Interviews with artists, curators, and thinkers from around the world.
#artemisprojectspodcast

ARTemis projects PODCAST

Thursday 15 June, 2017
Kirribilli, Sydney

Today I am meeting with Gunjan Aylawadi, a paper artist who makes beautiful, meticulously crafted paper tapestries. They are impossible to describe because for the full effect you really need to see them in person, but as Gunjan and I chat today we will do our best to bring these works into your imagination.

As I interview her, I am observing her making the second last piece for her coming solo exhibition at Koskela Gallery, opening on Saturday 24 June and running until July 23. Make sure to check it out. Her work is absolutely breath-taking. 

For more about Gunjan see: http://www.gunjanaylawadi.com

Art Talks

Interview with paper artist Gunjan Aylawadi (June 2017)

Interview with David Roesner, a co-author of Composed Theatre and Australian theatre maker Michelle St Anne who is founder, director and a creative engine of The Living Room Theatre, a theatre company known for unconventional approach and surprising outcomes. 

We chat about the Composed Theatre, a theatre practice that applies musical or compositional thinking to all elements of performance including text, gesture, speech, light, costumes, and stage design.

How does it work in practice and why might this approach to theatre have greater impact on the audience?

Interview with David Roesner and Michelle St Anne on Composed Theatre (16 Jan 2018)

Met in Belgrade with Dejan Golic, one of the members of Belgrade RAW to talk about the beginnings of the collective as they celebrate ten years of their existence. 

The collective was founded in 2009 by five photographers who found each other on Flicker and agreed that there was a lack of real, raw footage of their city. 

Now in their 10th year, they count eleven members and have two books under their arms. 

So what has Belgrade RAW meant for those involved and how did it influence Serbian photographic scene, hear in my interview with Dejan.

This interview was recorded at KC Magacin, during my residency at Belgrade AIR.

http://www.belgraderaw.com/
Instagram: @belgraderaw

Interview with Dejan Golic from photo collective Belgrade RAW (April 2019, Belgrade)

Gordana Zikic is founder and facilitator of Belgrade artist in residency program, and a multi-media artist exploring shamanism, ancient traditions, rituals, red colour, and role of the artist in the society.

We met in a little (and very echo-ie) apartment in the heart of Belgrade to talk about how and why she initiated the Belgrade AIR, how the program works, and what does she like the most about running it. 

In the second part of the podcast (from 11'30'') we speak about her practice, the healing powers of art, importance of freedom, her coming performance in United States, and how would she cope with meeting Marina Abramovic.

We even read a little bit of Andrei Tarkovsky's 'Sculpting in Time' (20'20'')!

Recorded  on 23 April 2019.

Website: https://gordanazikic.wordpress.com/
Instagram: @belgrade_artist_in_residence

Interview with Gordana Zikic, Serbian artist and founder of Belgrade AIR (April 2019, Belgrade)

David Pujado is from Barcelona but fell in love with Belgrade, its brutalist architecture and creative vibe, and made it his home. Here he opened a small photography dedicated gallery, then started the Serbia's first international photography festival, Belgrade Photo Month.

I set with him at KC Magacin to talk about how it all started, what type of photography he personally likes, what other art forms inspire him, and what is the role of silence in his art and life. 

Recorded at KC Magacin on 9th May 2019, as part of my residency with Belgrade AIR.

Interview with David Pujado, Founder and Director of Belgrade Photo Month (May 2019, Belgrade)

Marija Bjekic's work explores and references the 20th century utopias, the position of working class, and the architectural structures that govern the behaviour, until they collapse.

We met to discuss her hyperrealist drawings combined with  the geometric, almost grid like forms inspired by Russian Constructivism and Bauhaus.

"This forms are in very sensitive fragile uncertain balance. Human figures are balancing on them, or holding them, or building from them."

You can read more about her work here: https://cargocollective.com/marijabjekic

Or follow her on Instagram: @mma_ki

Interview with Serbian artist Marija Bjekic (April 2019, Belgrade)

UK artist Genevieve Leavold paints fluid, abstract forms inspired by microbiological and mycological shapes and colours. In this podcast, recorded in her studio in Belgrade, she tells me how she learned to value essence over perfection, why she thinks we should celebrate trees more than old paintings, and what role trust plays in her work. 

Check her work here: https://www.genevieveleavold.com 
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genevieveleavoldartist/ 
And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genevieveleavold/

Interview with artist Genevieve Leavold (May 2019, Belgrade)

Goran Rister was one of the group of young artists who in June 2015 came across an abandoned building in the central Belgrade. It turned out that the building was a former workshop for the repairing of the music instruments of SFRJ army orchestra. Left to rot, the building was a treasure trove of historical objects and documents, an archive that Rister turned into a Kvaka museum, a place for reflection on the relation to the cultural heritage, what we choose to keep, what to discard.

