”Isolation is currently a necessary hardship for me. I’m used to a dynamic lifestyle and socializing, so this enforced isolation doesn’t suit me.”
What drives you?
This may sound banal, but only because it’s childishly honest: I’m driven by love for people — complex creations that are perfect in their imperfection. I’m also inspired and fascinated by the infinite nuances of creative expression — of feelings, thoughts, and impressions.
They are all my children…
Artists are often said to see their works as their children, since the relationship to a child symbolizes the highest and purest love for one’s own creation. However, I think this is a stereotype that doesn’t apply to everyone — some people, for example, are endlessly self-critical and always dissatisfied with their work; some go through different phases and styles of creation, so that in one phase of life they like a certain form of expression, while in another they can’t recognize what they once thought or felt.
What else do you do?
Currently, I’m engaged in various activities that at first glance may not seem compatible, but are actually pieces of a puzzle in the service of developing the cultural and artistic scene. By profession, I’m a musicologist and sociologist, and I currently work as a BTL manager in a marketing agency, as well as in the organization and marketing of the Muzikon Orchestra. I am also one of the founders of the cultural society LADA, I write interdisciplinary works analyzing social changes from the perspective of art, especially music, I present certain theories and personalities through comics, and I am actively involved in illustration, music, and organizing cultural and artistic events.
What should an artist possess — qualities and skills?
An artist should possess talent, desire, passion, vision, ambition, and work ethic. Unfortunately, in today’s world, all these qualities are often overshadowed by the power of self-promotion, since it’s necessary to stand out in the sea of information people receive daily. That’s why it’s important to provide talented people with organizational and marketing support — so they can present their work and actually be noticed and remembered by the audience.
Criticism? Who and what can influence your work? …the presentation or placement of your work?
My work is influenced by my entire habitus. While I can be very stubborn in my private life, at work I accept criticism and try to use it to progress. I’m not pompous — I know I still have a lot to develop and learn, but I’m not ashamed of my current imperfect creations. However, no matter what kind of criticism I encounter, I am always my own strictest critic.
Who is your superhero? Who are today’s superheroes?
Superheroes are all good-hearted people. That could be a surgeon saving a life in the operating room, a baker giving pastries to a group around the corner who can’t afford them, a teacher who inspires you and awakens an interest in something you never imagined you’d care about, or a kid making dolls for sick children… There are many. My favorite superheroes are Batman and my grandmother Stana. Or maybe Grandma Stana is Batman? That, I’m not allowed to tell you.
What does isolation mean to you?
Isolation is currently a necessary hardship for me. I’m used to a dynamic lifestyle and socializing, so this enforced isolation doesn’t suit me. Everyone tells me it’s a perfect opportunity to recharge, but I’ve found a way to stay buried in activities and constantly keep myself busy even in isolation. I’ve always been like that — a sort of hyperactive flea. At least I’m never bored, but still — it’s nicer in company.
What good can come out of this situation?
Yes, some people will rest and have time to do things they normally wouldn’t, but this situation isn’t good and will bring a crisis that will affect all of us. The only potentially positive aspect is that crises can give rise to significant social changes, so we can hope and try to influence some of these changes to be positive.
Do you have a TV at home?
I have a TV that doesn’t work and serves as a shelf. I also have another TV, which isn’t accessible to me.
Do you listen to the radio?
Sometimes — it can be enjoyable. Certain radio stations attract a pretty good crowd, and it’s nice to hear what smart things they have to say or play.
Bicycle or sand?
As a beautiful band, La Strada, once said: “Sand and sun.”
Are you vegan or vegetarian?
I’m a vegan who keeps company with the enemy. I follow this diet for health reasons, but I cook meat for meat-eaters and own a few leather shoes. I’m happy with my plant-based fate, especially because I’ve discovered many culinary delights around the world. The only tricky part is that I can’t taste all the food I prepare, so I have to rely on tasters.
Beer or wine?
A quality brandy.
Do you recycle?
Not enough — I want to be more disciplined in that area.
Book / Film?
This is a difficult question for me because I can’t really make a short selection. I’ve always put at least 50 titles in my top 10. I’ll try to be as concise as possible.
Books: I always recommend Journey to the End of the Night by Céline and On Heroes and Tombs by Sabato. In recent years, magical realism and satire have held my attention, so I’m drawn to Grass, Fowles, and Márquez, then Harms and Beers, and finally I end with Gargantua and Pantagruel (Rabelais) and some Canterbury Tales (Chaucer). Besides reading books, I’m a devoted fan of comics.
Films: I have favorites in every genre. Some of my favorite films include 12 Angry Men, Psycho, Blade Runner, Amarcord, The Skin I Live In, Star Wars, Who’s Singing Over There?, The Deceptive Summer of ’68… Among more recent works, I’d recommend the now popular Parasite, I Served the King of England, The Lobster, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Wild Tales…
And music…?
A genre mash-up of quality, beauty, passion, and aggression. I listen to classical music (a bit from every century); jazz in all its forms; raw, honest, stripped-down Delta blues; punk and its rural cousin, hardcore; rock’n’roll in various phases and forms; grunge; funk, soul, early rhythm & blues; works of genre-defying bards like Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Andre Williams, Leonard Cohen, etc.
Recommend a site/portal/app…
www.cracked.com