”I hope that globalization will finally come to an end. Social policies in many countries need to change, to return to a welfare society that we once had and lost during the financial crisis and now the COVID crisis.”
What drives you?
Photography is my way of expressing myself, my creative channel. Essentially, what I do is constantly portrait myself—through objects, buildings, female models, or self-portraits.
Are these all your “children”?
Well, it’s all part of me. I suppose “my children” will be a part of me, but the parental instinct hasn’t fully awakened yet—let’s say it’s just a part of me…
What else do you do?
I am the director of the Belgrade Month of Photography festival, and I am also the founder of the Bartcelona concept (Bartcelona Pop Up and Bartcelona Inked).
What should an artist possess, in terms of qualities and skills?
First and foremost, an artist should have something to say, something to express, and then the ability to realize it. Technical knowledge is very important, but anyone can learn that.
Criticism? Who or what can influence your work? …placement of work?
I always listen to all criticism, both good and bad. The good ones are perfect, of course, my ego needs to be fed, but the bad criticisms are also very important; they require time to think about, process, sleep on, and then, if I think it’s right, I consider them. I’m talking about details, small things that, if done differently, can improve results, not about topics and ideas in general.
Who is your superhero? Who are today’s superheroes?
Today all my superheroes wear white – they are doctors, nurses, and other people who take care of all of us, fighting against the Coronavirus, while some of them have even given their lives for us.
What does isolation mean to you?
Well… I am a person who has always loved and felt comfortable in my own solitude, but this is my first time in mandatory isolation. For me, this is the right time to do things I haven’t done for a long time: reading a lot in the morning on the terrace in the sun, exploring photo books, starting an online MoMA course, cooking, trying new recipes, enjoying drinks, music, dancing… but, of course, I miss personal contact and walking.
What good can come out of this situation?
I hope we will reconsider some things.
I hope that globalization will finally come to an end. Social policies in many countries must change, returning to the welfare society we had and lost during the financial and now Coronavirus crises.
Do you have a TV at home?
Yes, I do. The apartment I rented when I moved to Belgrade was fully equipped, with a TV. Sometimes I would watch FC Barcelona matches or movies on my old DVD. I’m sure that if I hadn’t gotten it, I wouldn’t have bought one.
Do you listen to the radio?
Yes, all the time. Nowadays I listen… I almost never listen to music on the radio, only programs, of course, from Catalan or Spanish radio stations. While driving, I listen to Radio Belgrade 2 or Radio Belgrade 202 (sometimes at home as well).
Bicycle or sand?
If you ask me city or nature, the answer is the city. I’m 100% an urban person. But if you ask city or beach, I’d choose the beach. Sun is my life, the beach is a symbol of my hedonistic lifestyle. Drink, a good book, good company… what else to choose? Well… a camera.
Are you vegan or vegetarian?
For a short time I was pescetarian. I like fish. But the truth is, I actually eat everything, though in the end… I only buy organic eggs at the market. I almost never buy meat. When I’m outside Serbia, I eat a lot of fish. In the end, I can say I’m almost vegetarian, out of responsibility.
Beer or wine?
In principle, beer, but every moment calls for a different drink. I’m a creature of habit.
Beer and wine can appear at the same time of day, usually outside the house. I have time for a Red Vermouth before lunch, after lunch a dessert wine like Porto or Catalan Moscatell; for an aperitif, often while cooking, a dry white wine like Andalusian Fino or Manzanilla, or Prosecco or Catalan Cava.
Do you recycle?
In Barcelona, yes. There it’s a kind of obligation.
In Belgrade, it’s not easy. I recycle batteries and, since this year, plastic bottles, but I have to go to Studenski trg. Another form of recycling is finding and reusing items, and sometimes selling interesting things I find in trash or at flea markets. Also, some of my own items that can be reused I leave visible next to containers.
Book / Film?
Before, I used to watch one film every day, and during this isolation, two. I follow the Filmoteca de Catalunya program. I collect their programs and watch films online (did I mention I’m a man of rituals?). As for authors… I like many… Michel Houellebecq or Amélie Nothomb are a few names.
Regarding books, since I was 15 I’ve always had a book with me. Now, during isolation, I’m constantly reading, but also every day I dive into one of my photo books, carefully reading and enjoying it. It’s a shame to buy them and then not have time to enjoy them… now is the time.
Music…?
Yes, I love music. Rock, Alternative, Old Pop.
During isolation, all my Spanish music immediately makes me dance. I also have my classics like The Doors, The Velvet Underground, Iggy Pop, Placebo, Suede, Pet Shop Boys, PJ Harvey, and many others, but then there are those that suddenly appear… the latest is Nancy Sinatra.
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