Spontaneous, Symbolic & Interdisciplinary: An Interview With oito
In the dynamic realm of contemporary art, where boundaries blur and creativity flows unrestrained, the artist duo "oito" emerges as a captivating force.
Their approach to art is deeply rooted in the notion of a symbolic system of self-organisation, where traditional systems dissolve, allowing for unconditioned energy flow.
Comprising Dimitra, with a rich background in linguistics, and Enrico, versed in digital media, oito harnesses their diverse expertise to craft a unique dialectical identity. This identity not only shapes their creative process but also manifests in their compelling works.
Their ongoing exhibitions, "Surfing on Life" and the virtual showcase "Twins," encapsulate their philosophy by exploring themes of energy, waves, and shared spaces.
Their interdisciplinary approach invites audiences into a shared space, transforming exhibitions into experiences that transcend geographical boundaries. Join us as we delve into the world of oito, where art, language, and life converge in a harmonious dance of colours and ideas.
Read the full interview to uncover their unique philosophy and creative journey.
oito. Image courtesy of the artist.
SAH: What initially sparked your collaboration as the artist duo "oito"?
oito: It just happened. Not planned nor discussed theoretically. At some stage, it appeared obvious that we could organise some artistic realm, where things could happen by letting the flow of our conversations generate the energy needed to turn that flow into art.
SAH: oito often refers to art as a symbolic system of self-organisation. Can you elaborate on how this concept shapes your creative process?
oito: oito refers to that realm, where things can freely flow. The symbolic system we refer to is really a system where the system as we know it has no meaning and energy can flow un-conditioned by any kind of imposition.
oito. The lovesome shades of a summer dream. Acrylic on canvas. 100 x 100 cm.
SAH: The idea of "the oito way" involves exploring a shared, dialectical identity. How do you both contribute to this identity and how does it manifest in your work?
oito: Listening to each other is the main way we generate ideas, so its a dialectical identity based on the exploration of a shared spectrum of energy, working out the different wavelengths forming that spectrum. Words, colours, shapes, sequences, they all are parts of the same world and they all need to feel comfortably part of that world.
SAH: With Dimitra's background in linguistics and Enrico's in digital media, how do these diverse fields influence your art projects?
oito: Its not really the background per se as much as the way we both lived that personal background that is contributing to what we are now. This is how ideas like uniqueness and repetition started to make sense, when seemingly different backgrounds appeared to share spaces and realities.
oito. Humming twins 1. Acrylic on canvas. 80 x 80 cm.
oito. Humming twins 2. Acrylic on canvas. 80 x 80 cm.
SAH: Your current exhibition, "Surfing on Life," and the virtual show "Twins" seem to encapsulate your artistic philosophy. Could you discuss the themes you explored in these exhibitions?
oito: When you start exploring energy and waves and shared wavelengths as an artistic realm, where life expands and flows, the Surfing on Life really happens without much effort. The virtual shows are just the natural evolution of that idea of free, un-clustered shared space.
SAH: How do you challenge the role of physicality in identity formation through your art?
oito: The identity is there regardless of the physicality of its manifestation. We just have fun with colours while living that identity.
SAH: As artists with experience in various cultural hubs like London, Athens, and Milan, what role does geography play in your work and artistic identity?
oito: Very little physically, yet each place has a different energy and that energy is what influenced what we grew into and later shared - although we ended up realising that we have most likely always lived in that shared space, feeding it with the energy of the place we were in physically. Different energies but fitting that same spectrum or, rather, shaping it.
oito. Within a flower, staring at the sky. Acrylic on canvas. 100 x 100 cm.
SAH: Given your upcoming exhibitions in major cities, do you adapt your installations to resonate with these diverse audiences?
oito: Installations open up a shared space, where the energy of a city can contribute to our artistic realm and we can bring some energy into that space for our audience to share, so the choice of works is primarily concerned with making sure they make sense to each other to tune up.
SAH: Enrico, your work often involves blending boundaries across different fields. Can you share an example of how this interdisciplinary approach has given rise to a unique art piece?
oito: Its all about seeing things from outside the standard way of looking at them, yet always in tune with your main objective (engineering-wise) or your wave (art-wise). Its amazing how much the two processes have in common, which facilitates navigating in both realms, merging them into a common way of seeing things. Each art piece is unique as each solution is unique, yet repeating themselves as projects evolve.
SAH: Dimitra, with your extensive background in philosophy and the arts, how do language and literature intersect with your visual art practice?
oito: Language and art are both symbolic systems of meaning. They are vehicles of self-organisation, supporting different aspects and functions of the self: language supports the organisation of thought, art supports the organisation of emotion. As oito, we are particularly interested in how self-organisation can reach the level where the thinking side of our emotions reflects the feeling side of our thoughts and vice versa. This type of inner organisation protects the overall economy of the system. We also perceive the self as a continuum, therefore code switching is no more than a question of inner flow.
oito. The unbowed undulations of a shared hum. Acrylic on canvas. 100 x 100 cm.
SAH: Looking forward, what are your aspirations for oito in terms of evolving your art practice and expanding your influence in the global art scene?
oito: Keep having fun with colours and words, eventually turning that into an artistic movement free from being an artistic movement.
SAH: What advice would you give someone starting their artistic career?
oito: Follow the trees
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