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Featured Artist Interview - Bartek
BY
Bartek Bojaczuk
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Coming from TomaszÛw Mazowiecki, the third largest centralized city in Poland, Bartek Borjarczuk is into sports like skateboarding, snowboarding, street and surf fashion like quiksilver and billabong, and being muscially influenced by rap and hiphop; and it is from these and his own unique way of living, that spurs his creative talent, which have led to creations in typography, textile design and photography.
Having a chat with Bartek would reveal a humble and down to earth sort of guy, who is ready to take on whatever comes his way, while pursuing his IT studies in University of Wroclaw.
TAXI>>Hi Bartek! Glad to have you with us. Your portfolio of works portray a range of works that span over categories such as apparel design, graphic design as well as photography. How would you describe your personal style designing and photographing?
Bartek>>First of all, thank you for inviting me to the front seat. When I think about my personal style as a designer, I would say that maybe it would be something like this; grab a cauldron, put inside some huge ambitions, some freedom, some CMYK and pantone, and last but not least, my culture as a citizen from a small town, which I am.
For dessert I will serve my favorite quotation that perfectly describes what you are asking – ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge’ (A.Einstein). Et Voila! Here is me and my style.
In photography there is something different. I am always trying to find something new. If you look inside my photo works, you can see specific colours, much different from my designs.
TAXI>>Your graphic designs showcase a cheerful range of colours, whereas, your photograhy has subdued colours in them. What are the reasons for the difference?
Bartek>>First of all, colours are very important to me. Using them in a proper way can express what the work has to say.
Especially in textile designs, colours should be strong. When you will look at the streets, you will spot a lot of people dressed in black, white and grey.
Of course I have nothing against black, white and grey. I use them in other palettes, but these are not the only colours that will fit.
By using strong yellows, light blues, violets, greens etc, I am trying to convince one to try something new that can be much better.
People should be happy in what they wear, clothes should give them self confidence, comfort and a smile on their faces. And in short, this is what I am trying to achieve.
This is the important part. Everyone has a light and dark side to ones' personality. I am not an exception.
Designing stuff is my light side, photography is the opposite. I love to play with lights, maybe because I also love the works of the Dutch Prince of Brush And Light – Rembrandt.
His paintings has always influenced me deeply. So this is probably the main reason why my designs and photography are totally different in colour and style.
TAXI>>The collection of photography work titled, "Wistom Session", is intriguing and seems to explore themes of loneliness and existential ennui. What was the story behind this collection of photography work?
Bartek>>Wistom was a textile and fiber factory. In the 1990’s it was one of the biggest synthetic fiber manufacturers in the Eastern Europe.
Today it is completely ruined. Many people lost their jobs, and stayed with nothing. I feel this is a very sad story of what happened to this place, my dad used to work there as well. When I was doing this session, walking through the halls, chemistry labs and chimneys,
I saw people working there in 1990’s, laughing, talking about evening plans with their wives and children. And just like that, here I am today at the ashes of these times.
TAXI>>Having worked with various clients on designing graphics for apparel, any plans on launching your own fashion label?
Bartek>>Actually, I have thought about it. I am still very young and must learn a lot of things before I can run my own fashion company, but it is real.
Maybe an existing company someday will knock on my door and ask me to do a special ‘Bartek Bojaczuk / illcatDZN’ collection. I would love to do something like that.
A designer’s collection with absolute freedom in creating whatever I want. Sometimes you want to do something different, something tough and expensive in production and you can't, due to limitations.
Working on my own would give me this freedom, so one day I will decide to put something on the shop shelves.
TAXI>>It is common to have creative blocks, so how did you come up with inspiration for your works?
Bartek>> It is hard to tell exactly where my inspirations come from. It is something that is inside my brain 24/7.
To get it out, I usually use loud music, some good movies and magazines. Sometimes I get up in the morning and I just know what to do.
I also like to check out the websites of other designers, to know what they are doing right now and it is also very motivating, because almost everybody is going forward, and so I must improve myself all the time.
When I start to design a new type project, I usually try to visualize it before I will draw it. Sometimes this is very hard, as you have said– mental blocks.
Yes, we all get it sometimes. But when it happens I am not worried. I know that in couple of days, I will be back to work with new energy and passion.
I do not know what else to say. Sizes? Line lengths? I just know how it should work. Maybe this is a gift? (Laughs).
TAXI>>Do you prefer working with graphics or typography? And, why?
Bartek>>In my opinion, the complete design should include both, purely graphic and some typography. Type can be only a bonus to the whole work and it can be really small but it should be out there somewhere.
The explanation is very simple. Freedom is when you can do whatever you want and when I start to design a new project, I never know what style and method will I use, so if I cannot use typography in my designs when I want to, I cannot call that freedom. Right? J
TAXI>>Having developed your own unique style of photography, retouching techniques, as well as apparel designing, what else would you like to try next? Have you ever considered fashion photography?
Bartek>>Of course! This is one of my goals, to try this kind of photography. I never did it before and I like doing totally new things.
I have not managed to get a chance yet, but I have some cool ideas how to photograph fashion in a different way and I will try to make this happen soon. Photography is like my hobby and designing is my job.
Right now, I’m quite busy with work and do not have much time for taking pictures, but as soon as I will finish some big projects there will be a great moment to make my ideas happen. It is next on my ‘to do’ list.
TAXI>>Meanwhile, I'm sure everyone would love to see your current working space. How about showing it to us?
