ŠPELA FRIDAU

MINDGARDEN

O AVTORICI/about the autor

PRETEKLE RAZSTAVE/past exhibitions

Kuratorka: Petra Čeh; web design: Žan Lebe; produkcija: Galerija Media Nox

POGOVOR Z UMETNICO ŠPELO FRIDAU

Špela Friadau je mlada umetnica, ki trenutno zaključuje študij likovne pedagogike v Mariboru, njena zbirka Mindgarden pa je bila letos predstavljena na Web Noxu. Tokrat sva pogovor opravili kot pritiče trenutnim razmeram – virtualno.

Na spletni strani WebNox si predstavila zbirko Mindgarden, digitalne kolaže, ki jih odlikujejo domišljija, žive barve in psihedelija. V svoje kolaže, ki so sami po sebi zelo dvodimenzionalni, dodajaš že omenjene nadrealistične elemente in fluidnost. Iz česa v bistvu izvira fascinacija nad živimi barvami in nadrealističnimi elementi, ki jih vnašaš v dela? Iz česa izvira težnja po dodani fluidnosti in globini?

Rada imam barve, ker vnašajo živost, atraktivnost. Poleg všečnosti mi je zanimiv njihov psihološki učinek, ko nas ločeno od motivov, barve že same po sebi nagovarjajo in vplivajo na naše občutke.

Fascinacija do nadrealnega mislim, da pri meni izvira predvsem iz radosti do čudenja nad stvarmi, sploh tistimi iracionalnimi, ki se jih ne da razložiti na enoznačni način in so plod domišljije, ne povsem zavednih momentov, dogodkov, misli …

Nadrealistične stvaritve privlačijo mojo pozornost, ker se mi zdi, da je v tovrstnih delih domišljija najbolj izražena. – Zanimiv vidik pri tem mi je predvsem ta, kaj vse si lahko posameznik zamisli in na kak način lahko to delno poustvari, brez nekih miselnih zavor. Zanima me ta pestrost izražanja skozi domišljijo, ki je vsakemu posamezniku lastna – to me najbolj zanima.

Težko bi točno opredelila od kod izvira težnja po dodani fluidnosti in globini. Rada raziskujem, kaj vse je mogoče izraziti na vizualni ravni. Od nekdaj pa imam rada tudi optične iluzije in opart. Zanimivo mi je, kako lahko naši možgani pretvarjajo informacije na način, ko so v bistvu zavedeni.

Iz kod si črpala motiviko za te kolaže?

Predvsem iz domišljije in sanjarjenja. Iz situacij, ki se mi zdijo zanimive in ali pa ponujajo možnost, da skozi ustvarjalni proces postanejo zanimive. 

Včasih motive iščem tudi po principu prostih asociacij, družim in izbiram elemente, ki se mi zdijo privlačni, iz njih pa se v končni formi nezavedno splete zgodba, ki jo lahko vsak posameznik drugače vidi/bere.

Kaj želiš sporočiti s svojimi razstavljenimi deli?

Da si je lepo pustiti sanjati tudi podnevi. 😊 

Trenutno zaprtje javnega življenja v Sloveniji zaradi koronakrize vpliva tudi na kulturno življenje. Kaj porečeš na kulturni doprinos in umetnost v Mariboru v času trenutne izolacije?

Mislim, da kulturno področje ostaja aktivno, kolikor se kljub vsem preprekam pač da. Umetniške stvaritve vnašajo tudi razvedrilo in prijetnejše preživljanje monotonega časa, v katerem smo se znašli.

Opažam, da se v tem času odvijajo razna online vodenja po razstavah, galerije se selijo na spet, navzoči smo lahko raznim video konferencam, online koncertom, predstavam itn.

 Kako sicer vidiš umetniško sceno v Mariboru? Meniš, da je v Mariboru dovolj priložnosti in možnosti za mlade umetnike?

Mislim, da je dokaj pestra in kvalitetna. Razstavnih prostorov je v Mariboru kar nekaj, med drugim tudi takih, ki ostajajo neizkoriščeni. Največ priložnosti za mlade umetnike se pojavlja v obliki natečajev, vendar je teh po mojem mnenju premalo in žal veliko ustvarjalcev, če jih ne najdemo na spletu, kjer sami delijo svoja dela, ostane spregledanih.

Rada ustvarjaš v različnih tehnikah, zadnje čase pa lahko na tvojem instagramu zasledimo tudi art videe, ki delujejo zelo hipnotično, hkrati pa odpirajo tudi družbenokritična vprašanja. Na kakšen način torej trenutna situacija koronakrize in izolacije vpliva na tvoje ustvarjanje?

Ja, res je. V zadnjem času se lotevam tudi kratkih video animacij, ki jih ustvarjam iz prej pripravljenih kolažev, pri teh videjih mi je super tudi to, da lahko vključim zvok, ki ima velik doprinos k doživljanju del.

Razmere v katerih smo se znašli, imajo velik vpliv na samo življenje, kar se potem odraža tudi pri mojem trenutnem ustvarjanju.

V nastalih animacijah se konkretno dotikam neizogibnih problemov in nelagodja, ki nastaja ob ukrepih in jih v glavnem občutimo skoraj vsi – od omejevanja na točno določena območja, na bivanje v primarnih domovih, nadzorovanje, izoliranost –  ki so istočasno tudi povod v tesnobo. Meni pri spopadanju s temi negativnimi čustvi v glavnem pomaga ustvarjanje, ki mi pomeni neke vrste ventil.

