The Hero’s Journey of Ricardo O’ Nascimento

What is the best thing that I love about my work?

I love the possibility to surprise people with new possibilities and make them (re)think the way they see and experience the world. Being able to make people reflect and make conscious decisions is a great gift.

What is my idea of perfect happiness?

I don’t think the perfect happiness exist. The idea of a perfect happiness implies that it is a place that you conquer and stay there in a perfect state. I do not believe in that. I prefer to think that happiness is an ephemeral state. Something you should appreciate when you have it. Happiness is made of moments and being able to recognize those moments and enjoy them is what makes someone happy.

What is my greatest fear?

I am not a big fan of getting old. I would say my greatest fear is from death.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I tend to be very pragmatic under pressure and sometimes I ignore people’s needs that go beyond the task we are trying to accomplish. I have to be always alert of how I treat them. I am getting better, I hope.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

There are so many artists that I admire. In fashion, I would say Nick Cave is one of my biggest inspirations. In media art there is Christa Sommerer and Laurent Mignon, there are amazing and I consider them my mentors. Especially in fashion tech, there are so many amazing people that are hard to pick one. I am now in love with a French designer called Clara Daguin.

What is my greatest extravagance?

My within extravagance is to survive doing what I do. To have the freedom to do what I think it is right despite the art market. I never sold a single piece but I am still doing it.

On what occasion would I lie?

That is such a dificult question. I would prefer not put myself in a position where I have to lie.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

I dislike the most when the electronics start to misbehave with no apparent reason. When this happens I spend hours and days debugging to try to find the reason and sometimes I even do not find. I wish electronics were less temperamental.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

I loved when I finished my last sculpture “Never let me go” some months ago. I had a dear horn with me for years until this idea came into my mind and I finally used it. I liked the result very much.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I guess I would like to be more sociable sometimes. Sometimes I am too lazy.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

To me, the since achievement is when someone tells me I am an inspiration for them. I think very often on stopping everything and try something else but when someone comes to me and say that she knows my work and find it good I am very happy. This is the best achievement I could possibly get.

Where would I most like to live?

I like to live in cities. I am an urban person.

What is my most treasured possession?

The people I love.

What is my most marked characteristic?

People say that I am funny. I have a bit of trouble to agree with that.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

I love to go to the museum park and visit the boijmans museum or the Kunsthalle. Sometimes I go just to see one painting and leave. I like also to cross the Erasmus bridge by night.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

I like to eat burgers at “burger trut”. the best in town and they have lots of vegetarian options. To have a drink I like to have an artisanal beer at Fenix Food Factory, difficult view and cool people around.

What books influenced my life and how?

I was very impressed by ” Ensaio sobre a cegueira” by José Saramago. in this book, he explores how people can change their values and choices when under pressure. There was a film about it but I never saw. Another book that has an influence in my life because of my family is the bible.

Who are my favorite writers?

I like Jose Saramago, Fernando Pessoa, Oliver Sacks, Margaret Atwood, Rubem Fonseca, Cecilia Meireles and Paulo Coelho, just because everybody hates him.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

I would not listen to any song.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Saci Pererê

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

I have people that I admire for different reasons but no heroes.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

The matrix, I guess. There are so many but if I had to pick one should be this one. at least today it is.

What role plays art in my life and work?

Art plays a role in my life. That is my passion, my profession and how I relate myself with the world and with other people.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My mom and sister are always supporting me no matter what I decide to do. I own them a lot. My partner in life is also very supportive. I would say the family in general.

Whom would I like to work with in 2017?

Anouk Wipprecht. We are trying to work together since years and 2017 could be the right time.

Which people in my profession would I love to meet in 2017?

I would love to meet Nick Cave

What project, in 2017, am I looking forward to work on?

I am looking forward to working with my collective ELECTRONUDES in a new piece that will be super cool. This piece is all about love, empathy, and sex.

Where can you see me or my work in 2017?

08 and 09 June – wear it Berlin Festival http://www.wearit-berlin.com/ in Berlin, Germany.

Wear It Festival Berlin 2017 – wearables and fashiontech …
www.wearit-berlin.com
Wear It Festival is showing the potentials of wearables with focus on the development of new products, creation of visionary prototypes and most forward thinking …

28/ June til 02 July at Looking forward fashiontech exhibition at la gaite Lyrique in Paris, France.http://www.lookforwardproject.com/index_en.html#home
Look Forward : the startup incubator by showroomprive.com
www.lookforwardproject.com
Look Forward is a start-up incubator by showroomprive.com to support French innovations in fashion, distribution and consumption.

23 June Almere maker fair in Alkmaar, The Netherlands.
http://waah.nl/makersworld
MAKERSWORLD – WAAH!
waah.nl
Op 23 en 24 juni 2017 kan iedereen zich uitleven op het gebied van techniek, mode, interieur, ICT en duurzaamheid tijdens het WAAH Makers World dat gehouden wordt bij …

20 til 23 June at summer camp exhibition at Paillard Centre d’Art
in Les Moulins de Paillard, France. http://etextile-summercamp.org/
eTextile Summer Camp – Summer of etextiles
etextile-summercamp.org
Summer Fest . A public event that offers series of workshops, a panel discussion, artist presentations and performances . Read more »

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

I agree with this statement.

Which creative heroes should Peter invite to tell their story?

I would suggest Kasia Molga, an amazing artist, and person.

How can you contact me?
you can find me on Instagram: @ricardoonascimento and @popkalab
also at my personal portfolio www.onascimento.com or on my studio website and www.popkalab.com

es. I am an urban person.