mercoledì 22 luglio 2009

Interview with Mirko Canesi





q)Please introduce yourself.


a)My name is Mirko Canesi, I’m an artist who create 2D images.


q) Where do you live and work?


a)I live and work in Europe, city of Milan.


q) How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?


a)It’s hard to say because there are too many element with the same priority to me, so generally when I have to describe my work, I get confused and weird.

But anyway I would say:

I create characters who stay between many levels of reality. Generally are light-hearted young people that lives in upper state of consciousness and often are very “contaminated” by this new level of reality so they get transformed their shape of human beings.

Sometimes are animals like deer or rhino or monkey but now I’m gonna be more abstract so I can’t define very well what their exacly are.

Sometimes this people, to prove they reach this level are choosen by this little creature ( I call pokémonini) who lives in a far away level of reality.

It’s clear? I don’t know…

One of the most important technical aspect is material study thath must be etheral but consistent at the same time. Transucent marble or pseudo-wax material are my favourite.

I also have a series dedicated only to pokémonini; the concept is quite the same the difference is in like-drawing freedom and the more ethereal subjects.


q) How did you start in the arts? How/when did you realize you were an artist?


a)My interest in art of any kind started when I was very young (4yo?) and I’ve always thought to me as an artist. My child best friend’s father is one major artist of the 60’ and I found many people in may that inspired me.


q) What are your favorite art materials and why?


a)I prefer using materials that is not materical; I started using pantone, an alchoolo-based felt I considered it immaterial because of the immediate evaporation. At the end I went up using directly computer, monitor and optical-pen; in this way I’m able working directly in an “other” dimension other than immaterial. I need to print it only in the way I can fix it (there are too many difference between monitors in colors, contrast etc..) turning it from virtual to reality.

At the moment I’m working on a oil-painted series because there are some colors tonality that print can’t reproduce at the moment. And I like to paint too…


q) What/who influences you most?


a)At the moment Kazuma Kaneko is the most important artist in the globe to me, next to him but not still alive Pontormo. Ok then my thinking go to Richard Corben and Liberatore, so Damien Hirst, Cinetic art, web design, very well done design, character design, pokémon design (the most pop), bothanical design, armors and weapons design, MANGA &ANIME. Cinema. Ok stop…


q) Describe a typical day of art making for you.


a)I sit on my computer, I put on some music then I choose if start a new work or finish an old one; in the first case I’m totally free in creating and I enjoy myself a lot , in the second case it’s a pain in the ass because I know I’m going through a never ending maniacal session.

Very often I stop working and relax waching anime on megavideo or play videogame or calling friends ors sleep.


q) Do you have goals, specific things you want to achieve with your art or in your career as an artist?


a)I ‘d like to became an international artist able to travel and live the world thanks to my work.


q) What contemporary artists or developments in art interest you?


a)As I alredy said I prefer underground art and unoffical but basically I must have the belief that what I’m seeing is contemporary other than art.


q) How long does it typically take you to finish a piece?


a)About 3month for a 50x50, I’m a perfectionist and working with digital paintig means that every brush stroke you do it’s a fake and need double work to became natural.


q) Do you enjoy selling your pieces, or are you emotionally attached to them?


a)At the very beginning it was a problem, but now, I think if I sell something I can do new works even better every time and be free to experiment.


q) Is music important to you? If so, what are some things you're listening to now?


a)Music is art It’s a must. I’m going to copy some name from my iTunes library:

Animal Collective, Antony & the Johnsons, Basement Jaxx, Blonde Redhead, Devendra Banhart, Fleet Foxes, Hot Chip, Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen, lucio battisti, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Portishead, Prodigy, But my first place it’s Radiohead, The Knife, Talking heads, The Arcade Fire, THE STREETS, TV On The Radio. Ok Stop…


q) Books?


a)At the moment I have a problem…I’m only reading astrological manuals or esotic stuff.

Maybe I’m most the kind that loves Cinema, Anime and Videogame.


q) What theories or beliefs do you have regarding creativity or the creative process?


a)I want re-spiritualize and re-sensibilize people. I’m not religious it’s only a way to open mind a little.


q) What do you do (or what do you enjoy doing) when you're not creating?


a)I like going to cinema, playing with videogame (my big passion) and searching for new anime and manga. Taking insipiration from everything I can reach.

