Interview
eRgo Co. Artist Interview – Mirjam Toldam
Name:
Mirjam Toldam
Location:
‘The wild west’
Massey, Waitakere
Online Presence:
www.mirjamtoldam.wordpress.com
Tell us a bit about your practice?
I am captivated by the thought of life in a frozen moment. I investigate notions of time and nostalgia with sensitivity to the life surrounding me. I document and preserve the things I find beautiful.
For the project ‘The Lost Playgrounds’ I made my own camera. It look like this:
Pinhole Camera 2011 Mirjam Toldam
My plan was to use my homemade camera as a spy cam … it’s the perfect way of sneaking a photo because no one realises that it is a camera.
Ironically I managed to loose the bulk of my film but saved 4 images and would therefore subtitle the project The Lost Footage.
Tell us a little about your background – did you always want to be an artist? What path led you to what you’re doing now?
‘I create because I was created’
I can not remember when I started calling myself an artist. I have been creative as fare back as I recall. Perhaps the title came when other people began to say things like, ‘You will be an artist like your mother and your grandfather’. I had plenty of encouragement from family and friends to explore what it means to be an artist and in 2009 I completed my fine arts degree at Whitecliffe College of Art and Design. But I often think … what makes anyone an artist? For me the answer is not a degree or even acknowledgment from friends, family or other artists but to me it is an undeniable drive and passion inside me to create.
Mirjam Toldam Lost Footage 1 and 2 2011 Part of Ergo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play, Lost Play Grounds project
What materials do you work in?
I seem to work in various material and I often I investigate the same theme with different approaches and materials.
I may find an object, draw it then alter it by intervention, proceed to feature the object in a photo series or use the it to create a cast model in order to cast it in another material other then its original.
I suppose all the research and testing helps me to determine what method will be most effective as a final outcome. An important part of my practice lies in the tension between the concealed and the revealed stages of process. The evidence of process in my work suggest the feeling of sustainability.
The creation slips out of my control taking on a life of its own.
Mirjam Toldam Lost Footage 3 2011 Part of Ergo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play, Lost Play Grounds project
Where do you find your creative inspiration?
I closely observe the life cycles I see around me in nature and start decoding to understand the relationships between events.
The main inspirations of my practice is nature and science. My art is often a result of a reflection of the life I see outside my door. I am fascinated by its magic and self sustainability. The observations I make when reflection on nature can be detected on my practice visually or thematic.
Which other artists, designers or creative people do you admire?
Olafur Eliasson, Rachael Whiteread, Sufjan Stevens, Darren Aronofsky
How do you know a piece you are working on is complete?
When I am ready to let go of the control.
Mirjam Toldam Lost Footage 1 and 2 2011 Part of Ergo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play, Lost Play Grounds project
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned being an artist?
It is an art form to be able to let go of control and I am still learning!
The most important lesson I am learning is to let my own work have a voice of its own and to understand what the work is telling me about it self. It is important to be able to detach myself from the art I create to analyze it correctly and determine the next step with sensitivity.
Who would you love to work with?
Someone who is responsible and organised, passionate and open minded 
I also agree with Anthony Milas …it helps to work with someone who is the same kind of nutcase as me!
If you could invite any 3 people to dinner who would you invite and what would you have?
I would like to invite Jesus, Mother Teresa and Nicola Tesla.
We would prob have a pot luck meal consisting of unleavened bread, a glass of fresh water converted wine and a nice homemade Indian curry cooked on a high voltage alternating current transformer.
Mirjam Toldam Lost Footage Film 2011 Part of Ergo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play, Lost Play Grounds project
eRgo Co. Artist Interview: Anthony Milas
Name:
Anthony Milas
Location:
Here & Now (most of the time) aka Waiheke Island
Lots of money in the bank 2011 Anthony Milas Part of eRgo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play.Repeat.
Online Presence:
Website:
http://fromtheemptiness.com
http://anthonymilas.com
YouTube:
http://youtube.com/anthonymilas
Myspace:
http://myspace.com/anthonymilas
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/ftemptiness
Facebook:
http://facebook.com/anthonymilas
Discipline/s:
Music, visual, design, theatre, performance, improvisation, technology.
