Spain’s got talent
On the TV show “Spain’s Got Talent,” sand artist Svetlana Telbukh delivered something truly unique to the audience. She took on the challenging task of creating portraits of the judges using sand, a material that demands exceptional skill and precision. Every movement was carefully thought out.
The audience was stunned when they recognized the judges, and the hall erupted in a standing ovation.
THE MAIN IDEA FOR A LIVE TV SHOW
CREATING A RECOGNIZABLE PORTRAIT IN MERE SECONDS USING SAND, A MATERIAL THAT BEHAVES UNPREDICTABLY, SEEMED ALMOST UNIMAGINABLE.
I spent a long time trying to figure out how to amaze the judges and the audience on “Spain’s Got Talent.” Sand art is a captivating technique, but compared to dynamic performances that capture attention within seconds, I had little time for contemplation. A painting requires at least a minute to come to life, and in that time, others can completely captivate the audience. That’s when the idea struck me: what if I drew portraits of the judges themselves?
The thought was both brilliant and daunting. Drawing a recognizable portrait is challenging enough, but doing it in mere seconds using sand—a material that behaves unpredictably—seemed almost impossible. Each grain of sand falls differently, and the result is hard to control completely. Yet, despite the risk, this idea felt like it could truly impress the judges and the audience.
To say I was nervous would be an understatement. I was taking on a challenge, knowing that portraits were not my strong suit, and that frightened me. But I decided I had to succeed! I practiced those three minutes over and over for more than a month. There were moments of despair when it seemed like I wouldn’t manage. But I didn’t give up.
Then the day arrived. As I started drawing, my hands were trembling treacherously. But I focused, pouring all my professionalism and technique, honed over years, into every movement. When the portraits were finished, I heard the applause. The entire hall stood up! The audience applauded standing, the judges were smiling, and Edurne was especially moved and also applauded standing. I will never forget that moment. It wasn’t just a victory. I saw how my work touched people’s hearts, and that meant everyone left with a piece of love and light.
I am confident that this revelation will leave onlookers wondering about the strength of the human spirit in critical times.
FUTURE SHOW
SHOW
LOCATION
DATE
School Concert The Little Mermaid
Gera, Germany
February 11, 2025 09:00
Experience the enchanting tale of “The Little Mermaid” brought to life through mesmerizing sand animation by Svetlana Telbukh, in collaboration with the Theater Altenburg Gera. Under the direction of conductor Changmin Park, the orchestra will perform Benjamin Britten’s “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,” with narration by Ruth Ohlmann. This performance blends music and visual storytelling, immersing the audience in the Little Mermaid’s journey of love and curiosity in the human world.
New Year’s Concert Stories in Sand
Bremerhaven, Germany
January 1, 2025 17:00
The art of sand painting, which brings magnificent visual panoramas to life on a sandy surface projected onto a screen, has long captivated audiences. Ukrainian sand artist Svetlana Telbukh will transform the music performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra into stunning sand paintings during the New Year’s concert.
For instance, the Witches’ Sabbath at midnight on the Bald Mountain and the enchanted forest from Shakespeare and Mendelssohn’s *A Midsummer Night’s Dream* will come alive through both sound and imagery. Additionally, the broomstick from Goethe’s *The Sorcerer’s Apprentice* will playfully emerge on the screen while being musically depicted in Paul Dukas’s symphonic poem.
Metamorphosis of the soul
Zwickau, Germany
October 2, 2024 19:30
Philharmonic concert featuring captivating sand animation by Svetlana Telbukh, presented by the Clara-Schumann-Philharmoniker Plauen-Zwickau under conductor GMD Leo Siberski.
The sand animation will enhance the Fourth Symphony, visually interpreting the emotional journey from darkness to light, with each musical phrase symbolizing liberation and triumph. The concert program includes Peer Baierlein’s Davids Bündler (commissioned work, world premiere), Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 performed by Ray Harada, winner of the 2024 International Schumann Competition, and Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120.
CREATIVE TEAM
An elegant composition acquires new meanings when it is performed by the outstanding Ukrainian violinist, candidate of art history and laureate of international competitions – Yevgenia Sirenko. As an artist of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, a group of first violins, Evgenia brings sophistication and a high level of performance skill to the performance. Her violin becomes a transmitter of deep feelings and emotions, which are intertwined with images drawn in sand. The music video becomes a kind of requiem for all the dead and victims of Russian aggression during the full-scale invasion.
MADRID
Casting for Spain's Got Talent
MADRID
Artist of the National
Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
BARCELONA
Casting for Spain's Got Talent
MADRID
Artist of the National
Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
REVIEW
Next project
Little Mermaid
Enchanting story of the “Little Mermaid” brought to life through the fascinating sand animation of Svetlana Telbukh in collaboration with the Theater Altenburg Gera. Under the direction of conductor Changmin Park, the orchestra will perform Benjamin Britten’s “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra”, accompanied by the narration of Ruth Ohlmann. This performance combines music and visual storytelling and immerses the audience in the little mermaid’s journey full of love and curiosity in the human world.
Metamorphosis of the Soul
t the 2nd Philharmonic Concert, the “Schumann Open,” sand artist Svetlana Telbukh will create her own artwork during Robert Schumann’s 4th Symphony, enriching the musical experience with a stunning sand animation. Two ephemeral art forms meet, inspiring one another.
Day of German Unity
On October 3, 2019, during the live broadcast of the “Day of German Unity” celebration from Kiel on ZDF, the Philharmonic Orchestra Kiel performed accompanied by Svetlana Telbukh, who presented a touching sand animation story about the fall of the Berlin Wall.