"Kvaka 22" is also an artist run space dedicated to innovative and experimental art practices, international collaboration and general support for young artists and curators. It hosts exhibitions, concerts, performances, film screenings, talks, residencies, and more.

Check it out here: http://kvaka22.com/
Here: https://www.instagram.com/kvaka22_catch22/
Or here: https://www.facebook.com/artspacekvaka22/

Interview with Goran Rister from Kvaka 22 (May 2019, Belgrade)

Conversation with Swedish artist Fanny Hellgren whose works explore the properties and agencies of materials - be it paper, concrete, cloth, or water - and the way they transform when exposed to the elements such as sun or time. 

In this podcast recorded in Belgrade, Serbia where Fanny was on an artist residency, we delve deeper into Fanny’s interest in materiality and in-between spaces, the process and methodology of making works, her preferred ways of exhibiting them, and what role patience plays in both making and viewing art.

Fanny's website: http://www.fannyhellgren.se/

Jingle designed by @trevorbrownmusic

Conversation with artist Fanny Hellgren (May 2019, Belgrade)

An interview on the run… recorded straight after Mila's Fotopub festival performance Rocking Chairs, in a 15 minutes gap before her transport from Novo Mesto back to Berlin.  

We briefly speak about the key aspects of her practice through which she explores status symbols and aspirations for ‘better life’ with the focus on diaspora and issue of integration. 

We speak about her work We have a wonderful life, a multimedia project consisting of a six- channel video installation and photographs sent to her family by relatives that moved to Australia in the late 90’s.

We also speak about her work Tante aus Deutschland (Aunt from Germany) which she made with her aunts who live in Germany since 1993 to expose the issue of integration in the new culture and to deconstruct the image of wonderful life.

 Mila is also concerned with the precarious condition of artists which led her to initiate Fully Funded Residencies platform which started as a project out of boredom and has become a bit of a phenomenon: https://www.facebook.com/fullyfundedresidenices/

Listen about it all in this brief interview recorded in Novo Mesto, Slovenia at the 2019 Fotopub festival on 3 August 2019.

More about Mila Panic: https://milapanic.net/about/

Interview with artist Mila Panic (August 2019, Slovenia)

This Artemis Projects podcast is with China-born, Berlin-based dancer, choreographer, painter, musician, and video artist Dan Su, with whom I met in Berlin to talk about her experimental dance video "Wood in Mood" in which she explores the transformation of one form into another, and allows for the energy of the environment to inform her movements. 

We speak about the influence her background in painting has on her editing choices, her holistic approach to nature, and how dancing on screen and on variety of sites, inspired the new approach to dancing on stage. 

To view "Wood in Mood" see: https://vimeo.com/267398713
For more about Dan Su see: https://www.dancesu.com/
Follow her on instagram: @serdanly

Music track used is extracted from "Wood in Mood" soundtrack by Manuel Carbone (Cravune).

This podcast was recorded on 24 July 2019 in Berlin, Germany.

Conversation with dancer and filmmaker Dan Su on 'Wood in Mood' (July 2019, Berlin)

This Artemis Projects podcast is with Swedish artist Fanny Hellgren whom I called over Skype to talk about her series of works 'Withering Postures' exhibited at the Nevven gallery in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Made of paper-pulps and transformed into a large-scale wall-tapestries, 'Withering Postures' bring attention to commonly discarded materials, making us rethink what can be of value and what can be beautiful.  

Always left in the state of changeability and often in the state of impermanence, Hellgren’s works bring attention to time, pointing to the fragility of all matter and reminding us, the viewers, of our own materiality. 

In this podcast, Hellgren talks about the inspiration behind her working methodology, the question of archiving the impermanent works, concept of alchemy, and how she tries to defy the rules of gravity. 

We also address Oscar Wild’s statement that “all art is quite useless” and Agnes Martin’s that “Art is the concrete representation of our most subtle feelings.”

The podcast features sounds from Fanny's studio and short snippets of music from album PERSEVERANTIA by Danielle de Picciotto and Alexander Hacke (I don't own rights to this music). 

This podcast was produced on the Gadigal land of Eora nation, traditional custodians of the land. We pay our respect to their elders – past, present, and emerging.

Thank you for listening to Artemis Projects podcast. For more about our projects see www.artemisprojects.com.au

Fanny Hellgren's website: www.fannyhellgren.se/

Artemis Projects' text for the exhibition catalogue: https://www.artemisprojects.com.au/fanny-hellgren-withering-postures

Conversation with artist Fanny Hellgren (Dec 2019, Sydney/Gothenburg via Skype)

A conversation with Slovenian puppeteer, musician, PhD of puppetry Matija Solce during his tour in Australia in December 2019/January 2020. Featuring a surprise appearance of panda Fergus Walker Junior, who would like to make a point that even though he is not a person he has a personality. 

