_{Image courtesy of Alkistis Kafetzi and Vasiliki Biska}

Interview: Alkistis Kafetzi and Vasiliki Biska

Luca Curci talks with Alkistis Kafetzi & Vasiliki Biska during PLACES the second appointment of SURFACES FESTIVAL 2018 in Venice.

Alkistis Kafetzi studied Theatre at the University of Athens and film editing at the Institute of Professional Training AKMI (I.E.K. AKMI). During her studies she worked as an editor on short films and documentaries. Since 2012 she has been collaborating with the Institute of Experimental Arts and the director Taso Sagri as a video artist for the theatrical productions “Dying as a country” (2012), “Psychosis 4:48” (2013) and “Night” (2017). In 2013 she worked as a videoartist for the Theater Company “Players” and the director Maria Sava for the performance “I bought a shovel from IKEA to dig my grave”. In 2017 she worked together with Vasiliki Biska for the art installation “Hell is Here” by the artist Sophia Gika. Since 2014 she is living and working in Munich, Germany as a freelancer videographer and video artist. The last two years her main interest is video art projects combining contemporary dance and human movement in space.

Vasiliki Biska studied Cultural Technology & Communication in University of Aegean, Greece. She is a Cultural Developer using multimedia (Video – Image – Sound). She has worked as a video director – editor for a educational projects: “The path of the Byzanntine culture“ (Institute of Constant Adult Education/ IMC Aegean S.A,Innovation services), “Lesvos – Dikili 2005”, supporting a non verbal educational methodology through sport and art, (European Network of Women of Greece, University of Aegean, Aegean Peace and Communication Assosiation Mytilene (Greece) and Dikili (Turkey)). In 2007 she worked as assistant director for the documentary “Reproductive utilities of olive s core” (Cultural Foundation Of Piraeus Bank) and in digitalisation and quality control of Books (National Organization of Informative Books). Vasiliki has worked as communication assistant for cultural events & concerts (“Artway”), radio producer (Aeolos Radio, Radio Nowhere) and freelancer videographer for events, commercial spots («Eurosports Master in Madrid», broadcasted in 35 countries in Europe). Since 2016 she lives in Munich, Germany, and she is focused on the artistic perspectives of image aesthetics and interdisciplinarity of Arts. In 2016 she participated in the creative platform – online archive of Link Art Center Dadaclub.online, for the celebration of the dada legacy in the centenary of dada’s birth and in 2017 she worked together with Alkistis Kafetzi for the art installation “Hell is Here” by the artist Sophia Gika. Among her greatest interest are music, dance & image aesthetics.

_{Image courtesy of Alkistis Kafetzi and Vasiliki Biska}

Luca Curci – What is art for you?

Vasiliki Biska – A poetically correct action. A work that moves me.

Alkistis Kafetzi – Art can be everything and nothing. The process of either creating or being the viewer of an art piece should travel your mind far beyond reality or take it deeper in it. Sometimes both happen at the same time.

_{Image courtesy of Alkistis Kafetzi and Vasiliki Biska}

L.C. – What are you currently working on?

V.B. & A.K. – Currently we are working together on a new video art production in which we want to explore aesthetically the concept of a person’s shadow. Alongside with this we are working as videographers in Germany.

L.C. – Where do you find your inspiration?

A.K. – I believe that everything in our surroundings can be a possible source of inspiration. A story you heard sometime, something you read, a discussion, something that sounded good to your ears and let your mind travel… Even a seemingly unimportant moment or action that you see while walking on the street can cause a chain reaction of thoughts from witch a solid idea for a project could occur. It simply has to do with my state of mind and the perspective from which I see things in that moment. And of course, most of the time the origin of inspiration, even when it happens unconsciously is our own personal experiences.

V.B. – Inspsiration can come from anywhere, a melody, a word or even nature.

_{Image courtesy of Alkistis Kafetzi and Vasiliki Biska}

L.C. – Are your videos focused on a specific theme?

V.B. & A.K. – Not really. The theme of each project has to do with what is in our minds and what we want to explore each time.

L.C. – Do visitors’ suggestions enrich yourself and your art?

V.B. & A.K. – Every point of view enriches an artistic project. A work needs to be exposed and as creators we are always positive on the matter of interaction with the viewers. Sometimes they even give you a perspective you never thought of which is quite important since we believe that each artistic project should be open to different interpretations.

_{Image courtesy of Alkistis Kafetzi and Vasiliki Biska}

L.C. – What do you think about the concept of this festival? In which way did it inspire you?

V.B. & A.K. – We found really interesting the triptych BODIES, PLACES, SPACES. These three aspects are giving a wide field of artistic exploration. We had just finished our project when we saw the open call for SURFACES festival and we felt that it could be a good fit.

_{Image courtesy of Alkistis Kafetzi and Vasiliki Biska}

L.C. – In which way the video presented in our exhibition is connected with the festival’s theme?

V.B. & A.K. – The project “Unplugged” Vol.1 started as an experimental improvisation under the main question: how do human eyes and mind perceive time, space and light. The human body is embedded in an “out of space” situation where different shapes come to life while the water represents the constant time flow which is possessing our everyday lives.

_{Image courtesy of Alkistis Kafetzi and Vasiliki Biska}

L.C. – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?

V.B. & A.K. – We find very positive and important that a platform like this exists. It gives artists around the world a voice and “space” where they can communicate their work.

L.C. – What do you think about the organization of our event?

V.B. & A.K. – Unfortunately we were not able to attend the event and our only interaction with the organizers was via emails so we cannot have a well-rounded opinion. Our communication so far with the organizers was great and we hope for another collaboration in future.

L.C. – What are your suggestions about our services? Is there something more we can provide to artists?

V.B. & A.K. – It would be great to make it easier for artists coming from other countries to visit the festival and also it could be a great opportunity if you were able to provide residencies.

_{Image courtesy of Alkistis Kafetzi and Vasiliki Biska}