Interview: Katarzyna Tretyn
Luca Curci talks with Katarzyna Tretyn during SECRET SPACES, second appointment of BORDERS ART FAIR, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

“In the years 2002–2007, Katarzyna Tretyn studied at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, majoring in easel painting.”

Luca Curci – What are you currently working on?
Katarzyna Tretyn – Currently I’m preparing artwork for two exhibitions. In August I will show one of my artworks at a light festival named Bella Skyway Festival. The main topic of the 14th edition is art and science. It seems like an answer to my art. The second exhibition (which) I am waiting for is in the IMO gallery. I will show there some new artwork which I am working on. So it’s a hard work and a joyful time.

LC – Which subject are you working on?
KT – In my art, I am trying to connect art and science. My fundamental inspiration is physics and astronomy. This time I will try to interpret Nikolaus Copernicus’ heliocentric theory. I’m focusing on the movement of the Solar System planets and their orbits. I will try to show them as a moving light. But for results, you will have to wait for a few months.

LC – Do visitors’ suggestions enrich you and your art?
KT – I love speaking with the public a lot. It’s very important to have contact with people – listening and discussing with them. The young public is very curious – sometimes their questions give me new inspirations. The older public is more suspicious and wants to know more and deeper. It’s developing. It forces me to always be ready and inspires me to discover something new.

LC – What is the most challenging part about creating your artworks?
KT – It depends. Everything that I am working on is some kind of a challenge. I always try new techniques, technologies and new combinations of older solutions. The first step is to get knowledge which is essential to convert science to art. The second step is to find the best technique to show my idea. Sometimes I need an expert to help me create elements of my artwork. So It happens that I have to rely on someone – and I think that it’s the hardest part.

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
KT – Theory inspires me – I read a lot of books about astronomy and the physics of nature. But nothing is as inspiring as experience. It was a reason why I decided to visit an Astronomical Observatory In Piwnice near Toruń. For me, it’s the most inspiring place I have ever seen and explored. I was there with an astronomer who was teaching me everything about sky observations. I was standing on the plate of the biggest radio telescope in central Europe. When I come back to my memories – this moment in my head is full of inspiration and subjects to choose from. But it’s only the beginning of a big process of creation. In my art, there is no place for mistakes.

LC – What is the message linked to the artwork you have shown in this event? How is it connected to the theme of the entire exhibition?
KT – I have shown in Secret Spaces, as a black hole theory. It’s a loose inspiration from Einstein’s theory which began in time-space theory. The artwork is created with thread. A ring-shaped figure was created by rotating this figure. A black hole is something unknown, it’s like a secret space which we are trying to understand. But when we are looking at this artwork, we don’t have to read it as a complicated theory. It’s something that you feel – so feel free to interpret it in your own way.

LC – We were attracted by your last artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the exhibition or as a part of preexisting works?
KT – The presented artwork was a part of preexisting works. But it was the ideal match for the subject of this exhibition.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
KT – Yes – very much. It was a pleasure. Cooperation with you was very comfortable and full of patience and understanding.

LC – Would you suggest a collaboration with us? What do you think about our services?
KT – The collaboration with you is a pleasure. Contact with coworkers is perfect. Itsliquid is very helpful in every step.