Recently graduated from Central Saint Martins with an MA in Fine Art, Virginie Nugere is an artist who specialises video-performance and photography. Her work starts from the diagnosis of a globalized glitch in contemporary societies where she questions the way we connect to the world. Starting from this observation, Virginie works following a journey of the de-construction of beliefs, thoughts and identity. Through this process, Virginie's photography invites people to stop for a moment, in silence, and question the way we are connected to the world.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
I feel that the Minimalist movements and Land Art are the ones that have inspired me the most in my practice. Maybe because they are the ones that surprised and amazed me the most. For example, the work 4′33″ created by composer John Cage, also described as "four minutes and thirty-three seconds of silence " is always on my mind.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
Anywhere and at any time. The key is to keep an open mind.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
I would say that my work is to observe and to be open to the possibility that something extraordinary can happen... and then to seek to give form to what is seen... I always work from a place of silence... and then let myself be guided by the nature. Whether it's for photography or my video work it's the same thing. For example, for my work on portraits, I have to stay in silence with the person to let them express themself. Then I print the image on steel plates give to the photograph an aspect of something that you can not catch. Once printed on the steel, you have to let yourself be surprised by the rust on the metal plates and then tame the process to use it in the creation of the image itself. It could go to the point where the photograph completely disappeared.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
The list is long, but to mention just a few of them, I really love the work of Andy Goldsworthy, Guido van der Werve, Joseph Beuys, Diane Arbus, Roman Opalka, Ismaïl Bahri.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
Artist is a word, removing it will not change who I am.
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
Silence.
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
One of the paintings of Bang Hai Ja.
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
The galerie Les filles du Calvaire in Paris.
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
Listen to your inner self and don't let yourself be discouraged.
10) What is your favourite book of all time (fiction or non fiction)?
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, 1952.
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non-traditional art setting, where would that be?
In the middle of the ocean.
12) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
Trust your feeling, stay on your path no matter what you are told and do what is right for you.
13) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
Nowhere and yet everywhere.
Learn more about Virginie and discover her collection of artworks.