Tell us a bit about your practice?
Best to read the rest of this, you ask some great questions!
Bomb me 2011 Anthony Milas Part of eRgo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play.Repeat.
Tell us a little about your background – did you always want to be an artist?
What path led you to what you’re doing now?
I was at a party not so long ago, which ended up being what I think of as my album release party by accident. I was relaying my reluctance to perform my music live, because I’ve always wanted to do more than just sing a bunch of songs on acoustic guitar in a bar. I want to have a bit of theatre with it, a bit of artistry to it and make an impact and challenge people, and you just can’t do that kind of thing in a bar in NZ without being laughed at and/or bottled. Yet, the bar scene here is kind of square one for a musician. And this person at the party said, “Well, I can tell from how you talk that you’re an artist, not a musician… some people are just musicians, but you’re an artist who makes music.”And I realised he was bang on. I hadn’t realised it before, and suddenly aspects of my life I’d always been confused about made total sense. Things I thought was a lack of focus, distractions from my role as “musician”, were in fact me exploring different mediums of artistic expression as an artist. My whole world view just opened up. If I’m an artist, I can do freaking anything!
All the ideas I’ve had that I’ve never known what to do with because I’d always forced them into the unnatural context of musician, were suddenly freed up.
Actually i can its art 2011 Anthony Milas Part of eRgo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play.Repeat.
Being a musician and making music is just one aspect in which I might choose to express my art. Plus it opens up the idea of what a suitable venue is – suddenly the world is my venue. Every part of my life is my venue. A gallery could be a fantastic venue. I could be one of the pieces. I guess it was a subtle shift in thinking, but its making a big difference to how I approach things. So I’m just kind of getting to grips with that idea now, and doing the Stop Start Play Repeat event with Ergo was a part of that exploration for me. And I loved it! I’d love to explore more, and especially continue to collaborate with like-minded artists and see what happens.
Why are we waiting 2011 Anthony Milas Part of eRgo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play.Repeat.
Where do you find your creative inspiration?
Nature. I believe in following the ease and flow of creativity. And I believe that there can be ease and flow even in extremely physically or mentally demanding situations – in fact I think its impossible to achieve the highest heights of prowess without that naturalness, ease and flow. An acorn doesn’t exert itself to grow into a tree, it just does it, automatically. Yet it is an awesome feat, an incredible spectacle. I think nature has a lot to inform humans about how to live and create.
Which other artists, designers or creative people do you admire?
The KLF, Amanda Palmer, Banksy, Bill Hicks, Charlie Veitch (aka The Love Police)… anyone who pushes the envelope in that slightly-rude, yet ultimately coming-from-aheart- of-gold kind of a way. Truth is a difficult concept, as it is relative and subjective, and it is also in a constant state of flux and perhaps evolution, so I admire anyone who even attempts to communicate it.
Trouble on the high seas 2011 Anthony Milas Part of eRgo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play.Repeat.
What would be your dream creative project?
I think this is a good question to ask ones-self daily. And if the answer isn’t “what I’m doing right now!” then you need to take steps to move toward that. At certain times, when the light is just right and my psyche is balanced just so, I can honestly say my dream creative project is what I am doing right now. The rest of the time, I wrestle with doubts.
Are there any specific subject matter, themes or concepts that you like to explore in your work?
If there is one central theme that I am exploring it is the act of not-being-there while creating. Just letting the work come through me rather than have it be fettered by my thoughts, desires and any other stuff. I like to exist very much in the moment, spontaneously working with what is directly in front of me, and letting it have its own voice. That way I can discover afterwards, along with others, what it was I was moved to express and explore. It feels the truest way to do things and it also keeps my motivation up as it stays interesting for me. I’m not just doing the work, I’m also discovering it as a viewer or listener. My latest album is almost entirely improvised / first-takes when it comes to vocals or live guitar & bass, and when I used software to create sounds they were generally the first thing I clicked on, as were the modifications I made to them.
