Pavlo Kerestey: "I am an actor who acts as a curator, a gallery owner, an artist and a dealer as well..."

19

February

2018

Epatage, mystery, confrontation and ping-pong – is it intriguing? An unexpected turn and a hidden deep meaning - in every work, and it does not matter it’s a performance or a video installation or an ordinary at first glance painting. Pavlo Kerestey – an author, actor, artist, and photographer, bright representative of contemporary art, public figure, initiated the creation of numerous discussion platforms in different countries.

He was born in Uzhhorod, but he is a European in his world view. These days Pavlo Kerestey is in his hometown. In the run-up to his exhibition, he agrees to a photo session, interview and ... he plays another part in the play which is his whole life. Did we manage to know him? Hardly. To understand? Of course not. Unless some of his answers to a certain extent lift the veil behind which the artist exists and creates. Somewhere in his mysterious world, at the deep ocean or in distant cosmos … Let's talk?

About the exhibition

– Pavlo, I have recently read that you prefer acting as a curator or a gallery owner. But you brought to Uzhhorod your own exhibition. What are the grounds for such decision?

– Yes, I like to be a curator or gallery owner. But I also like to be an artist, dealer, viewer. As well as an actor. I am an actor – one who acts as a curator, a gallery owner, an artist and a dealer…

– What idea did you put into the base of an exhibition that you present to the Transcarpathian viewer?

– The exhibition has a conditional title "Pavlo Kerestey". The exposition will provoke the viewers of Uzhhorod, Lviv, Kyiv or Vinohradiv during a month … I can only add that I have been working on this exhibition for a year.

– Your works are often shocking or amazing, making you stop and think. What will you surprise the viewers with?

– At this exhibition, I will show my video work "The first day of the May demonstration in Lublin", filmed based on the last year events. In fact, this is a project on the protecting the right of workers around the world. I am very curious, on the one hand, how the viewers will respond to this protest. And on the other – the reaction of a gallery owner. Actually, the most interesting thing will be if the very gallery owner or the collector who disagrees with my position, purchase this work. It will be the best result. Why is it important? Because, I, as an artist, could work further on this problem. I would have the incentive to do such a work, which he or she (for example, gallery owners - Author) won’t be able to buy...

– And thus - creating supply and demand - you will have a new goal?

– Sure! This is a constant ping pong! And now I give the opportunity to the Uzhhorod viewers, and not only Uzhhorod, to respond to my proposal.

– An artist always, as for me, expects to a dialogue with the viewers. Or to other action. What do you expect from Transcarpathians?

– I'm curious to discuss, so I'm definitely looking forward to a dialogue! I wonder what the viewer's reaction will be, but I'm sure we will find a topic for discussion. However, I anticipate that it may be drawn-out. There will be objections. The viewers will definitely disagree with the price I offer. But I won’t hold such an exhibition any more.

About the creativity

– Pavlo, let's turn to your creativity. Since you are from Uzhhorod and in your works, especially the early ones, there are bright, rich colours, so can one say that this is the influence of the Transcarpathian school of painting?

– This is your interpretation. I am inclined to agree with you.

– It is interesting how it is born an idea in an artist’s imagination, how he realizes which shades comply with one or other of the emotions?

– I would answer this question as follows: there is no inner vision in art or painting – there is only rethinking and constant thought. Today, artists do not create, as they say, "from the stomach", on the contrary, they work with their head. And as to paints… Then I only work with colour when a painting says that there is a colour. And then to your interpretation I add my interpretation of how to work with paints.

– Is there a favourite shade of paint you start working with?

– My favourite colour is that at hand. This is the cheapest way of representing the idea or something else. It should be portrayed as well. And you should also understand why you represent it that way. These are the main questions: what are you doing and why.

– Music? Book? A pretty woman – what can inspire you as an artist?

– It is not music, rather a book. Pretty women – no as well. Handsome men? Maybe yes. I get inspired by what we do not see around us. I am interested in those processes that occur, especially when it goes about anger, certain reaction. Accordingly, I may overreact to them, but it also inspires. There are a lot of ideas that probably cannot be realized. But there are those that can be implemented, and they worth it.