Obviously I like staiyng with my friends.


q) Do you have any projects or shows coming up that you are particularly excited about?


a)This year was a really good one but I still have a project I belive in a lot but I’m scaramantic so I don’t want talking about.


q) Do you follow contemporary art scenes? If so, how? What websites, magazines, galleries do you prefer?


a)Yes I do, but I think that the most part of art it’s a copy of itself and don’t reflect anymore our generation; so gradually I beacme more interested in the unofficial art scene. Games, illustration, anime for esemple, I go every year to “salone del mobile” seeing design. The most beautiful and representative art at the moment to me is japanese videogame characher’s design.


q) Ask yourself a question you'd like to answer, and answer it.


a)Wich magical power have you always desired to have?

OOOooh…so many, if I have to choose I would say energetic powers, absorb energy and be able to manipulate it so attack or create nice looking effect.


q) Any advice for aspiring artists?


a)Yes, be honest with yourself and don’t do anything if you don’t have something to say. If you do so It’s ok, you have only to be enough tough and rough to insist in your way.


q) Where can we see more of your work online?


a)My web site www.mirkocanesi.eu it’s going to be ultimate. It shows my production from 2007 to now.

martedì 14 luglio 2009

Interview with Daniel Sanger




q)Please introduce yourself.


a)My name is Daniel Sanger. I am a 31 year old Melbourne based artist. My works explore contemporary subjects and themes. They are predominantly figurative with much emphasis on mood and feeling. I strive to forge strong connections between work and viewer, allowing the viewer to invest their emotion within my art. I try to achieve this with such devices as the subtlety of a subject’s gaze, body language and lighting. I studied Graphic Design at Charles Sturt University and have a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. I have also studied at Melbourne School of Art and Swinburne University.


q) Where do you live and work?


a)Live in Melbourne Australia and work as Graphic Designer and Artist


q) How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?


a)They are of a Pop Surrealist nature. Figurative, though quite stylized.


q) How did you start in the arts? How/when did you realize you were an artist?


a)It’s just something that is there and has always been there ever since I can remember. In a weird way I feel I owe it to the 10 year old me who wanted desperately to grow up and become a professional artist. It gives me great satisfaction and defines who I am. Ive always considered myself an artist.


q) What are your favorite art materials and why?


a)Oils! I love oil paint. So smooth and vibrant.


q) What/who influences you most?


a)The world around me. I'm constantly influenced by what I see on a daily basis. Also Joe Sorren. I find his works so gentle and dream like. I’m always exploring his works, finding something new each time I look at them.


q) Describe a typical day of art making for you.


a)Once I have the idea, I make a sketch on the canvas and start layer 1 of many. I apply thin layer upon layer until it pops .


q) Do you have goals, specific things you want to achieve with your art or in your career as an artist?


a)Go as far as I can with it. Would love to get picked up by an international gallery one day, though mainly it would be wonderful if I could live 100% off art profits some day.


q) What contemporary artists or developments in art interest you?


a)Pop Surrealism. I find this new artist movement so bold and refreshing.


q) How long does it typically take you to finish a piece?


a)Can take from 3 weeks to 3 months. Depends on the size and complexity of the piece.


q) Do you enjoy selling your pieces, or are you emotionally attached to them?


a)In the early days I was emotionally attached, though now it gives me much satisfaction to know somebody connected with my work to such a degree they had to own it. The highest compliment.


q) Is music important to you? If so, what are some things you're listening to now?


a)Music is ultra important. I love many types of music. Though always find I play fast and loud tunes when beginning a work, and then slow ambient music while fussing over detail. I do love The Panics, Pixies, The Smiths, The Black Keys, the Shins - list goes on...


q) Books?


a)BIG Douglas Adams fan.


q) What theories or beliefs do you have regarding creativity or the creative process?


a)Creativity is something that can't be taught. You are born with the drive and talent to create.


q) What do you do (or what do you enjoy doing) when you're not creating?


