Going Places With People: Into The Neo Future With Demsky, Spain’s Visual Artist On Display At Method Kala Ghoda, Mumbai

Artist Demsky is a force to reckon with. From garnering praise for his murals in 1990s, paintings in the 2000s, and now sculptures, this Spain-born Neo Futurist artist is steadily working to revolutionise future aesthetics. For his latest work, he aims to take viewers on a journey through dimensions. In a conversation with Travel+Leisure India & South Asia, the artist delves into the details of his solo exhibition, Interdimensional Hynosees, on display at Method Kala Ghoda in Mumbai. 

Excerpts from the interview with Demsky

T+L India: Tell us more about Interdimensional Hypnosees and the inspiration for it?

Demsky: It is a new immersion; a new journey to a new perception. I was interested in the concept of hypnosis in art, and I conceived of the experience of standing in front of a piece of work and letting yourself be completely absorbed by it–directly or indirectly. And then, you go to the next one. [In the process] something can click inside of you and you stay engaged in time by its stimuli of going into another dimension.

T+L India: How did you foray into the art world?

Demsky: Graffiti brought me here. I have been interested in drawing since I was very young. It is rare to find a stimulus that fills you with so much energy that you do not stop creating. I was not looking for it, but the perseverance and the desire to explore and find new paths made me learn to continually focus on developing projects, outside and inside the studio.

In my opinion, until you are completely immersed in it, art is a very difficult term to understand. It must be perceived in a pure and existential way, otherwise it can become very artificial. It was not planned or even a my initial intention. There were no other plans either, in fact! But now I am very grateful to be able to dedicate myself to it.

T+L India: You’re working towards developing new concepts in your studio works. Tell us more about the styles you’re experimenting with?

Demsky: For this solo show, I have decided to focus on making only #Phase pieces, which are more sculptures than paintings.

It is a concept that I have been developing in recent years. It consists of experimenting with various types of unusual materials such as concrete, mirrors, holographic materials, vinyl, etc. I utilise these unusual materials by giving them the chance to shine amongst other artworks hung in a gallery.

We are also studying new ways of printing and high security stamping such as holograms, and new technology systems, which we are trying to adopt for future projects this year.

T+L India: What’s your creative process?

Demsky: The process is different for each project. However, normally I am always thinking of ideas and I always have a list to develop. I see which idea fits for what medium and from there I begin to sharpen it until I reach the point where I want to go.

I like the parts of improvisation, risks, and mistakes; learning from the mistake and sometimes even retaining the mistake. I love the graphical-visual part of the error as a glitch; a glitch in the perfect system. For me, sometimes, the job to work on the pieces is more like that of an architect, especially when it comes to supervising and directing until I reach the point I am looking for.

T+L India: What medium do you enjoy working with the most and why?

Demsky: Spray because it is fast and efficient.

T+L India: Which has been your most memorable collaboration yet?

Demsky: I am always thinking about the next one. [I enjoy] the feeling and need of doing better; of imagining something better each time. I believe that you learn a little more from each project. I have a couple of future projects that I am working on that may be my favourites.

Having said that, if I have to name a project now, it would be: HYPERSPACIO (a new Neo-architecture project) with which we made my new Neofuturo studio space.

T+L India: Which destination inspires you creatively and how?

Demsky: Definitely Japan. Most of my inspirations as a child came from there. It is a place that does not stop surprising. I could also call it the future.

T+L India: Your favourite galleries around the world?

Demsky: The best gallery, for me, is planet Earth, nature and the world outside. Using a natural surrounding to exhibit artworks, for me, is the best possible space. Almost two years ago, I had the desire to look for a new natural space that is as crazy as possible. [That’s how I] ended up deciding to do [an exhibition] underwater. The experience fascinated me. We are planning to put some permanent pieces in different parts of the ocean in different parts of the planet as well, starting with Mexico.

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