– Do they include the topic of migration? Obviously, it hurts you…

– The theme of migration-emigration worries me. But I change the genres very quickly. The transition from one state to another is natural for me. But now I am glad that I have the opportunity to play this role with you – the role of a migrant, an emigrant...

– Pavlo, the terms "role" and "actor" can be often heard from you. Does it mean you are playing? Even now for the interview?

– Let me say this: if we want to understand each other, then we play a single role with you. I’ll play your role if we want to reach a consensus. I need to know what and how you think, otherwise we will not be able to communicate. Another question is how to speak if you do not know the language? Only through the language of art. Or music, dance or acting. This is an international language. And when I put on the mask of an actor, a musician or an artist, I'm happy. Because I understand that someone is listening to me, someone is watching my roles. I feel myself useful. And, believe me, there is a demand for it, because everything is sold, and everything has its price …

– What is kitsch in your opinion? And what will never become kitsch?

– The art that is critical or self-critical is contemporary art. And what does not react to the surrounding changes is kitsch.

– Do you have idée fixe you’d like to implement?

– To open the borders – so that they simply do not exist in the world! Free space is not for money, but for people. This is my dream – to build that community, that union, where we can move without obstacles. Peaceful planet – without weapon, violence, hierarchies. A planet that is open to everyone, not just for capital. And everybody to respect each other.

– Our conversation now seems too serious to me … Can you tell any funny case from your creative life?

– There were a lot of them. But the funniest is when one buys my works. That's funny. It's always a joke, laughter. And this is a weapon! This is the greatest weapon of an artist – to joke, laugh at the fact that your work is needed for someone else.

– As far as I know, you are fond of photography. Let's talk about it …

– Yes, I like to take photos, now, mostly, nature – trees, forests, roses, tulips… I have no goal yet.

– I do not believe in it, maybe you are still developing an idea?

– Maybe. This plan is developing. I climb high into the mountains, dive deep into the ocean, fly high into the sky to photograph the wildlife that will not be tomorrow. It must be preserved. This is what keeps us on the planet.

– In addition to the brush, camera and photo-camera, which tools do you use?

– Conversation, discussion, two- and three-dimensional projects, documentation, photo documentation – I work with them.

– You enumerated quite a long list of tools! If compared with the capabilities of artists a century ago, it is obvious that today it is much easier for an artist to express himself, isn’t it?

– I have not ever been interested in means. They either exist or they do not. They either work side by side to reproduce the thought of an artist or not. They are not a final goal.

– That is, the main thing – not means, but ideas …

– Yes, an artist constantly changes. He doesn’t work on the same thing. I am always interested in the final product.

About “Silver Easel”

– Last autumn you came to Uzhhorod from Europe and acted as a member of the jury of the Student Contest in Painting "Silver Easel". What did you like first of all?

– I saw admiring eyes of the students, their commitment to what I told them. It seems to me they were sincerely intrigued, and it was a great gift to me from the participants of this contest. It was the very purpose I went to Uzhhorod for – to talk with young people.

 – How do you think what such contests give young people?

– As for me, the most important thing is communication! When discussing, young people get enriched, they get new experience, because this is the most important! However, I will clarify – you need to learn what to do with this experience. Like with a language. You can know it, but not to use it to achieve your goals. That's why it's very good when it's possible to work together.

– Obviously, I can conclude that such art events are good?

– It is not interesting today for us to talk with an artist who is simply able to hold a brush in his hand. No! We are interested in youth. We are interested in seeing growth. Therefore, this contest is important – in the form of meetings, discussions that should be held constantly. Perhaps they are held in educational institutions, but the information exchange between the students of different educational institutions is not so great. It would be nice if we had a new informal platform where young people could gather and discuss what they are worried about. Find answers to numerous questions like what can be the result of anarchic, punk-like? Is it possible at all to work with this? What about autonomy in art? … And so on... As for me, they need to work harder, because there is a lot to work on!

– Pavlo, this interview is probably the most original of all I had. Indeed, it was interesting and unusual. Particularly, to feel yourself in a certain role, on an improvised stage, and not just to ask but also to respond. Thank you for conversation. Wish you success in the future projects!

Text: Nataliia Petervari
Photo: Oleg Oparanyuk
© Art&Culture Foundation Brovdi Art