Giulia Essyad (CH)
is an artist, poet, performer, born in 1992. As a digital native born in a female body, Essyad’s practice concerns the representation of bodies, online and IRL, and engages with the varied forms of alienation that come with the consumption and production of body images. In 2018 she initiated a cycle of works titled «Blue Period», which is still ongoing. Locating uncharted spaces within the field of her interests, it uses the color blue as a focal point and signifier for otherness and artificiality. So far the works have included photoshopped portraits, ball-jointed dolls, various sculptures and a street performance. In 2020 she presents works from this corpus, as well as new writing.
“I shared a meme last week about being most scared of "morbidly obedient people". The absolute lack of drive to self-define is very alien to me.”
Giulia Essyad, Final Feel, courtesy of the artist
Giulia Essyad, Desire designed, courtesy of the artist
Giulia Essyad, Sacrifice, courtesy of the artist
Giulia Essyad, Brutally Born, courtesy of the artist
Giulia Essyad, Crippling Lucidity, courtesy of the artist
Giulia Essyad, You did this, courtesy of the artist
LOVE THE WORLD TODAY NOT IN A HUNDERD YEARS by Giulia Essyad
1. What work are you presenting?
GE: I will be reading new, unpublished poems, written between 2017 and now. Poetry to me is an elevated form of journaling: it helps me track my growth and keep a succinct archive of how my psyche evolves.
2. What is your personal approach to your art works?
GE: My urge to create originates in a deep fear of leaving things unsaid. Living would be tasteless to me if I didn't ceaselessly attempt to communicate with the world around me.
3. What is alien to you?
GE: I shared a meme last week about being most scared of "morbidly obedient people". The absolute lack of drive to self-define is very alien to me.
4. How do you change perspective?
GE: I ask myself what do I want, right now, and try to listen with an open mind and an open heart. I'm always surprised by my desires, and following them gets me to unexpected, but necessary places.
GE: I will be reading new, unpublished poems, written between 2017 and now. Poetry to me is an elevated form of journaling: it helps me track my growth and keep a succinct archive of how my psyche evolves.
2. What is your personal approach to your art works?
GE: My urge to create originates in a deep fear of leaving things unsaid. Living would be tasteless to me if I didn't ceaselessly attempt to communicate with the world around me.
3. What is alien to you?
GE: I shared a meme last week about being most scared of "morbidly obedient people". The absolute lack of drive to self-define is very alien to me.
4. How do you change perspective?
GE: I ask myself what do I want, right now, and try to listen with an open mind and an open heart. I'm always surprised by my desires, and following them gets me to unexpected, but necessary places.
Giulia Essyad, Untitled Drawing, 2018, ink on paper, courtesy of the artist