AS IS | Šimon Kučera

Artist

From Bratislava, Slovakia

Based in Bratislava and Prague, Czechia

Šimon Kučera is an emerging talent from Slovakia who mostly creates paintings, occasionally graphics, and sculpture. The common tongue of all his works is a geometric abstraction; in his works, he examines the properties and effects of composition, color, and form, and he's also interested in the optical illusion.

A: Please, tell us a bit more about yourself. What brought you to art?

Š: My name is Šimon Kučera and I am a member of the emerging generation of geometric painters, who have little representation in Slovakia at the moment. I am concerned with the analysis of basic means of expression, such as light, color, form, or optical illusion.

The latter part of your question is a little more difficult to answer since I've been making art since I was a child, though the key moments came during my time at the secondary art school and later at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava where I studied under professor Ivan Csudai.

A: What inspires you the most?

Š: I draw inspiration dominantly in the virtual space, which has become an integral part of ourselves. My greatest matter of interest is the aesthetic element and the complexity of the virtual space which I combine with the visuals found in nature. Other sources of inspiration are light, color, and form.

A: Do you have any specific rituals while working (creating)?

Š: Until recently, I had tried to avoid any sort of work routine. However, I eventually realized that it's precisely consistency that is essential for the work process. I don't always manage to, but I do try to reach the goals that I've set for myself beforehand. And while working at my studio, good music or a podcast is a necessity.

A: What would you recommend to someone new to art (an artist or just an admirer), what to begin with?

Š: I'd recommend each artist-beginner first and foremost to work hard, explore, and try. It is thanks to these factors they'll be able to discover their own style. Furthermore, patience is essential, and that leads us to humility. That, I believe, is one of the most paramount qualities of an artist.

A: Your top 3 words or phrases related to art?

Š: Technique, inovation, uniqueness.

A: Your favorite Czech artists?

Š: The Czech Republic has countless exceptional artists, which is why it's so difficult to choose just one name. But I'd definitely like to mention such names as Jan Kaláb, Ladislav Sutnar, Bohumil Kubišta, and Vladislav Mirvald.

A: What piece of art do you think embodies the Czech national spirit and culture? Why?

Š: Similar answer as the previous one. There's a great number of works like that. If I really had to choose, I'd say David Černý's sculptures.

A: How do you like to connect with others through art?

Š: Conversations about art are very complex and in some cases, even difficult. The difficulty of such conversation is mostly defined by the other person - if the person standing in front of you is privy to the industry, the conversation is usually more pleasant and flows more naturally. On the other hand, it's also necessary to have those conversations with people who don't understand contemporary art or even consider it unimportant. This is why I consider those conversations a challenge and a bit of a mission for us artists.

A: Where can we meet you?

Š: I spend most of my time in my studio in Bratislava, Slovakia, though I am active in art in Czechia as well, where I travel often. The most with my colleagues and good friends - Ondrash and Radim Kašpárek in Černošice (near Prague), with whom I always create some unique pieces.

A: Is there any quote or idea that has guided you in your work and/or life?

Š: I don't have a specific motto or a quote, but I do have a sort of an attitude where I'm always striving to move forward and grow, whether as a person or an artist. I believe stagnation and laziness to be the scourge of the creative mind.

Thank you!

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