.

You can read more about this project here: www.cristiancalistru.com/movie posters

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Amethyst 10/10 www.cristiancalistru.com/amethyst

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Amethyst 9/10 www.cristiancalistru.com/amethyst

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Amethyst 8/10 www.cristiancalistru.com/amethyst