Krišs Salmanis
media artist from Latvia
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biography
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Interview: 10 questions
1. Tell me something about your life and the educational background
Born in Riga, I still live and work there. My formal education
includes establishments as diverse as an English public school, a christian
academy and the Art Academy of Latvia. Combined with an extensive list of exhibitions this points out a rather strong and infuriating trait of mine,
namely, diligence. I try to drown it in animation and other things time-consuming and niggling.

2. When, how and why started you filming?
The moving image for me is just a means of fixing ideas. I do not remember how and when I get them, subsequently I don’t remember when the first time was.

3. What kind of subjects have your films?
My work deals with the absurdities of being.

4. How do you develop your films, do you follow certain principles, styles etc?
My basic artistic method is rondo. Be it video, animation or objects, the loop is present either as a form of composition or a mental device.
In this scheme, only details make a difference. Thus my work focuses on the trivial themes of everyday. Walking down the street, boiling a vegetable, having a shower – all takes on a new dimension when attempted the animated way. Even the simplest of actions like checking the time can acquire ritualistic qualities, and sweeping the floor becomes somewhat Nietzschean in nature, if you are a piece of plasticine on a scanner.

5. Tell me something about the technical equipment you use.
Anything from a digital compact camera to 35 mm film, from a good pencil to bad breath if necessary.

6. What are the chances of new media for the genre film/video in general
and you personally?
I still have not answered this question for myself. On the one hand, technology allows me to do complicated stuff faster, thus saving time. (Saving from what?)
On the other hand, it is exactly the existence of these technologies that invites me to waste months on end on projects I would not have otherwise attempted.

7. How do you finance your films?
I work hard.

8. Do you work individually as a video artist/film maker or do you work in a team?
if you have experience in both, what is the difference, what do you prefer?
I have hired film crews for specific projects, but I prefer working alone. Bossing around is not my forte.

9. Who or what has a lasting influence on your film/video making?
Absurd ideas which I have not killed in time.

10. What are your future plans or dreams as a film/video maker?
I am not a film maker but I do dream about actresses.


Can works of yours viewed online besides on VideoChannel? Where?
List some links & resources