Where the beauty gets created: at the LotaLota_'s studio

studio visit

Author: Marina Antsiperova

Photos: Varvara Toplennikova

12 July, 2022

We recently had the opportunity to visit the studio of artist LotaLota_, where we learned about the origin of her unique alias, the significance of humor in her interactions with others, and the fate of a cat rescued through her art.

WHERE DID THE NAME LOTALOTA_ COME FROM?

It’s a Roman word that stands for “burbot”. I found it in Wikipedia among other Roman names of fishes, and I thought it sounded great.

IT’S HARD TO LOOK AT YOUR ARTWORKS WITHOUT A SMILE. DO YOU THINK A SENSE OF HUMOR IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR WORK?

Having a sense of humor is essential to me in my interactions with others. I believe it is vital for effective communication. However, in art, I may appreciate a more serious approach. I like the works of classic artists that convey multilayered messages.

I incorporate a humorous approach in my art to convey deeper, more serious ideas. These ideas are often well-thought-out and planned, but I may not always have the time to execute them in a detailed manner. That's why I find that the funniest and most vibrant ideas come to life first, as they are often easier and more enjoyable to work on.

WHAT’S THE MOST FUNNY THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU LATELY?

As I have been spending most of my time at home lately, the funniest moments for me have been observing my cat's random somersaults at night.

YOU SEEM TO HAVE FOUND YOUR OWN STYLE QUICKLY, CHARACTERIZED BY WHITE ARTWORKS WITH WRITING OR DRAWINGS ON THEM.

It is my most comfortable form currently, perhaps due to my tendency towards laziness. In these works, the clay serves as a tool, a blank canvas for expressing my ideas as simply and clearly as possible. While I have had a desire to experiment for a while now, I have not been able to push myself out of my comfort zone yet.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO INCORPORATE EVERYDAY OBJECTS IN YOUR ARTWORKS?

As a child, I used to have the experience of seeing a familiar object, like a cabinet handle, in a completely new and unexpected way. It was like a sudden clarity and it always left an impression on me. Now, as an adult, it is harder to achieve this feeling, but it still happens occasionally. I believe that everyday objects have the ability to make us feel something fresh and new when taken out of their usual context. On the other hand, the familiarity of routine can also be comforting, especially when I am feeling uninspired or lacking complex ideas. And sometimes, objects might hold personal significance to me, it's also an inspiration for my work.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD THE DESIRE TO CREATE SOMETHING ON A GRAND SCALE? YOUR BIGGEST PROJECT TO DATE WAS A STAIRCASE TO A POOL, CORRECT?

In theory, I would love to create something on a large scale, but I haven't yet had an idea that I felt was strong enough. However, the idea is always in the back of my mind. The staircase to the pool for an exhibition was a very enjoyable and intriguing experience. I had to complete all the work in my apartment and it was one of my most non-utilitarian pieces, created solely for fun.

IT APPEARS THAT YOU OFTEN PARTICIPATE IN COLLABORATIONS. WHO HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE COLLABORATOR TO WORK WITH?

I greatly enjoy the collaborative process as it allows me to work with other artists whose work I admire. I can't recall a time when I didn't enjoy working with any of my collaborators because I carefully select artists whose work I find compelling and interesting.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT AS AN ARTIST, ONE SHOULD STRIVE TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE? I REMEMBER YOU TELLING A STORY ABOUT A RESCUED CAT AND HOW A PROJECT INVOLVING NEW YEAR’S EVE TAMAGOTCHIS HELPED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ITS TREATMENT.

I am not entirely sure if it is an artist's responsibility to make the world a better place, but it would be wonderful if it were so. However, it can be a challenging and weighty task to convey something positive and inspiring without resorting to sentimentality or moralizing. As a realist, I try to create work that is not harmful to anyone, even if it may not necessarily be helpful.

The story about the rescued cat deeply moved me, as it brought together a wide variety of people who were able to raise a significant amount of money for the cat's treatment. It was a heartwarming experience, and my virtual community proved to be incredibly supportive and generous.

BY THE WAY, HOW IS THE CAT DOING NOW?

She’s totally fine, jumps across the apartment every night and gets the best food and scratches all the time.

studio visit

Author: Marina Antsiperova

Photos: Varvara Toplennikova

12 July, 2022