Bartek>>
TAXI>>Okay, before we end, where would you like a TAXI to take you to now?
Bartek>>There are a lot of places where I have not been and want to go. Please drop me somewhere in space so I can close my eyes and fly away.
© 2003 - 2009 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.
Having a chat with Bartek would reveal a humble and down to earth sort of guy, who is ready to take on whatever comes his way, while pursuing his IT studies in University of Wroclaw.
TAXI>>Hi Bartek! Glad to have you with us. Your portfolio of works portray a range of works that span over categories such as apparel design, graphic design as well as photography. How would you describe your personal style designing and photographing?
Bartek>>First of all, thank you for inviting me to the front seat. When I think about my personal style as a designer, I would say that maybe it would be something like this; grab a cauldron, put inside some huge ambitions, some freedom, some CMYK and pantone, and last but not least, my culture as a citizen from a small town, which I am.
For dessert I will serve my favorite quotation that perfectly describes what you are asking – ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge’ (A.Einstein). Et Voila! Here is me and my style.
In photography there is something different. I am always trying to find something new. If you look inside my photo works, you can see specific colours, much different from my designs.
TAXI>>Your graphic designs showcase a cheerful range of colours, whereas, your photograhy has subdued colours in them. What are the reasons for the difference?
Bartek>>First of all, colours are very important to me. Using them in a proper way can express what the work has to say.
Especially in textile designs, colours should be strong. When you will look at the streets, you will spot a lot of people dressed in black, white and grey.
Of course I have nothing against black, white and grey. I use them in other palettes, but these are not the only colours that will fit.
By using strong yellows, light blues, violets, greens etc, I am trying to convince one to try something new that can be much better.
People should be happy in what they wear, clothes should give them self confidence, comfort and a smile on their faces. And in short, this is what I am trying to achieve.
This is the important part. Everyone has a light and dark side to ones' personality. I am not an exception.
Designing stuff is my light side, photography is the opposite. I love to play with lights, maybe because I also love the works of the Dutch Prince of Brush And Light – Rembrandt.
His paintings has always influenced me deeply. So this is probably the main reason why my designs and photography are totally different in colour and style.
TAXI>>The collection of photography work titled, "Wistom Session", is intriguing and seems to explore themes of loneliness and existential ennui. What was the story behind this collection of photography work?
Bartek>>Wistom was a textile and fiber factory. In the 1990’s it was one of the biggest synthetic fiber manufacturers in the Eastern Europe.
Today it is completely ruined. Many people lost their jobs, and stayed with nothing. I feel this is a very sad story of what happened to this place, my dad used to work there as well. When I was doing this session, walking through the halls, chemistry labs and chimneys,
I saw people working there in 1990’s, laughing, talking about evening plans with their wives and children. And just like that, here I am today at the ashes of these times.
TAXI>>Having worked with various clients on designing graphics for apparel, any plans on launching your own fashion label?
Bartek>>Actually, I have thought about it. I am still very young and must learn a lot of things before I can run my own fashion company, but it is real.
Maybe an existing company someday will knock on my door and ask me to do a special ‘Bartek Bojaczuk / illcatDZN’ collection. I would love to do something like that.
A designer’s collection with absolute freedom in creating whatever I want. Sometimes you want to do something different, something tough and expensive in production and you can't, due to limitations.
Working on my own would give me this freedom, so one day I will decide to put something on the shop shelves.
TAXI>>It is common to have creative blocks, so how did you come up with inspiration for your works?
Bartek>> It is hard to tell exactly where my inspirations come from. It is something that is inside my brain 24/7.
To get it out, I usually use loud music, some good movies and magazines. Sometimes I get up in the morning and I just know what to do.
I also like to check out the websites of other designers, to know what they are doing right now and it is also very motivating, because almost everybody is going forward, and so I must improve myself all the time.
When I start to design a new type project, I usually try to visualize it before I will draw it. Sometimes this is very hard, as you have said– mental blocks.
Yes, we all get it sometimes. But when it happens I am not worried. I know that in couple of days, I will be back to work with new energy and passion.
I do not know what else to say. Sizes? Line lengths? I just know how it should work. Maybe this is a gift? (Laughs).
TAXI>>Do you prefer working with graphics or typography? And, why?
Bartek>>In my opinion, the complete design should include both, purely graphic and some typography. Type can be only a bonus to the whole work and it can be really small but it should be out there somewhere.
The explanation is very simple. Freedom is when you can do whatever you want and when I start to design a new project, I never know what style and method will I use, so if I cannot use typography in my designs when I want to, I cannot call that freedom. Right? J
TAXI>>Having developed your own unique style of photography, retouching techniques, as well as apparel designing, what else would you like to try next? Have you ever considered fashion photography?
Bartek>>Of course! This is one of my goals, to try this kind of photography. I never did it before and I like doing totally new things.
I have not managed to get a chance yet, but I have some cool ideas how to photograph fashion in a different way and I will try to make this happen soon. Photography is like my hobby and designing is my job.
Right now, I’m quite busy with work and do not have much time for taking pictures, but as soon as I will finish some big projects there will be a great moment to make my ideas happen. It is next on my ‘to do’ list.
TAXI>>Meanwhile, I'm sure everyone would love to see your current working space. How about showing it to us?
Bartek>>
TAXI>>Okay, before we end, where would you like a TAXI to take you to now?
Bartek>>There are a lot of places where I have not been and want to go. Please drop me somewhere in space so I can close my eyes and fly away.
© 2003 - 2009 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.