Recorded in Sydney on 20th January 2020 at the Alpha House Gallery.

Music used is by Matija Solce's Skandi-Balkan, folk-punk band @triokatastrofa

Conversation with Matija Solce: Slovenian puppeteer & musician (January 2020, Sydney)

Conversation with Berlin-based visual and performance artist Darko Dragicevic whom i’ve called over Skype to talk about his projects ‘failure in practice’, in which he not only explores our individual and collective relationship to failure within artistic practices, but also the broader cultural and historical definitions of value and success. 

This podcast was recorded during Covid19 period of social isolation and physical distancing, a unique historic moment for the art community, and i was interested to speak with Darko about what ‘failure’ might mean to us in this particular context. 

Weaved around this topic of failure is mine and Darko’s conversation about difficulty of slowing down and doing nothing; importance of empathy and thinking bigger than our personal needs; a need for art that is inclusive and collaborative and a value of which is not measured by income and finances; and why are we as the society excluding elderly people, their voices and wisdom from our everyday and art practices. 

Recorded via Skype call Sydney to Berlin 27 March 2020. For the transcript of this podcast see: https://www.artemisprojects.com.au/conversations/podcast-darko-dragicevic

Follow Darko's practice via:
website: http://darkodragicevic.com/
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darko_dragicevic/

Music used is by @trevorbrownmusic

Conversation with artist Darko Dragicevic (March 2020, Sydney/Berlin via Skype)

This Artemis Projects podcast is with Croatian multi-media artist Petra Mrša with whom I spoke over Skype, between Sydney and Rijeka, on 30th April 2020 during the Covid19 lock downs.

I was drawn to Petra’s work after coming across her multi-disciplinary propositional works ‘Rehearsing Family’ and ‘What about the body?’ both of which were particularly relevant now that our homes became our universe and the technology took over our bodies in unprecedented ways.

I was interested to talk to Petra, who holds degree in sociology, psychology and photography, about the body in the time of social distancing and online streaming; what direction might art take after the Covid; and how might our relation to nature be affected by it all.

Around 56'00'', we also spoke about a 'voice rally' project Petra initiated during the Covid19 lockdowns. This project is now completed and available here: https://soundcloud.com/user-219510566/sets/message

For the full transcript of the podcast with Petra see: https://www.artemisprojects.com.au/conversations/podcast-with-petra-mrsa

Sounds used in the podcast:
- excerpt from Kompost 3 feat. Mira Lu Kovacs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57snfRG-XgA&feature=emb_title)
- excerpt from Petra Mrsa's audio installation 'Chapters of Attachment' (http://petramrsa.com/portfolio/chapters-of-attachment/)

You can follow Petra Mrsa's practice here:
Website: petramrsa.com
Instagram: @petramrsa

Conversation with artist Petra Mrša(April 2020, Sydney/Rijeka via Skype)

This Artemis Projects podcast is with Belgrade-based filmmaker, performer, and video-artist Anja Dimitrijević recorded via Skype on 17th May 2020 during the Covid19 lock downs.

We speak about the online education, performances, connections, and new art languages that are emerging as a consequence of physical distancing. 

We enquired about the state of our bodies in increasingly digitised world and what are some of the ways to keep our bodies and our senses alive and active while engaged with the screen.

We also spoke about Anja’s recent dance video ‘Blokovi’, made during the social isolation and featuring the building and the neighbourhood in which she grew up and where she currently lives. The film is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq4hD9xbq6A&list=UUaeBBG2VBDbhD6gQhFHV8ow&index=1

Towards the very end of the podcast, I ask Anja to describe the Covid19 experience in three words. I was also curious to know what are her hopes for the future and where would she like to see the humanity go.

For the full transcript of the podcast see: https://www.artemisprojects.com.au/conversations/podcast-anja-dimitrijevic

Sounds used in the podcast:
- Буерак - Страсть к Курению (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxLYYf5bz0M&list=LLaeBBG2VBDbhD6gQhFHV8ow&index=12&t=0s)
- Soundscape from Anja Dimitrijevic's video 'Blokovi', created by Anja Dimitrijevic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq4hD9xbq6A&list=UUaeBBG2VBDbhD6gQhFHV8ow&index=1)
- Dorian Gray, 'Tonemo u Mrak', 1985 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EwyMjRYkXA)

You can follow Anja's practice here:
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user54244873
Instagram: @elesmera

Conversation with artist Anja Dimitrijevic (May 2020, Sydney/Belgrade)

A conversation with Croatian performance artist Josipa Bubaš and poet/fiction writer Neva Lukić, recorded via Skype in April 2020, at the very start of the Covid19 lockdowns.

