_{Image Courtesy of Nargiza Usmanova}

Interview: Nargiza Usmanova

Luca Curci talks with the artist Nargiza Usmanova during CONSCIOUSNESS of ANIMA MUNDI festival 2017 in VENICE.

Nargiza Usmanova is a designer & visual artist based in Oakville (Ontario, Canada). Nargiza’s career has spanned different fields of visual art, including light installations, performances, interior and wall arts, exhibit design, graphic design, illustration, and painting. This broad experience provides her a base for her passion of art lighting. Nargiza works with light in art and architecture, including designing light in public areas, interior spaces, performances, and installations. Nargiza’s art is in private collections in Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Finland, Turkey, and Canada. Member of the Belarusian Union of Designers since 2002.

 

_{Image Courtesy of Nargiza Usmanova}

 

Luca Curci – How do you find creative inspiration?

Nargiza Usmanova – It’s a tricky question for me. Every time it is a special story. As a rule, before the idea of a project came into the mind there is a goal or task. The problem is an impetus for the birth of new project. Sometimes it’s like a puzzle. I have coming to a final vision step by step. And sometimes I see a final image just after a problem has appeared. It is coming in my mind subconsciously.

 

_{Image Courtesy of Nargiza Usmanova}

 

L.C. – What is the most challenging part about creating your artworks?

N.U. – Speaking about creative process, probably, implementation is the most difficult. There are many ideas, but during the incarnation you come across different options, including financial and technical questions. The choice determines what will be in the end.

 

_{Image Courtesy of Nargiza Usmanova}

 

L.C. – Do you agree with our vision of art and what you think about the theme of the festival?

N.U. – I agree with your vision and I like the most of your art fairs. They are modern and fresh. It is pleasure to see new artists, artworks and be a part of your art life.

 

_{Image Courtesy of Nargiza Usmanova}

 

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

N.U. – First of all, our video demonstrates our art installation, which celebrates Canada’s 150th birthday, and how we make it. We share our experience, vision, creation process, and interaction of the art with people.

 

_{Image Courtesy of Nargiza Usmanova}

 

L.C. – What role does the art have in society?

N.U. – Most of my projects are made with close cooperation with my husband Maxim Zinchuk. He is a professional designer and photographer. All photos and videos of our projects made by Maxim, Including Canada 150. We love making projects that fill our life with new impressions and emotions. In addition to the visual element in our work, most of our projects have social meanings, such as connecting people(art installations “Canada 150”, “Patterns of Life”) or energy problems (OUTSIDERS: energy is inside). And these projects are impossible without human participation.

 

_{Image Courtesy of Nargiza Usmanova}

 

L.C. – What is your idea about It’s Liquid Group?

N.U. – This is the third time when we are cooperating with Liquid Group. It’s so pleasure and honor to be in your international team and show our art projects at your prestigious galleries. It’s a valued experience and great way of sharing your vision among professionals in the art industry.