Hi! Just returned from SEPTICFLESH head-lining tour in US/CA/Costa Rica/Mexico. Trying to rest a little as I have really urgent deadlines for many bands like the new Belphegor, Serenity and some others.
Let's start from the beginning. How did you come to the art?
On 1991 I had some private lessons in the Art Workshop on free Drawing with the purpose to enter the Supreme University of Fine Arts in Athens. On 1993 I entered position number 12th (also 10th in Thessaloniki) from 2000 applicants in Athens at the exams for the Supreme University of Arts.
I choose to study Painting, study from a live model and Synthesis with professor D. Mytaras (Dimitris Mytaras – one of the most prominent Greek artists of the ÕÕ century. A graduate of the Supreme University of Fine Arts in Athens, where he studied from 1953 to 1957). I also studied Photography, Multimedia, Stage design, History of Art, Theory of Space and Architecture.
University of Fine Arts in Athens is one of the best in Europe as the competition is really strong and difficult as the ability of each nominee is in High-Level.
You could study Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, theoretical Studies, installation, video art, Lithography, Mosaic, Fresco and icon Painting etc…
Can you tell about the main influences in art, which made the greatest impression on you? Is there such a work of art, which
played an important role in your life?I have been influenced a lot by the Egyptian and Sumerian ancient paintings and sculptures. Other influences come from historic milestones in the art movement such as German expressionism, surrealism, phobism, futurism, post war expressionism.
Ideas and inspiration.
Artist that I admire and have influence me are: Leonardo Da Vinci, Michael Angelo, Vladimir Tatlin, Kasimir Malevich, Constantin Brancusi, Francis Bacon, Pablo Picasso, H. R. Giger, J.P. Witkins, Robert Motherwell, Robert Rauschenberg. But the main Artist which was a great mentor and changed my artistic perspective of view was Francis Bacon (an English painter expressionist).
How much time did you spend to find your own style?
Years… And I am still trying to decode, explore, visualize my unlimited chaotic ego.
What is for you the basic credo of art?
Being an artist means that you have a great challenge and mission during your life, you have to research all the time, explore, seek. My works are distorting dream mirrors of the body and soul.
Where do you get inspiration for your works?
Dreams are valuable, because they release the primordial chaos in our neurons, annihilating the power of time/space continuum. When I am painting, I am trying to emulate the conscious state of lucid dreaming. Besides, a dream is actually a canvas filled with images (and much more)
from the subconscious, with responsible artist the Hyper Ego. The difference between the worlds of light and darkness, is that in the first one we use tools that carry specific capabilities and limitations in order to materialize the dream. In the world of light we must first learn how to operate these tools consciously, as "bridges" crossing our thoughts over to the canvas of matter. While creating art, my primal effort is to remain coordinated with my dream self, the one always watching behind my eyes, the ultimate one that is touched by the reflection of colors through light. I consider my art, a dark portal to things forbidden, freed from the safeguarding valve of Reason.Why do you have so many sick and morbid forms and images? What is so attractive for you in all of these painful forms?
For a start let me tell you, that the nude human figure always attracted my interest. I guess because I could express my self directly and I can process the clarity of the sculpture form. In my view there is not “ugly” and “beautiful” nude. For example a big disfigured lady with a small dog can be more beautiful from a model in the catwalk. Basically this is the target of the Art – to doubt, to morph the virtual reality, creating a new sensual reality freed from mediocrity of the day to day realities.
I think is my ability to externalize the chaotic state of the human nature with my own characteristic way. I morph and disfigure, and extend the normal form of the face insi
de the space, so giving a metaphysical dimension. My figures are suspended inside time with strictness with a ironic tranquility. The stressful cry of desperation that comes out of my shapes is a prophecy to a coming change, mutation and rebirth into something superior at the reality level and the soul level. It’s not by luck that one of my basic influences is the work of Francis Bacon. Maybe the most “telling” artist that left his mark in the art even today.My style is realistic with intense doses of expressionism concerning the central object of my work although the background remains clear in shape and colour.
A nightmarish an claustrophobic world, a plasmatic, alternative time, space where the main figures fight, scream, howl, pumping their power from the chaotic kingdom of the cosmic un-consciousness. A frightened, self-destructive figures seeking redemption… Images descending from the primal forces of metaphysical disorder… Disfigured faces and bodies free of moral and religious codes begging for transformation into a higher being.
My virtual disfigurement, modification and destroyment of normal form does not really connect with the criminal gridiness of the human nature. Indeed the human race has a tendency of self-destruction, and has a cover of hope for a earthly paradise, giving an optimistic message of superiority and power. Personally through art I am trying to bring to the surface habits from the unconcious, internal agonies that are metaphysical.
Which way goes your work from concept to its practical implementation? Please, describe in general terms the algorithm of your work.
