Meet Cristina Ramirez from Art Colony
What is your idea of freedom? Freedom is a state of mind in which there is no interference between your purpose and the means to obtain it.
What is your favorite film related to nature? I couldn’t choose just a film related to nature, in fact I'm fascinated by every Werner Herzog’s documentary in which the natural world is the protagonist. Into the Inferno, Happy People, Encounters at the End of the World, Cave of Forgotten Dreams and so on. Herzog shows the wild as something brutal, without concessions for the human being. At the same time, his point of view about the natural world shows a great sense of humour.
Why did you decide to be part of BIG BERRY? Right from the start, I thought BIG BERRY Art Colony was a very interesting project: I loved the idea of giving visibility to art and artists in places where this isn’t usual. These initiatives are essential to build a critical society connecting art with people.
Furthermore, on a personal level, BIG BERRY Art Colony was a great opportunity to develop a mural project in a privileged environment. BIG BERRY, Kolpa River and Bela Krajina region were the perfect context to create two murals that deal with freedom, nature and landscape.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would choose a place where I could develop my art without limitations: a place where my profession were valued and respected.
What makes you feel at home? People and honest personal relationships. I can say that I felt at home in BIG BERRY.
How will you remember your experience with BIG BERRY Art Colony? No doubt BIG BERRY Art Colony has been an excellent experience for me – professionally and personally. Working with Maja and Edin, the committed professionals in charge of the Art Colony project, was fantastic. I’m really grateful for all their help and support. In addition, sharing the experience with other muralists has been of great learning.
What song gives you inspiration? Every time I work on a mural I listen to an album over an over, like a mantra. With BIG BERRY mural it was David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
Tell us about the craziest art project that you have done? The craziest art project that I've ever done was an installation on the front of the Town Hall of Santander, Spain. I developed this project in cooperation with the artist Álvaro Albaladejo. We built a hot air balloon and we installed it, aided by the firefighters, simulating a big accident: a balloon crashed into one of the main buildings in the city.
What is your philosophy of Art? Cosmic Pessimism
What is the most important tool for you? Self-confidence
Who is your favorite artist? If I had to choose an artist I would stay with the violence of Goya and the interpretation of the landscape in the work of Patinir.
What other job would you do, if drawing wouldn’t be an option? None.
Is there something you would like to do before dying? Devote myself to art full time.