What is everything 2011 Anthony Milas Part of eRgo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play.Repeat.
The chalk pieces I did in Britomart were predominantly informed by the space, the moment, the other eRgo members, not by my preconceptions. (Other than I had an intention to draw mainly from my own lyrics rather than my greater vocabulary, though I also ignored that as the environment informed differently.
Do you have a favorite work (of your own)? Why does this one in particular stand out to you?
My album From The Emptiness that I keep harping on about. In particular the first track, which I gave myself 30 mins to create from scratch and started a stopwatch, I did the vocals in the last few minutes I had available, improvising on the spot in one take. I also had the rule I couldn’t edit the vocal – hence the throat-clearing at the beginning. On that first track, you can hear the realization in my voice, of me realising what I am singing about, as I sing it.
From the emptiness 2 2011 Anthony Milas Part of eRgo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play.Repeat.
I sing about hating writing music and the words evolve like a dawning on me of this fact, because that is literally what was happening as I sang. And it is basically true. I do hate writing songs. But, on the other hand, when I get the feeling that a song is already completely written, and I’m just discovering it – that’s different. I LOVE that! And it is primarily what happened across the album.
Someone please clean this up 2011 Anthony Milas Part of eRgo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play.Repeat.
How do you develop your work? Are there any interesting rituals or things you like to do before or during creating a work?
I find that if I enjoy my life, and eliminate everything from my life that feels like an obligation, then it frees up the creativity to come through. If I am working in a job I hate, I will have no creative ideas whatsoever. If I am doing whatever it is I want to do on a given day, say, lazing around on the beach and swimming, then the next I will be bursting with creative ideas and inspiration.
How do you know a piece you are working on is complete?
When I start questioning every action I take. When I’m working on something productively – from a good place, I ask few questions. I know what needs to be done and I do it. So when I start questioning everything, it is likely to be complete. Or at least, its complete for today. I’ve stopped knowing what to do, and starting guessing. Doing anything further, from that place, where I don’t already know what to do, is likely to be me just breaking it. In truth though, nothing is ever complete. I’m a total perfectionist. Its hard to let go sometimes and my album was an exercise for me in confronting that. I basically had to be the opposite of a perfectionist to meet my goals for it.
Restricted area 2011 Anthony Milas Part of eRgo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play.Repeat.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned being an artist?
That I AM one, and to stop hiding from, ignoring and/or fighting it.
What are you working on now?
At the moment I’m promoting my album, but I’m trying to do it in a way opposite to the way anyone promotes anything. I can’t go into to much detail as part of it is that it is done mainly in secrecy. Its an interesting challenge, but I’m loving it and my motivation seems to stay whereas in the past I’ve lost interest when doing things a more ordinary way.
Maybe if i try so hard it hurts 2011 Anthony Milas Part of eRgo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play.Repeat.
Who would you love to work with?
Anyone who “gets” me. If you get me, chances are you’ll also like working with me, because I am a very specific kind of nutcase, and someone who gets me is probably of the same kind. I generally avoid working with people who won’t admit they are a nutcase of at least SOME variety. I’ve come to the conclusion that people who believe and insist they are sane are SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS.
If you could invite any 3 people to dinner who would you invite and what would you have?
Amanda Palmer, Banksy and Charlie Veitch. Anything from the menu of the Sri Chimnoy Vegetarian restaurant in Cathedral Square, Christchurch.
Fresh fruit on the table 2011 Anthony Milas Part of eRgo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play.Repeat.
I made a sound 2011 Anthony Milas Part of eRgo Collective performance Stop.Start.Play.Repeat.
Artist Interview: Carl Entwistle aka Enty3Way
Name:
Enty3way
Location:
Auckland
Pastlife Records 2011 Enty3Way
Online Presence:
Website/s:
www.enty3way.com
www.pastliferecords.com
YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/pastliferecords/videos
Stores:
iTunes
Amazon.com
Napster
Facebook:
Myspace:
Other:
www.Soundcloud.com/enty3way
www.Soundclick.com/enty3way
http://www.amplifier.co.nz/artist/65674/enty3way.html
Discipline/s:
Actor, Writer, Producer,Rapper & C F O of Past Life Records
Tell us a bit about your practice?