a)Catching up with friends, reading and collecting ideas for future paintings!


q) Do you have any projects or shows coming up that you are particularly excited about?


a)Yes, I have a solo at Pivotal Galleries, Melbourne in Feb 2010. http://www.pivotalgalleries.com


q) Do you follow contemporary art scenes? If so, how? What websites, magazines, galleries do you prefer?


a)I'm currently in an invite only art forum that keeps me up to date on a daily basis.


q) Any advice for aspiring artists?


a)If painting drives you, don't give up!


q) Where can we see more of your work online?


a) http://www.danielsanger.com

http://www.pivotalgalleries.com

http://danielsanger.blogspot.com/

lunedì 6 luglio 2009

Interview with Shan Jiang




q)Please introduce yourself.


a)I was born in 1979 in Shanghai, a south east city in China. Male.


q) Where do you live and work?


a)I spend most of my life in Shanghai. Also worked in UK for more than 4 years and may move there again next month.


q) How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?


a)Sometimes I draw some girls. You cannot see their facial clearly but they all have cat ears upon heads.


q) How did you start in the arts? How/when did you realize you were an artist?


a)Of course started doodling since very young just like everyone else. Got formal sketch and art training since 14. Then I went to art vocational school, then art colleges in Shanghai and Edinburgh. But never consider I am an artist.


q) What are your favorite art materials and why?


a)Pencil, ink, pen and computer. Pencil, pen and ink let me feel very free. Computer is for colouring. I can change colour anytime I want. I feel safe.


q) What/who influences you most?


a)What:Anime/Who: many people. Utagawa Kuniyoshi, E.H.Gombrich etc..


q) Describe a typical day of art making for you.


a)Think a concept, then think what I shall draw. I will do some rough sketch. Then I will start to find references of what I am thinking and drawing. I will make a detail mockup to represent what in mind. Then based on the mockup I will do the final art work. A typical art making day could be: Get up about 1 pm. Gather some food then go to studio. Check emails, clean the room, then look for some interest manga online so I can read it when I need to have a rest. Then I will start the process what I listed above.


q) Do you have goals, specific things you want to achieve with your art or in your career as an artist?


a)I don’t have so called 'goals'. I only have some ideas I want to express.


q)What contemporary artists or developments in art interest you?


a)I like what Takashi Murakami did. Not his art works but the theory he creates, exhibitions he curated and love all the artists he found and gathered.


q)How long does it typically take you to finish a piece?


a)A month for one piece for a personal work


q)Do you enjoy selling your pieces, or are you emotionally attached to them?


a)Yes I enjoy selling my works. Actually I gald to see people want to pay money for it. That s the way I can see that they turely like the works but not just be polite saying it's nice.


q) Is music important to you? If so, what are some things you're listening to now?


a)Not very relevant to my art works.


q) Books?


a)Yes. Haruki Murakami's books. I read them since I was 15 years old. Specific "All God's Children can Dance", "Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World" and "Midnight Spider Monkey" really inspired me.


q) What theories or beliefs do you have regarding creativity or the creative process?


a)What Gombrich wrote in his book "Art and Illusion"


q) What do you do (or what do you enjoy doing) when you're not creating?


a)Many things.. like everyone else doing when they are not working.


q)Do you have any projects or shows coming up that you are particularly excited about?


a)I am still working on a personal project called 'moon phase'. I am doing the 8th images of the project. But I am looking for some new idea for a totally different project. Not sure yet.


q) Do you follow contemporary art scenes? If so, how? What websites, magazines, galleries do you prefer?


a)I go to galleries, in London and Shanghai. I like Frame magazine and IDEA ( japanese ). Frame give me some good sense on space and perspective. For website, currently I like www.Butdoesitfloat.com.


q) Ask yourself a question you'd like to answer, and answer it.


a)

Q: What you are doing? A: Answering questions.


q) Any advice for aspiring artists?


a)Cannot think one now.


q) Where can we see more of your work online?


a)badimage.exblog.jp ;

www.badimage.org;

and www.ilovedust.com I dont always update my site. sometimes it s better ask me to see more.