Assignment # 6
Interview with a Creative Genius
Cyle Zezotarski
1. Do you think that creativity is part of human nature or is it something that must be nurtured and learned? Please explain your answer.
I think that it is a part of human nature that must be nurtured and developed. Most (if not all?) functioning human beings are, in some way, creative. The level of that creativity, however, probably depends on how much they have been encouraged and/or allowed to develop it.
2. What made you decide to follow a creative career choice (though possibly risky) rather than something more stable?
I'd rather do what interests me than what is "more stable." Not to mention, stability is monotonous.
3. What is your inspiration? How has personal experience influenced your creativity?
Everything is my inspiration, haha... Everything that happens or affects me, and thus influences and inspires me. I also like the unknown and the impossible.
4. What is your favorite creation? Please explain why you selected this one.
My favorite creation is always my in-progress creation. That's where my energy and attention goes, and is always what I'm most excited about. I also like the ideas--because they are awaiting creation. For these, the possibilities are endless!
5. What do you wish to accomplish with your art?
I like to find and create new pieces to fit into the puzzle that is the world. ;)
6. How do you know when a piece or project is finished and needs no additonal work?
I don't know if I've ever felt that way, yet.
7. Have you ever been faced with negative feedback? How was this reflected in your work, if at all?
I love negative feedback! Of course, if it's all negative, it gets a little disheartening, haha, but honest feedback, whether negative or positive, can help you to understand what you did right and what you did wrong (in the opinion of the person critiquing). With that information, one can always improve with the next project!
8. What impact do you think that commercialism and the media has had on your work? Is this good or bad?
This is a big question! Before the impact of commercialism and the media on my work can be measured, one would have to figure out what impact it has had on my life and personality as a whole. Anybody who claims the media hasn't influenced them at all is, basically, a lying sack of shit (haha, can I say that?). Still, I think that, however I've been influenced, I've taken that, twisted it around, and come up with something original and suitable to my personality. =)
9. Are you a fan of cartoons? If so, what is your favorite one?
Not really =/. I like Disney movies, though! Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King... AAHH!! I also think South Park is hilarious. What do you mean by cartoons, though? I don't even get the paper, haha.
10. What is playing in your CD player/Ipod right now?
Honestly? Nothing. It's off. Otherwise! I'd probably either be listening to Japanese artists (yep! haha), someone like Patrick Wolf, OneRepublic, Shiny Toy Guns, or something that my friend Kody left on there while he was visiting me (Imogen Heap, 8mm, etc).
11. If you had to be any of these things, which would you like to be?
a) a member of the opposite sex, b) a clock, c) a pair of shoes, d) a duck
Please explain your choice.A duck, because then I can float on water, remain an animate being, explore the polluted waters and skies, and not have a vagina.
12. If you only had 24 hours to live, how would you spend your day?
I'd take all my money and... go as far as I could on a plane ride or something. I'd want to at least see Asia before I died!! (I hate when people say "live every day like it's your last." If it were my last day, I'd blow everything I had saved! If I lived like that every day, though, I'd be screwed the next day)!
Here's a story told by Cyle's photographs:
Get to know Cyle and see more of his work at:
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Assignment # 6
Interview with a Creative Genius
Arturo Diaz-Juarez
1. Do you think that creativity is part of human nature or is it
something that must be nurtured and learned? Please explain your
answer.
I believe that like anything in life there has to be a initial
interest or spark that says learn to do this. I do believe that you
have to nurture that initial spark or that spark can no longer be.
School is what allowed my spark to grow, it was a place where
creativity was placed over any learning skill. Had it not been for
that education, my spark would have been put out at home.
2. What made you decide to follow a creative career choice (though
possibly risky) rather than something more stable?
No. Unfortunately. I have persued it however the career in art is
very difficult; you can go years without finding a job that suits your
style and passion. I am still looking for that dream job but the job i
have taken on is helping me in learning the tools to manage a team so
that when i open my own bussiness i don't mess it up too bad.
3. What is your inspiration? How has personal experience influenced your
creativity?
As much as i hate the cliche of love, its my inspiration. Whether it
be the lovey dovey kind or the heart wrenching one sided love. All
art that has passion derives from a love of sorts. A collection is
usually an obsession, and what is an obsession but a twisted form of
love.
4. What is your favorite creation? Please explain why you selected this one.
I would have to choose the poster for "The Vagina Monologues" 2006 @
Cal State Northridge. I selected this one 'cause it was a full artistic
process from creating a logo for this year's that could stand alone and
be used in all aspects of the play, to a photo shoot with four
beautiful young women to demonstrate the vast emotions that the play
has and to show that violence does not discriminate; it will and can
happen to anyone. This poster is one of my biggest achievements. It
was the first year that the production had advertisement that
attracted people and called attention. I heard people talking about it
in classes and in public areas. It was also the first year we sold
out! The production staff said that the ads and postcards had
everything to do with that!
5. What do you wish to accomplish with your art?
I don't wish to accomplish anything.. I wish to just do. I could care
less if i make a name and i am put in a history book. Just wanting to
be creative is enough. Creating for people that can't express
themselves is a hard thing but very gratifying at the same time.
6. How do you know when a piece or project is finished and needs no additonal work?
You're never done with a piece, you can always go back and add to it.
However, i have said this since high school, "You know a piece is done
when your fucking sick of looking at it." Come back to it in a few
years and see the difference in your personal growth and see if that
piece represnts you today, if it doesnt then make it.
7. Have you ever been faced with negative feedback? How was this
reflected in your work, if at all?
Yes. I was told that a lot of my art work is risque. Only 'cause it has
in the past included nude male figures. Society is sill not ready to
accept male nudes in art, much less two nude males. Sexuality is a
large part of my style and people have given feedback that its
something not appropriate. To that i have said it's not changing thats
my style.
8. What impact do you think that commercialism and the media has had on your work? Is this good or bad?
I have a fully commercial style to my work. It isn't underground, or
rough. I dont think that commercialism is bad. Artists have this self
fulfilling prophecy to be great, but only to be recognized once dead.
It would be a horrible thing for an artist to make money off their
work today, they would be a sell out. But once dead, let it be on
coffee mugs and tee shirts.
9. Are you a fan of cartoons? If so, what is your favorite one?
Oh god yes... i would have to say X-Men. It was the ultimate cartoon.
I think i started off drawing cartoon characters, starting with the
ninja turtles.
10. What is playing in your CD player/Ipod right now?
Jon Mclaughin- Indiana- For You From Me.
11. If you had to be any of these things, which would you like to be?
a) a member of the opposite sex, b) a clock, c) a pair of shoes, d) a duck
Please explain your choice.
A clock, because even if i were broken people would still keep me
around. People find comfort in the things they own. I would probably
been around for generations,(like you havent seen them on antique
road show), lol.
12. If you only had 24 hours to live, how would you spend your day?
I would live it like just another day. I would try to see every friend
possible to spend a bit of time in bliss with each one. Every single
of my friends has this ability to make me smile and laugh without
trying, to bring me to this bliss that makes me feel like i am at the
best i will ever be!
Some of Arturo's artwork can be found here: