Image courtesy of Rania Fouad
Interview: Rania Fouad
Luca Curci talks with artist Rania Fouad during Hidden Rooms exhibition in Venice.
Rania Fouad graduated from Faculty of Arts of Helwan University in Egypt, continued her graduate studies in Japan, at the School of Art and Design – Tsukuba University. Her major preoccupation is to create artworks overlaid with the unique contour line of experience. She’s mainly a painter but she loves interdisciplinary approaches, so her works involves painting/video installation, painting rotoscope animation, recorded painting performance in public space.
Image courtesy of Rania Fouad
L. C. – Can you talk about your personal experience in Venice with International ArtExpo?
R. F. – I am glad my work was exhibited in Venice. I wasn’t able to go to attend the exhibition, but the photos of the screening were sent to me by mail anyway (thanks to you Luca). I was impressed to see my film screened in a classical context like that of Palazzo Ca’ Zanardi.
Image courtesy of Rania Fouad
L. C. – Can you talk about the artwork you presented in Venice? How is it linked with the festival’s theme?
R. F. – I am usually interested in visualizing the inner virtual spaces into which people reside and refuge. As well as creating works that tackle the state of being in between. The work presented in Venice is created as a rotoscope animation; a layered interpretation of three interlinked narratives: an eastern Haiku poem (written by Gozan in Japan, 18th century), a western musical composition (string quartet by Shubert) and a moving picture (Tystnaden by Ingmar Bergman). All revolving around the fragile transitory stage that lies between life and death; swallowing pain, struggling and blooming within one’s mind even if the body is withering. The theme of Hidden Rooms can be related – metaphorically – to the inner state of mind I was trying to express. Another thing I thought about while creating this little film was the hidden structure simmering underneath.
Image courtesy of Rania Fouad
L. C. – What are you currently working on?
R. F. – I am refining a project I started this year in Japan in Tokyo Wonder Site. It is called “In Between”. Actually “Haiku” was only part of this bigger project. Another thing I am planning is to do another painting animation based on my personal encounter with people. Like in Haiku, the interpretation will not be strict. Loose and rather poetic it will relate people’s inner spaces to the architecture in which they reside.
Image courtesy of Rania Fouad
L. C. – What is art to you ?
R. F. – I try not to be biased toward the usual way of seeing things. About 6 years ago I consciously started to make art a medium of grasping reality and self-exploration. I wanted to make my thoughts visible. So now my work usually demonstrates the process of perception, interpretation and understanding.
Image courtesy of Rania Fouad
L.C. – What do you think about International ArtExpo organization?
R. F. – International ArtExpo organization gave me an opportunity to show my film outside Egypt almost as soon as I finished its production. The procedures were simple, fast and convenient. I think that’s great.
Image courtesy of Rania Fouad
L. C. – Do you think International ArtExpo organization can represent an opportunity for artists?
R. F. – It is always good to have one’s work exhibited in international festivals alongside with the freshest and most current contemporary art.
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