I initially started back in the early 2000’s as a independent Rapper and with several groups. Recently I have been involved with quite a few projects in the arts in all medias. I’m currently the C F O of Past Life Records in New Zealand.
Tell us a little about your background – did you always want to be an artist? What path led you to what you’re doing now?
I don’t really know but back in my mid teen I wrote lyrics. It was not until my early twenties that I actually really started my art of Rapping & Producing. I don’t know what path got me here! What I do know is that it’s something inside me that wants to create, develop and be as great as I can. The motto for Past Life Records is “Be Great In This Life Time”
Where do you find your creative inspiration?
Inspiration comes from my inner self. I find myself constantly thinking,creating and putting ideas into motion.
I do get influenced by the media people I speak to and my past experiences I have incurred. I would also say alcohol has been very inspiring as well I written, produced, mixed and recorded an whole album under the influence which was very interesting.
Which other artists, designers or creative people do you admire?
Designers I admire would be Sarah Entwistle.
Artists I admire musically would be Jon Bod, The Streets, Wu Tang Clan & The Roots.
Actors, Directors & Writers I appreciate are Tom Crusie, Mark Walberg, Brad Pitt, James Cameron & Ed Norton.
What would be your dream creative project?
I would say to create a music album with the following doing what they do best would be one of them. The artists I would love to be apart of this project would be:
Black Thought (Production & Vocals)
Roots Manuva (Production & Vocals)
The Streets (Production & Vocals)
David Bowie (Production & Vocals)
Kate Bush (Production & Vocals)
Jon Bod (Production)
Issaxx Music (Production)
- Listen to My Size 2010 Enty3way
Are there any specific subject matter, themes or concepts that you like to explore in your work?
I need to focus more on the reality of how the life of a White Westerner is deemed to be more valued and more valuable then any one else, especially Black people who are impoverished and not viable to the media.
Do you have a favorite work (of your own)? Why does this one in particular stand out to you?
I am currently feeling the album Microwave by myself which was released this year Under the Past Life Records umbrella.
The album can be purchase from most online retailers including Napster, iTunes & Amazon.com just search for Microwave by Enty3way and you will find it. That’s the reason why I am most proud of Microwave because of it’s world wide distribution. Some person from Korea or India can get hold of my music. I believe that music should be made to be enjoyed and heard I have tracks available for free downloads on mininova.org
How do you develop your work? Are there any interesting rituals or things you like to do before or during creating a work?
I develop my work when I feel I need to. I produce tracks constantly and have hundreds of instrumentals for sale on www.pastliferecords.com The tracks are for other artists to use and develop there own work.
My creative processes and style varies if I am working alone it comes from something I over hear or I feel no one talks enough about an issue or it’s not been addressed.When I work with others I tend to let them run with the ideas & direction then I had my take on it.
Rituals creating on my own consisted of wearing only a towel and masturbating 3 to 4 times during tracks because I get distracted and need a release it helps me to focus and carry on with the project. Yes I am aware of what I just admitted too you but there’s a saying I have which don’t ask the question if your not ready to except the answer.
How do you know a piece you are working on is complete?
I don’t I just listen a few times and when I think it’s right I use it. If I think needs a little more of this or that then I add it and come back to it in a few weeks. Most of my tracks always need a little more but I can’t do it all so I put it out for others to put there take on it hence collaborations and selling my own instrumentals on my sites for as little as $3 a track going up to $5 a track.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned being an artist?
Trust no one and it takes time. Believe and love what you do.
Not everyone will understand your creativity but when people really take notice it’s the greatest feeling. Stay true to you but to achieve your dream be ready to sell your sole to the Devil.
What are you working on now?
