Margot - Atelier A / ADAGP

Summary

In this reflective video, the artist discusses their ongoing creative process, particularly the series 'Santa Mondeo,' which explores a timeless, intangible world through intricate linework. They describe their work as a dynamic conversation between the lines, where they act as a guide rather than a controller. The artist emphasizes the fluidity of creation, using various materials to increase complexity while maintaining clarity. Their art offers viewers a journey through abstract and figurative forms, often evoking a sense of uncertainty about the nature of what is being seen. The discussion touches on themes of human exploration, symmetries in nature, and the need for balance in a fast-paced world.

Takeaways

• 😀 The artist's current work is part of a series called 'Santa Mondeo,' which translates to 'timeless world' in Esperanto. The name reflects the artist's sensation of being in a timeless place while drawing.
• 😀 The artist describes their creative process as a balance of control and spontaneity, where lines interact with each other and create connections, transforming into the final drawing.
• 😀 Since beginning to draw almost 10 years ago, the artist has always felt a guiding thread through their work, with recurring motifs such as the concept of 'doors' that lead to other worlds.
• 😀 The artist enjoys creating abstract works that blur the line between abstract and figurative art, with visible and invisible lines that make the viewer’s eye wander through the drawing.
• 😀 The artist uses their workspace as a kind of visual map, with sketches and drawings laid out to guide the process, similar to constructing a monument or building.
• 😀 The term 'operating table' is used to describe the artist's workspace, emphasizing the fluidity and unpredictability of their creative process, where anything is possible.
• 😀 The artist experiments with a variety of materials such as markers, pastels, paints, and even cutting and collaging pieces to add complexity to the work, always aiming for complexity without losing readability.
• 😀 The concept of working in series allows the artist to organize their work, with each piece contributing to a larger, expanding whole, forming a unified body of work.
• 😀 The artist reflects on humanity's need to explain and understand things, contrasting this with the acceptance that there are many things that remain beyond comprehension.
• 😀 The artist's exploration of drawing on animal bones began during the first week of the 2020 lockdown. This led to a deeper understanding of the symbolism and beauty of bones as materials that connect life and death.
• 😀 The artist values symmetry in their work but also embraces imperfection, finding beauty in asymmetry, which appears naturally in their art without being intentionally sought out.

Q & A

What is the significance of the series 'Santa Mondeo' in the artist's work?

The series 'Santa Mondeo' represents the artist's feeling of being in a timeless world when drawing. It refers to the sensation of being 'elsewhere' or outside of time, where the artist loses themselves in the process of creating complex networks of lines.

How does the artist describe their relationship with the drawings as they evolve?

The artist describes the process as one where they lose control once the drawing takes shape. The lines begin to interact with each other, creating connections that form the final piece. The artist sees themselves as a guide in this process, with the lines taking on a life of their own.

What is the recurring theme that the artist sees in their work?

The artist often sees their drawings as 'doors' leading to other worlds. This theme is consistent across all their works, representing passages that connect the earthly realm to something beyond.

What is the artist’s intention behind the abstract and figurative elements in their work?

The artist aims to create ambiguity in their work, leaving it unclear whether the drawing is abstract or figurative. They enjoy when the viewer’s eye becomes lost in the construction of the drawing, as it involves both visible and invisible lines that intertwine.

How does the artist organize their work in the studio?

In their studio, the artist uses multiple boards to display their drawings, allowing them to visualize all their work at once. This organization helps them understand where they are in the construction of their art, similar to building a monument or a cathedral.

What role does experimentation play in the artist's creative process?

The artist embraces experimentation in their process, using various materials like markers, pastels, paints, and even cutting and collaging elements into the drawings. This willingness to experiment leads to more complex and dynamic pieces, while still maintaining clarity.

Why does the artist use the term 'table of operations' to describe their workspace?

The artist refers to their workspace as a 'table of operations' because they believe anything is possible in their creative process. This terminology highlights their openness to new ideas and unexpected outcomes in their work.

How does the artist view the concept of series in their artwork?

The artist sees series as a way to organize their work. Each drawing in a series is a small part of a larger whole, creating a sense of expansion when viewed together.

What impact did the start of the COVID-19 pandemic have on the artist’s work?

The artist began drawing on animal bones and other natural materials during the first week of the COVID-19 lockdown. This moment marked a shift in their creative approach, where they started to explore deeper connections between organic materials and their artwork.

What does the artist find fascinating about working with bones in their art?

The artist finds bones to be both beautiful and functional, appreciating their ergonomic shape, symmetry, and solid structure. They see bones as objects that carry the essence of life, whether human or animal, and this gives them a new layer of meaning in their artwork.