Do you have a vision, if any?

Vision has me – that’s the way I would put it. It’s kind of predetermined relationship I have with my vision; I didn’t rationally chose to have it. I didn’t decide “This is going to be my vision”. It’s a painful process which reminds me of convulsions sometimes. It strikes me unexpectedly and then I become totally consumed by it.

The perfect personification for my vision would be a wrinkled giant Grandmother of mankind. As her granddaughter, I’m obliged to listen to her. We’re bonded, dependent on each other. There are times I want to resist, but if Grandmother leaves me alone for longer, I feel lost and lonely.

How old you were when you started?

I remember my dad telling me: “You need to learn as much as you can until you are 22. Then your brain starts slowing down”. As much as I love my dad, I disagree with him. It’s about how you start, not when you start. You need to start with your heart, with full involvement. You can achieve a lot even if you are 40, or 50, or even 60. I started at the age of 20, but it lived in me waiting for a moment all my life. It just took time to get my shit together.

What do you think are the most important skills for a photographer to have?

To be an artist, not only a photographer. A photographer is just a technician: everyone can press a button, even a monkey. Photography is just a tool that an artist happens to use to express their vision. To transform his inner chaos into defined finished creation. That hurts sometimes. Or sometimes it makes you feel so euphoric – like sex!

What else do you do besides photography?

I like to listen. Listen to myself, to people around, to the world, to the city, to nature. I observe. I take it in. Sometimes I dance like mad a tarantula. Occasionally I drown into the world of reading.

How do deadlines and contracts influence your creativity?

The question implies the answer and you are totally right – they do. Deadlines and contracts paralyze me. But I’m learning to accept it as part of my work. It’s inevitable. The sooner I integrate it into my character, the better.

What gets you ready for a photo shoot?

Stress. Nothing gets me more ready than stress. In the moment of panic, you really show to yourself who you are and what you are capable of. Our culture is so rapid that you can never be ready for anything. You just can learn to deal with unpleasant surprises better.

If you had your time over, would you do anything differently?

No, I wouldn’t. I have a tattoo that says – ‘Amor Fati.’ That means ‘love your fate’, because it’s all you have. I go with the flow. Of course, like everyone I carry guilt, sorrow and regrets with me. But it’s a part of who I am. And I am quite happy with who I am.

Neringa Rekasiute
Words: Julija Kaselyte

The post EMERGING… Neringa Rekasiute appeared first on Wonderland.

When and how did your artistic career begin?

I had to travel quite a long way to find what I was looking for, and my journey is still ongoing, but on a different level. At the beginning I was looking for my own voice in the world of art and now I want my voice to blossom. As far as I can remember, I’ve been always a creative child, but the real passion for art I discovered coming to Santa Barbara. There I felt free to combine the things that were important to me: skateboarding and art. I dedicated most of my time to searching for the best way to express myself. I was born in Lithuania and grew up in Germany, where I got introduced to skateboarding. From there I went to California to study art. In the back of my mind, I wanted to design skateboards but in the end my creative being took another direction – which eventually became my own personal language. I was positively overwhelmed with the greatness of the artists and art I got introduced to while in US. I discovered a whole new world of art coming from Lithuania where art has been quite invisible.

When and how did you discover skateboarding?

I’m absolutely fascinated with the idea of a skateboard – a wooden structure that [enables people] to fly or float in the air. If this wooden being is made with a lot of passion and dedication it becomes a masterpiece! Skateboarding is not only attractive but also addictive, in a good way. It definitely left an impression on me, it gave me a direction into the world of art.

What message does your work convey?

My work deals a lot with the skateboarding culture. It also includes my experience with people and situations outside the skateboarding world. It also deals with every day life, like friendships, habits (good or weird), strange and uncomfortable feelings. All of this is puzzled together in form of comic-like characters made out of recycled skateboards. I also wish my characters could tell every story in a happy manner, full of positive attitude no matter what.

Any exhibitions planned?

Several of them: in June my work will be part of a group show in Santa Barbara. Also, a solo show is coming up this autumn in Vienna and another group show in December in Zurich.

What are you working on at the moment?

Currently, I am finishing a piece called “Sumo-Chan”. It’s inspired by my Japanese friend Jin, who has been away from his own country for a while now. The pretty big and intricate piece represents culture, grace, commitment, dedication, friendship and the feeling of acceptance in a very playful way. “Sumo-Chan” is a superhero-like character, who gracefully rises above a multicultural city to keep and enjoy the peace.

Words: Julija Kaselyte

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