10 Questions with Alexander Pom_Pom

Exploring modern society, Alexander Pom_Pom, in his works, creates an emotional space with references to the collective unconscious and classical works of art. In search of the sacred nature of the human soul, he turns to the archaic animal nature hidden under layers of social attitudes and cultural context.

The old art is subject to the principle of beauty. The author lacks it in everyday life. Therefore, dialogue with the classics is one of the areas of his work. He interprets the works of old masters and, through this, shows how much the world has changed and how beauty has changed.

Impulsivity and spontaneity are of great importance in his practice. As a rule, works without sketches in one breath. He often uses found objects. The search process helps him to use his intuition and physicality. Works with painting, graphic arts, assemblage and sculpture, sometimes following the path of their merging.

@alexander_pom_pom

AD BESTIAS! | Project Description

This project is the recognition and worship of the animal nature in man, the search for ways to reunite with the inner nature through the cult of veneration of the fauna. The altar is a ritual device, a mirror of the archaic basis of the soul.

Ad bestias! - translated from Latin "To the animals!" a catchphrase, originally from Ancient Rome, which preceded execution, when a person is thrown to be torn to pieces by hungry predators. I use these words in a different sense, "Ad bestias!" in my interpretation - this is an indication of the path to self-determination in the age of artificial intelligence.

The fantastic nature of Bali and immersion in the study of the tribal art of Indonesia pushed me to make a site-specific project. The basis of the altars are found objects: wooden details of traditional houses and fishing boats, as well as wood collected on the ocean during the rainy season.

The objects are made at the intersection of assemblage and sculpture techniques. Their physicality and primitiveness also concern the method of their production - I did not resort to the services of craftsmen and used the simplest mechanical tools. The palette of materials includes exotic woods (mahogany, teak, bamboo, rosewood, and many others), epoxy, plastic, pewter, hardware, nails, and textiles.

— Alexander Pom_Pom

INTERVIEW

First of all, tell us about your background. When did you start getting involved with visual arts, and how?

I grew up in a creative family and felt a craving for art as a child. When I first came to the Hermitage Museum, I was amazed at the power that I felt from ancient sculpture and painting of the Renaissance. I graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, and then worked in my specialty. About five years ago, I unexpectedly started doing visual arts. This was the requirement of my nature, and I allowed myself this.
At the beginning of this year, I went through a three-month online art residency Art project from Get Art Fit. It was a valuable experience. I got acquainted with the project method of work and realized the importance of research in art.

You are originally from Russia, but you are currently living and working in Bali. How do those different environments influence your practice as an artist?

I moved from Russia to Bali about a year ago, and honestly, it's like moving to another planet. I have a European background, and my first impressions were a mixture of delight and shock. Local culture combined with incredible nature creates magic.
I also managed to create comfortable conditions for production. Working in the studio gives me pleasure.

And how would you define yourself as an artist nowadays? What is your personal aim?

I recently thought about the profession of an artist, and now I am taking my first steps in this direction. My personal goal at the moment is to show my work and start interacting with the viewer. Now, I am working on the organization of my exhibition in Bali. And of course, it is very important for me now to work on deepening my research and honing my figurative language.

In your biography, you mention how impulsivity and spontaneity are a great part of your creative process. What is your creative process like?

My creative method is to trust my intuition and physicality. I am deeply convinced that the most powerful images and ideas are in the depths of the subconscious. So I always start with action, without any plan.

And what is the most challenging part of your work?

To finish the work, I need to realize what it is about. This is where the research begins. It takes time and patience, but gradually, the puzzle begins to take shape.

Let's talk about your series Ad bestias. What would you ultimately want to communicate with this project?

My project is a reminder that we are part of the natural world. Human activity leads to an ecological catastrophe and endangers the existence of life on the planet. I see this as evidence of a big mistake in society and feel the need for a reboot.
I created art objects as a recognition and worship of the animal nature in man, in search of ways to reunite with nature through the cult of veneration of the fauna. The altar, as a ritual device, serves this purpose.
Ad bestias! - translated from Latin "To the animals!", A catchphrase, originally from Ancient Rome, which preceded execution, when a person is thrown to the mercy of hungry predators. I use these words in a different sense, "To the beasts," in my interpretation, is the indication of the way.

Altar III, assemblage, 95×92 сm, 2023 © Alexander Pom_Pom

Altar V, assemblage, 115×86 cm, 2023 © Alexander Pom_Pom

And how did you come up with this concept? What were your sources of inspiration?

I think that there are several factors at once, such as my architectural background and passion for European classical art. Also in Bali, I became interested in studying the tribal art of Indonesia and Polynesia. These unique wooden sculptures opened up a new world for me.
The problem of the connection between man and nature is something that I have been thinking about all my life.
As for the environmental agenda, it is especially acute here. The main material of the altars is found objects. In the rainy season, Bali is buried in garbage. I walked many kilometers along the beaches in search of timber washed ashore by the ocean and was horrified by what I saw.

You work with assemblages. Why did you choose this medium? And what does it represent for you?

I didn't make a conscious choice of form and medium for my objects. This is improvisation. This is my first experiment with volume; before that, I mainly worked with a plane. I have been collecting wooden pieces from crumbling traditional Balinese houses. Perhaps this is the influence of my architectural experience.

Altar II, assemblage, 121×92 сm, 2023 © Alexander Pom_Pom

What do you think about the art community and market?

I'm just getting to know the art community, and my first impressions are very good. On my way, I meet a lot of talented and creative people who are ready for an open dialogue. I like to participate in this.
As far as the art market is concerned, I see a great influence of the mainstream on the contemporary artist. I believe that this puts a number of restrictions and ultimately deprives of freedom.

And finally, what are you working on now? Do you have any projects or new series you are currently developing?

I continue to work on the "Ad bestias" series; there will be more works in the near future. I also started the "Hairy" series. The main idea is to look at the achievements of human culture through the eyes of an animal. This is a dialogue with old art from a new angle.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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