”I believe that this distancing will somehow bring us closer together, and we will also turn more toward nature. It is necessary to read the signs that the universe is leaving us; I think this is a serious warning…”
What drives you?
A million things, I don’t even know where to start. But what drives me the most are love, curiosity, and inventiveness. Also, the sun, a cheerful spirit, and humor… I’m also driven by unsolvable problems.
All of these are my children…
Anika and Majda are my children. As for my works, I wouldn’t call them children, since I somehow see them more as colleagues or friends. We collaborate, share advice with each other, and grow together. There’s sometimes frustration, but in the end, we resolve all disagreements.
What else do you do?
Besides vector illustration, I mainly work in industrial and graphic design, although I am also deeply passionate about conceptual design and conceptual art as a broad field of multidisciplinarity… I believe that something that has no immediate application now will find one in seven years.
What should an artist possess, qualities and skills?
I would say it’s a combination of personality, talent, and a mix of circumstances. There’s no universal formula for earning the title of an artist. One thing is certain: what you do, you must do with great love, and you must believe in your own work.
Criticism? Who or what can influence your work?… the placement of your work?
In my case, learning to accept criticism took years. Now I can confidently say that criticism and I are in a constant flirtation. My work is influenced by what happens around me, for example this whole situation with COVID-19 and the people involved… I don’t know why, but it really inspires me. As for placement, placement is a relative thing—sometimes you chase it, and sometimes it finds you.
Who is your superhero? Who are today’s superheroes?
I’ve never had idols or superheroes, but somehow I like Deadpool the most. During this state of emergency, I truly admire the shop clerks who put themselves at great risk for our sake.
What does isolation mean to you?
I see isolation as an inevitability at this moment, and I don’t find it hard that I have to stay at home. This isolation is a unique opportunity to spend the whole day with my daughters and my spouse, since under normal circumstances, everything is different because of work and other obligations. Even though everyone suggests ways to spend your time, every second of mine is filled from morning to night… and even during the night.
What good can come out of this situation?
I think the distance will somehow bring us closer, and we will turn more towards nature. We need to read the signs the universe leaves us, I believe this is a serious warning… I hope humanity will wake up in time and smarten up… what a fairytale!
Do you have a TV at home?
I haven’t used a TV for 12 years, but I’ve been watching it for the last 3 years. Generally, I only need it occasionally for a match… I’m not an addict… In fact, it even annoys me how mindlessly channels are switched… I don’t even know how to exploit that device well.
Do you listen to the radio?
Only in the car. I think the quality of radio stations has dropped significantly, and there’s no sign that anything will change soon. We need better stations. I’m not counting internet radio stations, they are something else.
Bicycle or sand?
Sand or pedestrian… 🙂 A pedestrian who loves sandy beaches, and I’ve never had my own bike… That was my childhood wish, as I was constantly “borrowing” it from my sister.
Are you vegan, vegetarian?
I love vegan cuisine, but I don’t shy away from meat either.
Beer or wine?
Beer, without further discussion…
Do you recycle?
Yes, I’m a big enthusiast when it comes to recycling, despite the difficult circumstances. The nearest recycling station is 2 kilometers from my house, so once a week I carry a bag of plastic and a little bit of everything else. A big problem in our country is the slow resolution of this issue. I’m not interested in the stories about where what we throw ends up, I simply don’t want that to affect my duty to do this. I can tell everyone that it just takes a little more will and persistence. Your conscience will be clean.
Book / Film?
I would recommend two phenomenal films I watched relatively recently: “Corpus Christi” (a Polish film from FEST 2018) and “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot.” The first one is very thought-provoking, and the second is deeply inspiring. I don’t get to read many books, but I do maintain a steady reading habit. At the moment, I’ve returned to Orwell’s 1984—the current situation in the country pushed me to revisit it.
And music…?
My unfulfilled wish is to become a musician, and I believe I’ll achieve that one day. Until then, I’m a professional listener. Music is always present around me, and I try to constantly add something new to my playlist. I grew up on carefully selected music (Dad Milorad, thank you for that), which I later realized was very important while growing up. I love many genres and eras, which means I’m also interested in the history of music. I’m a big fan of drum’n’bass and consider it the most versatile genre. Lately, I’ve been listening to Tommy Guerrero. When I get the chance to both watch and listen, there’s the band Jungle, with their phenomenal dance videos. I could talk about this topic for days, but let’s leave that for another time…
Recommend a website / portal / app…
For years, my favorite website has been designboom.com. I’ve been following them for almost two decades, and I can say they’re constantly improving.
As for apps—Shazam (I’m still amazed when it recognizes a “never-heard-before” song from the very first beat).
Instagram: @nkrivokapic
www.behance.net/nikolakrivokapic