8 Questions with Sarah Kitteridge - Magazine Issue03

Sarah Kitteridge is a performance artist featured in Al-Tiba9 magazine ISSUE03, interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj about her performing work The Automatic Body.

Performance, costume, and social intervention…, The Automatic Body. The biological machine, the upgraded monkey, the thing that know’s it’s a thing. The automatic body is a series of work that explores human sexuality in a world of technology.

In your youth, when did you realize that you were going to become an artist?

A once small, crazy child version of myself, I would spend hours and hours in the garage cutting and sticking recycled materials together. I must have looked like a mini mad scientist, chatting away to myself as I frantically made bizarre creations. In one instance, I made a robot. It was bigger than myself at the time. I called him Grandad robot, and he held a baby robot in his hand. I still remember driving round to show Grandad. I may not have known then, but now recognize that I have always been an artist.

What is your creative process like?

I am the ideas guy. My brain will explode: like putting a mento in a Cocacola bottle and flooded with excitement. I will fantasize about the idea until it becomes an obsession. I will scribble down drawings. Create mood boards. Try to catch my inspiration, like a constant at the end of crystal maze. I try to imagine the idea in every possible format. A poem, an event, a dance... I try not to bound the concept to a specific time or moment. I will then create a version of that idea. Or collaborate with us to bring it to life. It will probably be a slither of the original plan, but From there, it will evolve and exist in its own right as an artwork. 

What is the most challenging part of being a performance artist?

I think the notion of 'performance' in itself causes me conflict. Aren't we all performance artists? Don't we all take on different roles throughout our day? Where does the theme in the performance stop and where does my character start? It is just a blurry, elevated version of myself? Or are all the versions me. I think you call this, an identity crisis. How much of what I am trying to communicate are ideas? Do I believe in versus approaches? Am I trying to get the audience to criticism? When I write my spoken word I'm speaking from personal experience, but you're also trying to connect with an audience. It's becoming difficult to be vulnerable and confident at the same time. It is theatrical and honest at the same time.

As you know, art is very subjective. What some people like, others do not. I'm sure you've received both positive and negative feedback in your career, but what I want to know is how you handle the negative criticism, especially when it hurts deep down within your soul?

I try and remember that criticism can be one of two things: helpful or wrong. In both instances, you can become better at communicating through your work. 

What do you believe is a key element in creating a good art piece?

A fearless imagination. 

What's the most cooling art tip you've ever received?

If you love your artwork, then let them go. Once the artwork is complete, it's no longer yours to decide for its meaning. It's free to be interrupted, loved, hated, ignored, and if you genuinely love it, you will let it go. And accept that maybe no one will ever understand what it means to you. Or perhaps they may enjoy it in a way you never could imagine. I believe your artwork shouldn't just be a mirror of the artist, but you hold up your work as a mirror to the world and let them reflect on it.

What is your favorite genre of music to listen to while working?

Deep house, techno. Anything that sounds like it belongs at Burning Man or in the future.  

Do you have any upcoming shows or collaborations?

I've got a couple of exciting things in the pipeline. I'm collaborating on a short film project with an excellent creative producer Shaneika Johnson-Simms. I'm also going to produce an art show. This will be the night that brings together multiple practices, showcasing a range of performers, artists, and poets. It will be sexy, futuristic, and fun. Watch this space. The Robots are coming.