Interviews: Insights from Visual Artist Jonathan Zawada's Responses and Creative Work
In a unique collaboration between multidisciplinary artist Jonathan Zawada, electronic music producer Mark Pritchard, and Rock icon Thom Yorke, a visually stunning, hour-long film has been created as a companion to Pritchard's latest electronic album, titled Tall Tales. The film, which is being premiered in select cinemas, brings Pritchard's album to life through Zawada's surrealist, CGI-influenced art, creating an immersive, otherworldly experience.
The film serves as a contemporary exploration of modern-day anxiety, with its bizarre, technicolor characters, eerie landscapes, and uncanny objects resembling a modern-day fairytale. In combination with the unsettling lyrics of Yorke, the film offers a surreal commentary on the perplexing and often implausible world we live in.
As part of the film's release, we had the opportunity to chat with Zawada about his latest project, its differences from past work, and other insights into his artistic process.
When asked about what he has been working on, Zawada described a vast body of work commissioned for Mark Pritchard and Thom Yorke's album Tall Tales. This monumental project, which has taken approximately four to five years to complete, demanded an extensive creative effort to maintain a consistent aesthetic approach and thematic unity across the entire body of work.
In contrast to his previous work, Zawada aimed to create a cohesive, multifaceted aesthetic experience in which each piece relates and connects to others while retaining its individuality. This approach was meant to reflect the music's unique qualities.
When discussing the most creative moments, Zawada revealed that he often experiences his most profound ideas in the silence of the night. The subsequent impossibility of execution and the absence of external influence allow his mind to feel unencumbered, leading to the most creative outcomes.
One of the most recent albums that Zawada considers a "no-skips" album is I Inside The Old Year Dying by PJ Harvey, which he discovered through a conversation with Mark Pritchard. The album's thought-provoking themes and haunting melodies capture Zawada's attention, reminding him of the impactful listening experiences he had in his youth.
Zawada expressed his admiration for the work of Uwe Henneken, citing his beautiful, ethereal paintings as a source of inspiration. He also praised the design of the 1992 Nissan Exa for its innovative features and overall perfection in functionality.
In conversations with Dia Beacon, Zawada encountered art that left an indelible impression on him. Reflecting on the change in his artistic perceptions over time, he appreciated the Duo Nesting Boxes by Larry Bell for their unique aesthetic appeal.
Finally, Zawada revealed some personal insights into his artistic journey, including the fact that art has evolved to function as a form of meditation for him, allowing him to quell anxiety and find a sense of tranquility. He also spoke of the influence Elton John had on his career, urging him to leave Australia in pursuit of greater opportunities.
In the interview, Zawada mentioned that he has been working on a vast body of work for the interior-design of the visual elements of the album "Tall Tales" by Mark Pritchard and Thom Yorke. The lifestyle presented in this unique collaboration is reflected in the surreal, immersive home-and-garden scenes depicted in the film, serving as a visual interpretation of the music and the themes it explores.
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