Sofia Youshi

After school for design and photography I worked in theaters. My formal training was primarily in Industrial design, drawing and constructing objects for people. My activities have included costume, set, puppet, toys and visual promotion design, sound creating, acting, directing, choreography and performing. My work includes exhibitions as well as documentary videos and dance performances. Since 1995 I have been working on computer art: music, graphics, animation, logo-types, and have been creating web-sites and participating in Computer Demo parties, signing my work with the pseudonym Sofia Youshi.
Ten years ago I started to work with animals in zoos. I create constructions and toys to enrich their life. I am integrating knowledge from biology and ethology into design for animals. After many years of experimenting with various media I discovered that designing items for animals and the challenge of investigating animal behavior best expressed my personal vision of living together on this planet. My work makes people and animals stop, look, smell and touch.