The interview took place while I was taking part in Neva and Josipa’s workshop ‘Goosbumps’ which was originally meant to happen offline in Croatia but due to Covid restrictions had to find an alternative way of operating and that alternative was, of course, the zoom.

As we speak of this workshop, we reflect on the transition from the real to the digital and wonder if we are witnessing the birth of a new era. What would be gained and what lost if art and our lives would indeed transition to the digital space, and is there even a way to stop this from happening?

We entertain the idea of lockdowns without Facebook, Instagram, zoom, etc. and question what would Corona look like without technology?

Recorded 19 April 2020 via Skype, hence the slight technical glitches.

For the full transcript of this conversation see: https://www.artemisprojects.com.au/conversations/podcast-josipa-bubas-neva-lukic

Music by @trevorbrownmusic created in a Zagreb apartment during the Artemis Projects residency. More details: https://www.artemisprojects.com.au/trevor-brown-resident-2019

Conversation with Neva Lukic and Josipa Bubas (April 2020, Sydney/Zagreb)

This Artemis Projects podcast is with Melbourne-based theatre and performance maker Mish Grigor whom I Skyped on 20th August 2020 during the second wave of Covid19 lockdowns and shortly after her first ever digital performance titled 'Wasting Wasting Wasting Time' performed as part of Taipei's ADAM.

In this podcast Mish and I talk about her experience of performing via zoom - what were surprises, what challenges, and how does she feel about the liveness and the intimacy of the ‘in real life’ or ‘in person’ theatre being replaced by the digital interface. Can the same or a similar level of intimacy be achieved online? 

The question we keep asking is: are we rushing to go online and therefore missing on an opportunity to slow down, rest, and cultivate deeper thoughts? Is speeding up in order to adjust and catch up with changes, blurring the clarity of our vision? Could ‘wasting time’ and doing nothing be the most responsible thing to do right now? And what do we even have in mind when we suggest that time could be wasted? 

For the full transcript of the podcast see: https://www.artemisprojects.com.au/conversations/podcast-mish-grigor

This podcast was produced on the stolen lands of the people of Eora and Kulin nations, traditional custodians of the country and we pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging.

Conversation with performance maker Mish Grigor (August 2020, Sydney/Melbourne)

This Artemis Projects podcast is with Australian artist Elia Bosshard, whose conceptual art practice is informed by her interest in the relationship between the body and space and the impact of spatial configurations and constructed environments on our perception and our intercorporeal behaviour. 

Big words! But basically, we will be speaking about the impact that spaces have on our emotional, physical, and mental states. 

What is the difference between spaces of safety and spaces of control is, for example, one of Elia’s field of enquiry which is particularly relevant to our current Covid19 context. 

In this podcast, we will also consider the importance of open spaces, such as vast horizons, on our creativity and our ability to imagine, to think beyond existing frameworks.

For the full transcript of the podcast see: https://www.artemisprojects.com.au/conversations/podcast-elia-bosshard

This podcast was produced on the Gadigal land of Eora nation, traditional custodians of the land. We pay our respect to their elders past, present, and future. It is our hope to learn from their wisdom on cultivating and caring for the land.

For more about Elia's practice see: https://www.eliabosshard.com/

Music credit: Filter Flute from Nexus Destiny by Utility

Conversation with artist Elia Bosshard (September 2020, Sydney)

A conversation with Sydney-based artist Victoria Hempstead whose work is a dialogue between the intention of the artist and the agency of the material; a reminder of the limit of our human control and certainty. 

We speak about:

- her fascination with metal and ephemerality
- intuition and importance of slowing down
- connection between confidence and the value-systems
- role of beauty in dealing with trauma
- fine line between resting and falling into lethargy
- value of collaboration and creative conversations
- embracing mistakes and the importance of playfulness
- notepads, voice memos, and dream diaries

For the full transcript of the podcast see: www.artemisprojects.com.au/conversations/podcast-victoria-hempstead

This podcast was produced on the Gadigal land of Eora nation, traditional custodians of the land. We pay our respect to their elders past, present, and future. It is our hope to learn from their wisdom on cultivating and caring for the land.

For more about Victoria's practice see: https://www.victoriahempstead.com/

Music credits: 
- an excerpt from 'Tihilele' by Les filles de Illighadad
- an excerpt from 'Galop' by Lena Platonos

Conversation with visual artist Victoria Hempstead (October 2020, Sydney)

PODCAST-CONVERSATIONS with artists and art theorists, from visual to performing arts, discussing conceptual frameworks and philosophical outlooks. Also some SOUND-COLLAGES, assembled together on variety of themes, such as: sleep, silence, intuition, collaboration, failure, and more. 

Available via iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/artemis-projects/id1462300886

PRODUCER & HOST: Ira Ferris (https://www.artemisprojects.com.au/projects-ira-ferris)