Bomar Critique
Clam Magazine: 19 Questions with Marco Bolognesi
Clam 19
In issue nineteen we want to explore your world and most importantly,
The world around you.
What is your name?
Marco Bolognesi
Where do you live?
London
What's your job?
Artist
Does what you do reach and affect a lot of people?
Well, I hope so. I know that lots of people are now, since a couple of years at least, having access to my work. They can see my stuff on papers and video, through my website and my Myspace page and through my presence in the art world.
As far as how that affects their life I do not know. They like it and even if they don't they are pushed into talk about it.
What kind of control you have over what you do?
I like to have a control on all the phases of my work although I am not a control freak! To me having a crew, a group of same-minded people that work with me and with who I can share the creation is of the utmost importance.
How important is the work you do to your world?
I like this question.
I'd built and am building a world. My idea is to give space to a parallel universe in constant contact with the one we live in.
There is not one truth, as human being we can look at different worlds and mix them together with astonishing results.
Look at all the population on Earth that coexists with spiritual worlds for example.
With my work I ‘d build a world like that, where rules are different and not as one might expect, and if one want one can really change things. With my work I'd like to build a bridge for people to cross over.
Maybe I am an idealist. Maybe not.
And to the world at large?
The world at large is my world.
What do you see first when you wake up in the morning?
My wife and my son
Does it affect how your day goes or it does not matter?
My family is the core of my life, a life that I built and keep on building daily as a counterbalance of my artistic world.
I rely on this equilibrium to keep me sane.
Going to work do you take public transport, ride your own car get driven or walk?
I am lucky enough to be able to walk to go to work. If I am lazy or it is raining badly (which by the way doesn't happen too often in London), I used public transport.
I totally hate car: it is an antiquated object.
If you are not working how does your day play out?
I like to play football and to walk, to get a feeling of what is happening around me. I love to observe people.
When the weather is bad I spent my time with my other big passion: wargames miniatures. I have an army of 8000 orcs and with my friends we do endless campaigns.
As the world seems more and more muddled, What is the most important....politics, economy or art?
Are not they all muddled together? Can we really separate politics from art from economy?
I am an artist and no artist can do his work without talking about what happen around him. When I do an art project I am taking a stand, I am stating something therefore I am giving my opinion of the world . I am doing politics. I am earning my living making art. I am influencing economy and I am being influenced by it.
Why?
Is the economic crisis affecting your world?
Of course I am. Like everybody else.
If so how?
Well there is less money around. Galleries and museum (and collectors for that matter) are not "splashing" money anymore. Which is fine for me.
Do you have any tips to others how to handle it?
Help each others, create more collective projects, and be positive.
For me this is a great moment for the human race.
Is your plan based on a personal thought out idea or is something you are just trying?
I am an artist since I can remember. I learned through my work and through the people that I met. It is what I am.
How should creative people who totally depend on the larger economy handle the crisis?
It is a very difficult question to answer to. I think this is a good time for all of us to think over the way we handle ourselves till now.
What good if any do you think would come out of all this?
This moment of time can create astonishing energy in all of us. We will come out better from this. How? I still do not know but I strongly believe in it.
Have you voted before?
Yes.
If so, were you disappointed or are you happy with your choice?
I voted with my conscience at the time.
I would vote for the same people now?
Well, I don't know.
People keep talking about real life, what is real life?
Everything that becomes part of your knowledge is real, is the real world. Obviously everything changes from individual to individual.
What isn't real life?
It is an enormous non-defined "mass" of the unknown that hasn't still reached knowledge. The non-reality is a continuous transformation into reality and knowledge.
If success is not based on wealth what should it be based on?
Success is based on three important elements: the message, the communication and the medium.
Then there is a fourth fundamental one: destiny.
Does your everyday life reflect your idea of what your life should be or is it really far off?
I am still working on what my life should be. I am able to live of my art and I am never being linked to any trend.
Are your friends the determining point on who you are, what you do or are they just only part of it?
I believe that one can attract only people that truly share one's point of view and beliefs. That's way I have few real friends and lots of acquaintance.
Where is your world going?
I am not particularly positive about today's world but I hope things can change: Barack Obama's election has been a big surprise.
With the globalization the world is gradually changing into a dull hotchpotch of which we are going to pay the consequences.
Communication is all too often used as propaganda and it is more difficult to hear the individual and independent opinion.
Do you think your answers to these questions will project a feel of what your world is like?
Yes.
Finally what's your tip for successful living?
I am not a guru and I feel a normal person.
Besides I am not very good in giving recipes but I can say that to me is important to follow an idea with perseverance and build that up day after day.
I have never let a roadblock or a negative comment stopped me but I have always thought that even the worst thing must be turned into a positive learning.
Do you know the Brazilian artist Emanoel Araujo?
If not, can you google his name and tell us what you think of his work?
I didn't know him but I have to say that I find him very interesting. Maybe his art is not the kind of thing that I follow but I think he is an exceptional example of 360-degree artist having covered more than one field from directing to curating.
