10 Questions for Artist Andrea Kiss
I first came across the work of Hungarian artist Andrea Kiss by chance on Instagram, and it stopped me in my tracks. Her work resonated so deeply that when I started Gentle Things, she was one of the first artists I reached out to, hoping to feature her.
Andrea generously took the time to answer some of my questions—read on for her thoughtful responses.
What’s your name and where do you live?
I am Andrea Kiss, visual artist. Living and working in Budapest, Hungary.
Hungarian artist Andrea Kiss
How would you describe your work to someone who’s never seen it?
Taking pictures is one thing, talking about them is another. I consider the physical shaping as my task, and the presentation is for the theorists.
Images are created without words. I don’t like to set out a mental path along which the viewer should enter the world of the picture. My images have no fixed meaning.
In my photos I am myself without a face, in an indefinable empty space, sometimes my hair is important, sometimes my hands, my collar, clothes, etc.. I am in my photos but the sum of the pictures don’t fully represent me. I give a moment of my own. The process is self realization, self creation, self demonstration, self expression, meditation. Meditation is dialogue, the self is talking to itself…
What or who has had the biggest influence on your work?
The biggest influence on my work is the traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi which include asymmetry, simplicity, temporary. Nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.
What are you most interested in—or even obsessed with—right now? What excites you?
In addition to photography, I returned to graphics and miniature paper cut.
Is there a message or theme that keeps coming up in your art, whether intentionally or unintentionally?
I have theme-obsessions—different collars, lonely objects, flower-mosaics, empty spaces etc.—that I can’t get rid of for years, I revisit the same theme over and over again.
A man chooses a topic instinctively, there is no script.
What role does beauty (or imperfection) play in your creative vision?
Imperfection, irregularity is important to me both in theme and depiction. Depicting perfect beauty, perfect shaping, the overpolishness is far from me. Content is more important than formal aspects.
Images from Self—a series of photos by Andrea Kiss
Is there a particular work you’ve created that you feel closest to? If so, what about it feels extra special to you?
I feel the “self” series is the closest to me. I am my own muse. My work is the same as having a little dialogue with myself. I am a task for myself. Who am I, I don’t know exactly, but I constantly contemplate on it all the time.
Flower mosaics are also important to me. If there are any creatures that help us live with their mere presence, then flowers are definitely them.
Has travel or a specific place influenced your work? If so, how?
I’ve been doing photography for about 10 years. My subjects are always determined by the location and activities of my everyday life but I don’t travel to look for subjects.
Has getting older changed what your’re interested in making? If so how?
Getting older has actually broadened my interests. As time goes by, it’s natural for a person to see and read more, become more curious, and want to experience more.
What do you hope people understand about your work?
I don’t want to teach or explain anything, I’m just happy when my pictures bring joy. The image affects, and becomes a tiny part of the viewers.
*All photos by Andrea Kiss