My current projects are:
My Size – which is a short film I wrote it will be released 2011
Two Drunk – is a short film to be released in 2012
Auckland Slam Poetry – A monthly Slam Poetry competition
Kino Auckland – A monthly Short Film Festival
Future Ghost – A unique music collective from Auckland
El Der E which is a music album the expected release date is 2011
Ya Dick Head which is a music album the expected release date 2011
The Void which is a music album the expected release date 2011
There’s a few other projects but no names,times or schedules as of yet.
Who would you love to work with?
I’m open I want to work with people who have passion and can step up. To drop a few names I would say Richard Branston, Sean Combs
MF Doom & Jay-Z
If you could invite any 3 people to dinner who would you invite and what would you have?
I have thought this through loads of times and have to invite the following and there’s more than three here they are.
Richard Branston, Tom Crusie, Steven Coogan as (Pauline Calf)
Drew Barrymore, Julia Stiles,
We would have a buffet finger food to start and Beer & Barbecue followed by Ice cream & cake.
- Enty3way 2010 Pastlife Records
eRgo Co. Artist Interview: Chance
Auckland based artist Chance, aka Bettyblue talking about art, creative expression and the life of an artist.
Name:
Chance, Bettyblue (artist names)
Location:
Auckland, New Zealand
Online Presence:
Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/chancebettyblue/videos
Myspace:
www.myspace.com/bettyblue1971
Discipline/s:
Performance Art, Moving Image, Projections, Installations, Video, Sculpture, Collage, Assemblage, Text Works, Multi Media Events and Digital Photography
Tell us a bit about your practice?
The concepts of my art projects are often based on the questions “what is art?” (process/value) and “the artist’s role” within our society.
Tell us a little about your background – did you always want to be an artist? What path led you to what you’re doing now?
I am a Swiss born artist living permanently in Auckland, New Zealand since 2002. Since 1999 I work as an independent artist. In 2009 I graduated as a Fine Arts artist in Auckland. In 2009 I joined the eRgo collective which is a supportive group of creative people with various arts disciplines and abilities.
I really love creating things; I find it very energizing and inspiring to be creative. I used to be a kindergarten teacher and had a more alternative approach in teaching; I supported the creative force and personal expression, a lot of fantasy and imagination.
I am still on an alternative path as an emerging artist and enjoy working with a collective like eRgo.
Where do you find your creative inspiration?
In my personal growth or as a response to society with its structures and limitations, internet, books; Art movements like Futurism, Dadaism, Surrealism, Bauhaus and Happenings have a big influence on my art practice.
My dreams and intuition play a big part in manifesting a work in progress.
Which other artists, designers or creative people do you admire?
Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Marcel Duchamp, Marina Abramovic, Joseph Beuys, Johnny Depp.
What would be your dream creative project?
Traveling around the world and creating art ad hoc in various places, either in museums, galleries or in public places. I would love to do that in a group.
Are there any specific subject matter, themes or concepts that you like to explore in your work?
Perception, residue, movement and traces
Do you have a favorite work (of your own)? Why does this one in particular stand out to you?
The marmite performance pieces as an installation. They mean a lot to me, because they challenge the perception of common foodstuff being transformed into matter which acts as a medium in the work.
How do you develop your work? Are there any interesting rituals or things you like to do before or during creating a work?
I often get fired up by dreams (day or night), flashes of ideas or then I dance a lot to release everyday worries and thoughts to get into my artistic space
How do you know a piece you are working on is complete?
Nothing is ever complete, but if it excites me, then the energy is right to bring it out in the open
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned being an artist?
Believe in yourself and trust the process, be true to yourself, take ownership and defend your view strongly (I love arguments about artworks)
What are you working on now?
A current personal project of mine is about the explosion and birth of creative ideas, the conception and growth of them and how they come out in the open.
I use text works on shirts and film my womb (once every trimester) while growing during pregnancy and the writing stretches on the fabric.
Who would you love to work with?
Marina Abramovic, Bjork
If you could invite any 3 people to dinner who would you invite and what would you have?
I would eat an original cheese fondue with lots of kirsch (cherry) schnapps with Bjork, Marina Abramovic and Johnny Depp.