”Superheroes? Invisible people — not because they have the superpower to be unseen, but because they do their unseen work as best as they can. People who give their all, even though their efforts often go unrecognized.”
What drives you?
Imagination, emotions, and then more imagination… followed by a strange sense of beauty and, of course, music. I’m happy that I chose a profession where the possibilities for exploration are almost limitless — so many that I probably won’t get to do everything I’ve wanted. I’m also driven by the belief that it’s very important to strive to be good at what we do.
They are all my children…
Being a mom is the most important thing in my life, something that has shaped me profoundly. If you add to that the fact that I started working in education very early, the result of this equation is pretty clear. Honestly, this “question” made me laugh, because I could clearly see myself as a comic book character, with this very line written in a speech bubble above my head.
What else do you do?
Besides being a teacher who tries to pursue my artistic work consistently, there’s only time left for everyday, small tasks. Sometimes I enjoy them, but lately I’ve been feeling that they take up too much energy.
I enjoy tinkering around the house. That love isn’t quite in proportion to my skill, so the result is often funny, but the important thing is that it “works.”
Sometimes I write a little. Again, the results are often amusing, though occasionally I end up liking what I’ve written.
What should an artist possess — qualities and skills?
What qualities should a successful artist have, and what about a good artist? They’re not always the same.
Ambition is certainly necessary, but ideally it should be spent on the artistic work itself, at least as much as it’s spent on promoting one’s work.
Of course, some kind of talent is essential, but that’s already a given. Talent is a delicate plant — it needs constant nurturing, and that requires a lot of work.
I think it’s very important to be willing to take risks, and therefore to make mistakes. A mistake made by an artist won’t cost anyone their life, but it can open completely new spaces for the artist.
Criticism? Who and what can influence your work? …the presentation or placement of your work?
I don’t even intend to touch the topic of art criticism — it would be too broad, too depressing…
What interests me is criticism on a personal level — the kind you get from friends and colleagues. That kind of feedback is precious to me. Even if I don’t follow it, I hear it, and it always leaves a mark.
I think that kind of exchange is something that’s missing enough today. It seems we’ve forgotten how to do it.
Who is your superhero? Who are today’s superheroes?
Invisible people — not because they have the superpower to be unseen, but because they do their unseen work as best as they can. People who give everything they have, even though their efforts often go unrecognized.
Besides them, for me, heroes are patient, gentle parents — people who treat other children with the same care. I also think of people who aren’t ashamed to be kind or to stop and talk to a street dog. There are more, but I can’t remember them all. Probably because they’re invisible.
What does isolation mean to you?
I practice it often, so this enforced kind doesn’t weigh too heavily on me. Of course, it’s a kind of isolation that still allows you to listen to the world — it just gives you a certain distance, so you can see more clearly.
True isolation is when you notice nothing at all.
What good can come out of this situation?
Many things will be different, but I’m not sure they will be better. A lot of positive outcomes could emerge from this situation, but we’ve missed too many opportunities like this in the past. As we often hear from Dr. Kona these days — I’m a moderate optimist.
Do you have a TV at home?
That’s confidential information.
Do you listen to the radio?
I listen to it intensively in the summer, when I’m out of the city.
Bicycle or sand?
Sand? The beach? In that case, definitely sand.
Are you vegan or vegetarian?
No. Sometimes I feel a little embarrassed, but I admit that the embarrassment doesn’t last long.
Beer or wine?
Beer.
Do you recycle?
I try to make use of everything that “can be useful,” although I haven’t reached the stage of washing plastic bags yet. I like making something useful out of packaging — even if it’s just a temporary pallet or a toy for the cats. Unfortunately, in my area, there are no recycling bins.
Book or movie?
I love indulging in the stories of Bruno Schulz. I’m also happy when I discover a good writer, and then I make an effort to find and read everything that author has written. My most recent discovery like that was Jim Crace.
I watch films totally indiscriminately. I consume movies of all kinds… there are plenty of bad ones, a lot of wasted time. It’s my guilty pleasure, and I don’t regret it at all. But then, when a film really “blows me away,” I’m dazed for days. The most recent experience like that was the film Monos by Alejandro Landes.
And music…?
I listen to truly different kinds of music. Recently, for example, I stumbled upon the band Cavern of Anti-Matter, and I find them really interesting at the moment. Lately, I’ve also been listening to jazz more and more. I’m a big fan of Radiohead.
Recommend a website/portal/app…
https://gallery-shots.blogspot.com/
Well before the current period of isolation, this site gave us the opportunity to see all the exhibitions we had missed.