INTERVIEW BY MLAN JAYASEKARA
On May 30, I managed to meet with the famous Russian-Georgian sculptor-artist, honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts, member of the Union of Artists of the Russian Federation, vice-rector of the ANO VO “International Academy of Arts”, grand doctor of philosophy in the field of fine arts, since 2016 the general director of the “Monumentskulpura” plant Besik Luarsabovich Solomonashvilli.
The work of Besik Solomonashvili is unique in its emotionality and ability to “reach out” to the viewer. Walking through his studio, you are involuntarily surprised by the number of sculptures so different in subject matter and style, but equally awakening your interest in studying them. Besik Luarsabovich himself called his workshop “Sculptor’s Kitchen”, which already says a lot about the atmosphere that reigns here during work. As a big fan of Besik’s work, I was pleased to ask him personally a few questions on exciting topics.
Good morning, Besik!
– God morning.
Now in the field of art there is trend that every work of art should mean something, have a whole layer of meaning under it. Do you think this path of art development is correct or is it a dead end?
– What is art? It’s a language. A specific language for expressing beauty. You just admire the work itself – this is art. And when you start to think, “Who is this?, “What is this?” that is more literature than art. It means that either something is wrong with the work itself, or the viewer is not sufficiently prepared. The feeling that strikes you when you first look at the creation is very important. Now in the modern world, artists are trying to go beyond their craft. They want to privatize everything, but in the end they turn out to be the poorest. After the seventies of the last century, new trends have not emerged. Except for the use of digital technology. One can only guess: is this a crisis? Crisis of philosophy? Crisis of thought? But man cannot live forever in a dead end, right?
I cannot but agree with you, many are already frightened by what is happening, so to speak, in the fashionable field of art, which has long become non-genre. Speaking of poverty, do you think the adage that “an artist must starve” is true?
– If you look at the history of the development of art, the impetus for development has always been the economic well-being of society.
For example, it can be confidently said that the Medici wealth contributed to the birth of the Renaissance. The representatives of this dynasty loved, and most importantly, appreciated art.
Another example: thanks to the emergence of the bourgeoisie in the XIV century of Holland, the very “Golden Age of Holland” appeared. When there is a public demand, geniuses appear too! In general, I believe that an artist should create regardless of whether he has money or not, but it is better for the artists to be well fed than hungry!
I never thought about it like that. You are probably right – every historical period in art had some goal, even if many of us cannot grasp it, due to the fact that we are not contemporaries. What about you? Do you personally have any goal in art that you strive for?
– There is only one goal in art is to create. Create and love. The general goal of course should be set by the artist, but in the process it may well change. I don’t think there is any one definite goal. I can have one goal at any moment, then after a while another and the first, for example, will disappear. This is a more lively process for me than some path from the beginning to the end point.
And how long can you go to this idea? Do you spend a lot of attempts to embody the ideal that first appeared in your head? You may call yourself a picky person in the professional field?
– Certainly. If I decide to implement something, then I will do it as much as necessary until it turns out exactly as I intended.
So is that a character trait or professionalism?
– I will say this: I am very picky about things that I consider important to myself. I can be very condescending to the rest..
Interesting answer. I think we should all learn to identify important and not very important things for ourselves, the main thing is that on this path we have fewer mistakes. Thank you very much for such a pleasant conversation! I will be glad to come to you in the future!
– Thank you too!
