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05. Art, Asian materials, Western philosophy
Very Private Art’s Get together talk – Nov. 1st, 2024
Summary
Esra Nesipoğulları
Artist and professional architect in Milan. Into maps, structures of language, interrogating its cultural and political implications.
https://Esranesipogullari.com/Pigsy
Enid and Ciaran, the duo behind Pigsy who isn’t alone in its head. Currently traveling the world.
https://pigsy.art/Taaye
Artist and parrot companion based in Vancouver. Exploring cockatoos with monotype and Nihonga techniques.
https://www.taaye.art/Cultural Celebrations and Technical Issues
The participants discussed their personal experiences and cultural celebrations. Pigsy and Taaye shared their experiences of celebrating Dia de los Muertos in Mexico, including decorating graveyards and honoring deceased loved ones. They also mentioned a Disney movie called Coco, which is based on this Mexican holiday. Mo and Taaye reminisced about a Pixar animation called Coco, which they found emotionally moving.
Artistic Practices
Mo, Pigsy, and Taaye discuss their artistic practices and interests. Pigsy explores the human psyche through mixed media works on canvas, giving voice to her inner monologue. Taaye introduces herself to potential viewers of the recorded conversation. Alessandro Rolandi, a mutual friend of Mo’s, is mentioned as someone Esra recently spoke with about shared interests like calligraphy and the Chinese art market.
Asian Materials and Techniques
Taaye, an artist based in Vancouver, discussed her exploration of Asian materials, specifically mineral pigments, and her interest in bird motifs. She clarified that the technique she uses, called Nihonga, originated in China and was later improved in Japan. Esra, an architect and artist from Italy, shared her conversation with a socially engaged artist who uses a distinctive visual language incorporating alphabets and translations. They discussed their differing perspectives on China’s political and cultural landscape, and the contrasting approaches to heritage preservation in Italy and China.
Italian Artist’s Unconventional Journey
Mo discussed the career of an Italian artist who had not received classical art training but had found success in China. The artist, married to a French journalist, had been involved in art since his undergraduate studies in chemistry. He had been active in the art scene in China, where he was well-known and respected, and had even opened up a gallery. Mo also mentioned that the artist had a collection of work and had been doing Chinese calligraphy. Taaye expressed interest in how the artist had become an artist without traditional training, and Mo suggested that everyone’s journey might be different.
Western Philosophy Discussed
Greg discussed the origins of Western philosophy, particularly the Greek era and the split between idealism and materialism. He noted that idealism was favored in Western society due to its compatibility with the concept of God, while materialism was less prevalent. He also compared the Chinese and Western approaches to language and writing, highlighting the Chinese ideogram’s direct representation of ideas and the Western alphabet’s abstraction from animal sounds. Taaye and Esra participated in the discussion, with Taaye questioning the applicability of conceptual art in China.
About Alessandro Orlandi
The group discussed the popularity of Alessandro, a white artist who gained fame in China. They attributed his success to his ability to connect with people from all social classes, his willingness to adapt to the local culture, and his ability to speak multiple languages. They also noted that Alessandro’s work, which often involves humor and social commentary, resonated with the Chinese people. The group also discussed how Alessandro’s work has translated to Switzerland and Europe, and how his ability to live a comfortable life without worrying about money has allowed him to be creative and imaginative. The conversation ended with the group acknowledging that Alessandro’s success is not solely due to his artistic talent, but also due to his ability to connect with people and his timing in the art world.
instagram.com/alessandro_rolandi/
Art, Filmmaking, and Documentary Challenges
The conversation revolved around the topics of art, filmmaking, and the documentary genre. Esra expressed excitement about a collaboration with Alessandro and discussed the idea of creating a project involving an invented country, complete with outlines, maps, and fake culture. Mo shared his recent experience at a documentary film festival in Leipzig, Germany, and compared the trajectory of underground documentary filmmakers to that of outsider artists. He emphasized that these filmmakers often lack commercializable skills, but their work is more authentic and real. The discussion also touched on the challenges of making documentaries in China due to licensing restrictions.
Learning, Innovation, and New Discoveries
The discussion revolved around the concept of learning and innovation. Pigsy and Mo debated whether there is anything truly new to be discovered or if everything has already been learned. Pigsy argued that people can learn from different perspectives and bring unique insights to a subject, while Mo suggested that most new ideas are simply a recombination of existing knowledge. They also touched on the idea of learning through experience, such as skateboarding, and how this can lead to new ways of thinking. The conversation ended without a clear resolution on whether there is anything truly new to be discovered.
Challenges and Success in Filmmaking
Mo discussed the challenges faced by filmmakers who rely on their life experiences for their work. He cited the example of a Chinese filmmaker who gained viral success with a documentary about black lung disease but struggled to progress further in his career. Mo suggested that filmmakers need to reinvent themselves to access different social classes and recognition. He also highlighted the importance of persistence and consistency in one’s work, even if it’s self-taught. The group also discussed the success of certain documentaries and the potential for filmmakers to tap into both the masses and the ultra-rich individuals.
Test Bench for Community Collaboration
In the meeting, Greg proposed the idea of a ‘Test Bench’ where people outside the community could share their ideas, which could be beneficial for the community or artists. The idea was to have a platform where people could pitch their ideas, receive feedback, and potentially collaborate with others. This could include proposing projects, social art projects, or even inviting experts on specific subjects. The meeting also discussed the possibility of a more casual approach to these pitches, rather than a structured presentation. Esra shared an idea about collaborating with an Italian artist on a project involving non-existing animals and the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration.
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