My basic/main study (as I mentioned above) was Analogue Painting, Photography and Stage Design at the University of Fine Arts. Digital Art has a very fundamental flaw – you don’t have enough space to create and develop a correct composition compared with the abilities of an Analogue painting technique on canvas 2m x 2m for example. Even though currently digital art has reached very high standards still cannot externalize the true expession of human soul, the polymorphic, very expressive oil brushes.
I use a Mixed Technique; I choose to combine Analog painting with Acrylics mixed with Digital editing/Painting with Digital editing software like Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Corel Painter. Also something really important on my work is that I use my own stock of model figures and materials (most of the time). So the procedure let’s say don’t have a standard method... As some times starts with digital process which ends to an Analogue Painting... And sometimes the opposite.
With which of the art schools and traditions you feel the greatest connection?
I respect and I am really connected with Academic/Classicism technique from Classic period until Renaissance, but always combined with the deep expressionistic/surrealistic modern art elements which represent the true feelings, emotions, character of the human
nature. What conditions must be met by the band to start working with you?
No conditions, no requirements. I respect all bands (famous or not famous) choice and decision to work with me, so it’s a great challenge personally to visualize their music or things which are hidden inside their work. Actually some of my best artworks belongs to small unknown bands and I am really happy when I see their progress.
Do you take into account the wishes of the band, when you start to work, or do you prefer total creative freedom?
I prefer total creative freedom.
You easier to work with clients who know exactly what they want, or with those who rely on your own imagination?
If a band knows exactly what they want, then they don’t need an artist, but a technical designer to follow orders and illustrate their visions.
Do you need to pre-listen music before you begin to create and design the cover?
Yes, sometimes it helps, but generally I am trying to avoid listening as I want to follow my instinct and decode their work.
You are a member of Chamber of Fine Arts of Greece under the regulation of the Ministry of Culture and the National Committee of the International Association of Art/Association Internationale des Arts Plastiques. Do you feel support by the government in your work?
I am a Dark Artist with extreme and ‘’dangerous’’ visi
on... So, my government and especially in Greece I can’t say that I have their support. But, for sure, I had and have the great support of the Chamber of Fine arts and my Academy of fine art, which is one of the best in Europe.How often you organize exhibitions of your art?
Usually I make 2 exhibitions during a year... Trying to have balance as I have all the time artwork deadlines, and SEPTICFLESH obligations (recordings, touring etc.)
Have you ever thought about teaching in the future?
Yes… Possibly. I am thinking to make some limited workshops in the near future.
Is not it strange that often in the art we return to classical antiquity forms? It turns out that everything is already been invented, and now with more or less success, we only interpret the classic forms…
As I mentioned above, I respect Academic technique, especially the classic period of Ancient times. Actually this is the circle of life, return to primitive art and reconstruct forms and perspective with a modern approach.
Do not you think that it is not in the least thanks to people as Andy Warhol now line between art and pop-culture is very blurred? Art is no longer the domain of the elite… Now sometimes it is difficult to understand what is art really is.
If you want my opinion, the first artist which started to think different of what art really is and destroyed all the theories of Elit
ism and Academic approach was Marcel Duchamp and his unique “ready mades” (ôð. Marcel Duchamp, 28.07.1887 – 2.10.1968 – a French artist whose work is most often associated with the Dadaist and Surrealist movements. Practiced shocking method of "readymades" (ready-made), which becomes an artwork only by the will and the signature of the author). He tried to bring art to everyday life, by incorporating objects from daily life. So, he placed a big question or a statement of: Art for life – Life for Art.Do not you think that most of the modern art lost its soul and content? Most often, it is nothing more than just good technique. All work is made to order and put on stream. What do you think?
Depends… now modern art (after installation, performance, “ready mades”) started again to combine elements from Realism, Academic technique and Classicism elements.
Personally I think that when modern art started to exist as a movement we had a massive artistic attack of true emotions, externalizations of the human consciousness without the fear of logic and morality code.
Do you think art - it's just entertainment or art has something to teach and to make people think?
Art generally is my feed and salvation. It is certain with the discipline of the formative arts you could bring to life something, that comes straight out of your esoteric world. It’s a great mission, challenge to research-explore the chaotic ego of the human nature.
You're a busy man. How often you have a free minute, and how do you prefer to spend your free time?
Unfortunately even on my free time I am trying to read-research on things that I am interested regarding my work… As I said… I have a mission… To be an Artist it’s not so simple.
Thank you for the answers and few words in the end of the interview…
Thanks for your interest about my work. This year will be really hard & busy as except artworks, exhibitions, and art projects we will start composing new songs for the next SEPTICFLESH album.
More information about Seth Siro Anton can be found here : www.sethsiroanton.com
Interview by Alias.
10 äåê 2012
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