Friday, May 6, 2011

The Interview as Art

http://www.flickr.com/photos/polymerclaybeads/
Ponsawan Sila

1. What was your first work of art and how old were you?
Must be when I was in 2nd Grade and attended a new school. We had Art class and I got 10/10 for my first drawing. I was thrilled.

2. What did you do for fun when you were a teenager?
Growing up in Boarding school, I spent most of my time with friends, lots of them, from morning till night. We slept in the same room - with 50 girls, so it was like having slumber party every night.

3. What and when was your first job?
We are not allowed to have a job while going to school. This is in Thailand. My first job was after graduating from college with a degree in Architecture. So I was an Architect.

4. What was your first work that really pleased you as an artist?
RAD 8-11-10, 186/365Because I love the drawing board, I love drafting and drawing all those buildings.


5. Who was the first artist to influence you?
My brother. He had a drawing on every page of his text book. I guess he must have gotten bored in class. He went on to get a Fine Art degree.

6. Who were your favorite movie stars growing up?
David Cassidy.

7. What were your favorite TV shows growing up?
Growing up in Thailand, who would have thought I watched the same TV shows as kids in the US. So, I watched everything; Gunsmoke, Leave it to Beaver, I love Lucy, to name a few. 

8. Has your work gone up in price compared to when you first started?
Not really. I am not famous yet.

TADA365-679. Where do you get your ideas?
Being an Architect, I was trained to be creative, to always come up with ideas and new concepts, and, of course, I borrowed the ideas from famous artist and designers from time to time.

10. Who do you think is the best business artist in the world?
Those who were dead and their works became desirable.

11. Do you think that there are any art movements now?
Not in the US, but the rest of the world where, unlike our government, their government supports the arts. Our US govenment keeps cutting funding for Arts and some schools had to cut Art programs. The future is not so bright here. With internet, the artist can share their ideas with the rest of the world. Art can be done on the computer, fast and acurate and in volume. The idea of "One of a Kind" is dying.

12. Do you think kids should get grants to decorate subways?
Of course, that would be wonderful.

13. Have you or anyone you know been involved in street art?
Nope.

14. Do you ever think about politics?
All the time. I worry about my kids' future. Young people should pay attention to Politics. I make sure my children vote for Democrats. LOL

15. What is your favorite color?
Red

16. Do you do all your own work, or do you have people working for you?
All on my own two hands and I have finger prints to prove it, too.

17. Do you have an interest in films or video?
Not really.
TADA365-54
18. What kind of toys do you have?
Give me a paper and pencil, I can play all day.

19. Do you have any habits you’d like to kick?
Thinking too much. No, I am perfect the way I am.


RAD 12-30-10, 364/365

20. What do you do when you’re not working?
I take care of my daughter.

21. Do you play any games?
Some easy games on iPad. 

22. How old were you when you got your driver’s license and is there a story attached to it?
Ah-ha. I got my driver's license when I was 30. Again, growing up I had no need to drive, we had a chauffeur. Later on my mom, my brother, my boyfriend drove me everywhere I wanted to go. After I decided to stay and live in the US, it became necessary to learn how to drive, so I did. I slid on Black ice and totaled the car within a week, then drove without license for a few years because I was an Illigal Alien and can't get a driver's license. And I failed the written test 3 times.

23. What time do you go to bed and what time do you get up (most of the time.)
Go to bed before midnight and up at 8. Not my choice, it's Ada's time. I would stay up all night if I could. It is nice and quiet and I can hear me think.

24. How much time do you spend on the computer?
All the time.

25. Do you watch TV, (if so, what are your favorites?)
Yes, tv is on all day. I like "Iron chef" but Ada prefers "Sponge Bob Square-pants."

26. What do you eat?
I will eat everything that doesn't move on my plate, but just became a vegetarian a few months ago. Love it.

27. Do you believe in flying saucers?
No, but won't rule that out.
TADA365-106
28. Do you believe in magic?
No, but won't rule that out either.

29. Do you think Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone?
No.

30. Do you look in the mirror when you get up?
Nope. We still haven't put up the mirror in Ada's bathroom. FYI, I sleep in her room. I don't really care much about how I look, it is the inside that shines through.

31. Do you think the world can be saved?
I think so, I hope so.

32. Do you think there should be censorship?
Yes, for the sake of young people who believe in everything they've seen and told and think that everything is real.
TADA365-02



9 comments:

  1. I love that David Cassidy was your favorite!!
    I don't know if I agree that one of a kind is dying... first look at your photostream!! and one of my favorite quotes is from The Unknown Craftsman -- "Mass produced work has its place, but it is missing something essential that is found in handcrafted work. An intimate expression of the spirit of its creator, the heartbeat. It allows for enthusiasm and play of nature, a chance to experiment and make mistakes and grow. Good work proceeding from the whole man, heart, head, and hand, in proper balance.. the relationship of truth to beauty -- the seeing eye." (Bernard Leach The Unknown Craftsman 95)

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  2. what a great interview! ur driving license story had me laughing and giggling..i think its a rare ability and a great one to be able to take the hard times with a tsp of humour. thankyou for sharing Ponsawan..says so much about your work..tho i'm nt sure i agree abt art movements nt being tr in US...gosh if anywhere...i dnt think India even has an art prog!! bt then everything dsnt need to come from the govt..and the Americans are great at creating opportunities where none exist : )

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  3. great quote Evelyn!

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  4. Great interview! Ponsawan I didn't know that you're an architect. That explains a lot, it must be a great educational background for a jewelry designer:-)

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  5. Thanks for the comments, guys. I am an Architect who had never designed a house and a Landscape Architect who had never designed any garden. I went to school for 8 years and all I can do best is being a mom. :)My yards looks horrible and Dandelion is my official flowers.
    Evelyn, I was asked to make a prototype of a jewelry that will be send to make in China and will be sold at the Museum store, I declined. Am I stupid or what? The idea of being able to make money might overcome the idea of "Handmade, one-of-a-kind" easily. I hope we don't have to make such decision soon.

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  6. You know if all you can do best is be a mom, well, then I think you have a good life, that is such an important thing that is soooo underrated. I think the one thing that came out of RAD was all the connections we made, the jewelry was good, the creativity was good, but I think all that was born out of our connections, it's what gives life to our work. And I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have made 365 rings without you all!

    Making a prototype, whether you should or shouldn't is something only you can decide. If you need the money, then it might be a good idea, but only if it feels right to you. These are hard decisions to make and I don't think that there is one easy right answer.

    Just keep doing what you're doing -- mom-wise and art-wise --it's very good!!

    Dandelions are pretty!! And you can eat them!

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  7. I loved reading about you, Pons! Sorry I didn't get a chance to comment until now, but I read it first thing when it was put up. You are an inspiration to me, always.

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  8. I am so happy to know about you and knowing how to be a mom in a best possible way is what makes you special and everything else is just a mere necessity or additional pleasure. I agree that one of a kind is not appreciated as much globally as it should but hey we are working on keeping alive unique way of artistic expressions. Big kiss to you and Ada!

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