These last years, if the media are in full change with the democratization of Internet in particular, certain forms of art always release the same intensity in a form little highlighted... it is the case of painting, Dakota formerly known as musician of the band BIARRITZ, he is a painter and proud to continue to trust in the power of this form of art...
- First of all speak me about what brought you to painting?
- I always wanted to be a painter, but also a sort of monk soldier, pilot of helicopter or a rock'n'roll star. But it is true that I was 9 years old and my mother had bought a sort of very big encyclopaedia on LEONARD OF VINCI and there, I wanted to be a painter; but more like a musician of the pop music of the Seventies; and now, I move more towards anonymity.
When I was 16, I left to London and while returning, I said myself that it was really what I wanted to do of my life, but not only...
- Did you try to express you via other supports? Photographs, song etc....
Yes, at 6 years I began music and I wanted to really practise but painting took the top... I also played of the electric guitar and the piano before my 14 years. I worked on projects of french rock band, BLIND' S DREAM, BIARRITZ. I also composed musics for films and documentary ones and small vidéos. I made concerts in solo under the name of Dakota. I made contests of photographs, I even succeeded in obtaining prices!
- Is passion with the profession there a great step, what concretely convinced you to do only that of your life?
I do not know exactly, the feeling, I felt very quickly that it was vital. And then when you realize that you do not return in the "boxes" which you have some problem to respect the rules of the game.
But it is true that for me this form of expression me completely nourished and enabled me to advance and to perhaps even make a success of my personal life. I was always fascinated by the relations between the men and the women, but also by the secrecies, the dead loss small arrangements quite respectful of conventions but sinister on the human level.
- Do you have idols? Intellectual guides who still influence you?
- Yes! So many! KIKI PICASSO, at the time of Metal Hurlant, an underground french comics, BASQUIAT, BOISROND, William AUSTIN. Bruce DAVIDSON, photographer of street, Henri Cartier-BRESSON, MAPPLETHORPE, Ben WATTS, the photographers of mode who combine street and mode... I discover new artists almost every days with amazement and I do not understand the lack of reactions that they generate... There is no policy of the promotion of all the contemporary arts new and emerging. It is reserved for an elite. It is a pity really which our so media company either so surface. I am terribly disappointed by his really cultivated quite high politicians and who allow themselves to so much scorn their fellow-citizens while not seeking to promote the culture, the intelligence and the sensitivity! We live in a world of consumption where ignorance is not a problem. it is really dramatic!
- Which glance do you have on all these old generations of painters? What did they leave with your generation according to you?
- They left documents, files, but also of great emotions which I have some difficuties to translate with simple words... Their works are very enriching and essential for the history. And I feel concerned, I as well feel a filiation with MATISSE, PICASSO or the men of the stone age which left the simple trace of their hand open on the wall of the caves!
- Do you feel to belong to a movement of painters with whom you have similarities or really think you of being with share in your work?
- I hope to have a work with whole share, but is too early to say which impact, which traces I will leave behind me. As regards the movement, I do not think of being able to be arranged in the category "expressionnist" or "free figuration" and frankly, I don’t care. But it is true that I will like to be able to leave a trace, an emotion but also a track on the human relations and giving hope, poesy.
- How do you choose your subjects or your models in general? What pushes you to organize a work?
- I like the particular faces, therefore all is with the feeling, a meeting, a good connection, a style, a way of living.... But also everyday life in its simplest aspect!
- Which pleasure do you find to paint normal people? People of the street?
- What do you hear by "normal people"? For me everyone has a characteristic. I "nourished" of my meetings, the differences, the similarities I like to meet people who at first sight, I would never have met. It is really enriching. The opening on the world, the adventure, the culture, it is what makes me live.
- And a contrario what did you feel while combing "false truths" of the legends of traditional or contemporary painting for example?
- It is super gratifying! And that given pleasure of meeting people of which you admire work. By taking again their techniques, I apply the rules of good "a cover" as in rock music. I think for example of the work of CAT POWER on his cover of "SATISFACTION" of ROLLING STONES. When I launch out on a GAUGUIN, I impregnate myself with his personal history and I seek the least trace of the least blow of brush on his canevas. I adore to add a small covering joint a sort of kind of joke like my print without denaturing the painting. And although I would be able to make almost photo pictorial picture I make it with as many feelings and heats that if it were one of my original paintings.
- Who dreams you to paint? Alive personalities or not.
- I would like to meet more artists, painters, photographers, actors, actresses... of people who make of their life an art. To answer your question, I would have liked to speak and paint with Jean-Michel BASQUIAT, Kurt COBAIN, Scarlett JOHANSON, Asia ARGENTO, Louise BROOKS.
- Is there a painting of which you are prouder than the others? And if so, speaks to us about his realization.
- Not, not for the moment... too early to answer this question. I would answer you when I would take stock of my life of painter... It is a rather delicate question knowing that one can like a painting because technically it is perfect or because the history of the image touches you. It is sometimes essential not not to too much give keys on the creation of a fabric and to leave that or that which looks at adapting the work it is where there is a formidable form of exchange.
- After long years in painting, some pass today to the video, which do you think of this evolution and you are attracted by the video for example?
- I think that it is a natural and interesting evolution... In any case, for my part, I do not think of it, even if I am a large amateur of media. But my desire would be more to direct me towards the "Land-ART", with stones, water and colors.
- Which are your projects to come and your remote dreams...?
- In the immediate future, I must carry on my road... expos, books, new subjects subject on the life, the meetings, the good, the bad. To travel. I dream of a trip towards Asia and the Central Europe but also to return to LONDON, NEW YORK or QUEBEC.
Interview réalisée par Ode Crizal pour 'Le rock d'Ici'