V katerih tehnikah si še želiš ustvarjati in katera tehnika je tvoja najljubša v tem trenutku?

V tem trenutku je moja najljubša tehnika definitivno digitalno ustvarjanje, ki se je iz statičnih kolažev do zdaj razvilo v kratke animacije. Kot sem prej že omenila pa rada dodajam tudi zvok, za katerega se mi  zdi, da obogati in sovpade z vizualnim delom. Z zvokom se igram na podoben način kot ustvarjam kolaže – režem, premetavam, družim …

Glede na to da se letošnje, čeprav turbulentno, leto počasi poslavlja, imaš za naslednje leto kakšne posebne cilje, kakšen poseben projekt?

V prihodnjem letu bo moj primarni cilj izdelava magistrske naloge in s tem torej zaključek študija iz likovne pedagogike. Ob tem bom pa nekaj časa seveda namenjala tudi ustvarjanju po navdihu še naprej. Kakšnih drugih projektov še zaenkrat nimam v načrtu –  bom pustila, da se pojavijo sproti.

Špela, v imenu ekipe galerije Media Nox se ti zahvaljujem za odgovore in ti želim oblico uspeha, tako pri pripravi magistrskega dela kot tudi na nadaljnji umetniški poti.

Martina Frangež

A CONVERSATION WITH THE ARTIST ŠPELA FRIDAU

Špela Fridau is a young artist who is currently completing her studies in art pedagogy in Maribor. Her collection, Mindgarden, was presented at Web Nox this year. This time we had a conversation as it should be - virtually.

On the WebNox website, you presented the Mindgarden collection, digital collages characterised by imagination, vivid colours, and psychedelia. You add the already mentioned surrealistic elements and fluidity to your collages, which are in themselves very two-dimensional. Where does the fascination with vivid colours and surrealistic elements that you give your works come from? What is the source of your tendency to add fluidity and depth?

I like colours because they bring liveliness and attractiveness. In addition to just liking them, I am interested in their psychological effect, when apart from being motives, colours in themselves address and influence our feelings.

I think that my fascination with the surreal comes mainly from the joy of wondering about things, especially irrational things that cannot be explained unambiguously and are the fruit of the imagination; moments, events, thoughts that are not fully conscious.

Surrealist creations attract my attention because it seems to me that it is in such works that the imagination is most expressed. An interesting aspect for me is what an individual can imagine and in what way he or she can partially recreate it, without any mental brakes. I am interested in this diversity of expression through the imagination, which is unique to each individual - this is what interests me the most.

It would be difficult to pinpoint exactly where the tendency for added fluidity and depth comes from. I like to explore whatever can be expressed on a visual level. But I have always loved optical illusions and art. I wonder how our brains convert the information in a way that is essentially misleading.

 Where did you get the motives for these collages?

Mostly out of imagination and daydreaming. From situations that I find interesting, or that offer the opportunity to become interesting through the creative process.

Sometimes I also look for motives according to the principle of free associations, socialising and choosing elements that I find attractive, and from them, in the final form, a story is unconsciously woven, which each individual can see or read differently.

What do you want to convey with your exhibited works?

That it's nice to let yourself dream during the day.😊 

The current closure of public life in Slovenia due to the corona crisis also affects cultural life. What do you think about the contribution of culture and art in Maribor during the current isolation?

I think that the cultural field remains active as much as possible despite all of the obstacles. Artistic creations also bring entertainment and a more pleasant way of spending the monotonous time in which we find ourselves.

I notice that during this time there are various online guided tours of exhibitions, the galleries are moving again, we can attend various video conferences, online concerts, performances, etc.

What about other aspects of the art scene in Maribor? Do you think that there are enough opportunities and possibilities for young artists in Maribor?

I think it is quite varied and of high quality. There are quite a few exhibition spaces in Maribor, including some that remain unused. Most opportunities for young artists appear in the form of competitions, but these are, in my opinion, too few. Unfortunately, many creators, if not found online where they share their works themselves, remain overlooked.

You like to create using different techniques, and lately, we have been able to see your art videos on Instagram, which work very hypnotically, but at the same time pose some critical social questions. So how does the current situation of the corona crisis and isolation affect your creation?

Yes, it's true. Lately, I've also been working on short video animations that I create from previously prepared collages. It's great for me to be able to include sound with these videos, which contributes greatly to the experience of the works

The conditions in which we find ourselves have a great impact on life itself, which is then reflected in my current creations.

In the resulting animations, I specifically touch on the inevitable problems and discomfort that arise with the restrictive measures and which are felt by almost everyone. These range from confinement to specific areas, living in primary homes, surveillance, isolation, all of which are also a cause for anxiety. In dealing with these negative emotions, creation mainly helps me, giving me a kind of release valve.

What other techniques do you want to create, and which technique is your favourite at the moment?

At the moment, my favourite technique is digital creation, which, so far, has evolved from static collages into short animations. As I mentioned earlier, however, I also like to add sound that I find enriches and coincides with the visual work. I similarly play with sound as I create collages - I cut, bounce, hang out…

Given that this year, although turbulent, is slowly saying goodbye, do you have any special goals for next year, any special projects?

In the coming year, my primary goal will be to complete a master's thesis and thus complete my studies in art pedagogy. At the same time, of course, I will also dedicate some time to creating inspiration. I don't have any other projects planned yet - I will let them appear as they happen.

Špela, on behalf of the team of the Media Nox Gallery, I thank you for the answers and I wish you great success, both in the preparation of your master's thesis and in your further artistic path.

 Martina Frangež