Just stumbled upon ColdplayCorner on her interview and I thought maybe Coldplaying could do the same too..?

 

http://www.coldplaycorner.com/news-interview-mila-furstova.html

 

We interviewed Mila Furstova as part of its collaboration and its role in the creation and making of the universe and artwork of the album Ghost Stories.

 

Hi Mila, thank you for agreeing to answer our questions.

- First of all, can you introduce yourself. When did you start to create and draw? What was the trigger of your career?

I grew up in Czechoslovakia and it definitely had an impact on my art. Any travel outside the Communist bloc was virtually banned. That is what I think that made the introverted attitude of my country. This is of course a terrible violation of freedom for the generation of my parents and grandparents, but I was very lucky that my family has given me a loving childhood. I was not aware of the political system that was in power and even injustices that my family was facing.

In a political system where people feel a lack of freedom, imagination, tradition and storytelling become more important and I think that the exploration of the inner world rather than the outside world has made me a kind of dreamy and artist I am now.

Engraving is an extraordinary and beautiful technique that is overlooked in contemporary art. This helps to meditate, it can be unpredictable and requires a level of humility to understand ... just like everything that is worth to be understood

- Can you describe your universe? Where did the inspiration?

When I first started studying art, I've always worked very hard to get inspiration and my own language. At first I felt I could not do it, but I continued to work for the art was what I loved to do. One day, someone in the UK told me that he had visited the Czech Republic where I come from and could see that my work is "pretty Czech." Whether true or not, it made me realize that when you are an artist, you find your language if you continue to work with passion and honesty.

During my career there were times when I struggled to find inspiration for new work, but now I'm just trying to keep my eyes open and collect visual material that attracts me, even if I do not know why. All I can find out why later ... sometimes years later.

 

- How long have you been working with Coldplay? How have you found working with them?

I was introduced to the group by the fifth member Phil Harvey, who was already familiar with my work after he discovered by chance in London.

This particular project took nearly two years and was the most fantastic and inspiring collaboration I've ever done.

 

- What is your relationship with the band?

There are certainly more than just memories that stand out when you talk about Ghost Stories.

And Phil is an extremely important person in the group, he is the visionary artistic director and a great thinker and also the nicest men you could imagine. I think Chris Martin once said that everyone needs a Phil in his life.

I always knew that Coldplay were talented musicians but meeting them in person has surpassed anything I imagined.

 

-Avaient They a clear idea of ​​what they wanted or were you free to interpret things your way and made it their choice then?

Initially, I worked on Ghost Stories with Phil, we talked in detail about different directions. Then I met Chris and he told me what his vision for the album.

To be honest, at first I struggled to draw anything that might seem fair. We all realized that we just had to know how to think of everyone. Phil made sure that many of my works are displayed in the recording studios in London Coldplay, like that group members had the time to look and choose the aspects they liked.

In short, because it's a long story, Chris was very attracted to my work Blue Dream III and wings that I had drawn on it. It was he who saw that if the wings are repositioning can be seen as a broken heart. And it was the most decisive moment of the whole story.

 

- What method did you use to create these works? How you immergiez you in this world?

I created all the works of Ghost Stories with the concept of etching etching.

Engraving with etching technique is beautiful and extraordinary which is rather neglected in contemporary art. It allows the expression of meditative thinking, which can be quite unpredictable and requires a certain level of humility to understand ... just like anything worth being understood.

Engraving with etching is an ancient technique, first developed in the 15th century. When I realized a print I'm working on a zinc plate that I heat before covering with a thin layer of wax is specially equipped. Once the plate temperature has dropped, I smoke layer using wax candles to obtain a black surface. When this is done, the plate is ready for drawing. I draw it by gently scraping the blackened wax with a needle thin, exposing the silver plate underneath.

All the lines are drawn and then etched by submerging the entire plate in a hot acid solution.

Once the plate is etched, I withdraw the acid I and cleans the wax with white spirit.

At this point, I take the plate and I press different colored inks in the etched lines and smooth the surface with fabric to achieve the tone I want. Finally, I put the plate in an etching press and I cover it with damp paper after it has passed in a print is made ... and that's what the etching etching.

 

- The group was demanding it with you? Does it represented a kind of challenge for you?

The group gave me access to all the songs on the new album which were then held in the utmost secrecy and Chris told me he was concerned that I have complete freedom in what I drew.

Only a true artist can give it because they know that to make real art there must have complete honesty, the artist must feel deeply what they say. It was a very nice gesture because I felt that they had opened a door for me about themselves.

From that day, I listened Ghost Stories every day and I fell in love with the music and lyrics and so I just let the images arise on my plate engraving. I did not make a sketch ... I just drew what I felt to be right.

 

- The next exhibition Album Artists (where you can view and purchase the works of Ghost Stories for the benefit of Kids Company ) held in December, can you tell us about the preparations.

Yes, we are preparing a comprehensive exhibition of my work on Ghost Stories.

After drawing the wings for the album cover, I also made prints for three singles. There are a lot of sketches for this and many different versions of the prints themselves. With this exhibition we will expose publicly for the first time this has been kept secret for two years working on this project.

The exhibition will open on December 3 and the group plans to attend. It will then be open to the public from December 4 to 7. It is organized by Album Artists whose director Fraser Kee Scott was the first person to have arranged a meeting between Coldplay and myself and that was my agent on this project.

All works will be for sale and Coldplay and I decided that the revenues should go to a work they support: Kids Company. If any of your readers are interested in seeing the exhibition (or buy), just contact Fraser by email at:[email protected] .

 

- Can you tell us about your involvement with Kids Company , since when do you support this cause?

I have often given my work to raise funds for charity and somehow charities that help children are dear to my heart.

I firmly believe that every child deserves to be loved and Kids Company helps to show children how much they matter and are important.

 

- What is your favorite part of this collaboration with Coldplay?

My favorite moment was just before the final concert of the tour Ghost Stories where the group invited me to their "hug" before concert. We all embraced and Chris said how grateful he was to have met such an inspiring artist than me and thanked me for all that I had created for the album. I was very touched and honored by this experience.

 

- Were you a fan of Coldplay before this collaboration? Did you become one?

I have always felt very close to what people say Coldplay in their music, they have always resonated with me.

But now ... I think I have to say they are almost a part of me. I've never worked so closely with someone before. I let go completely in my art and they did the same thing with me. It was a beautiful work of faith, poetry and humanity.

 

- What is your favorite song Ghost Stories?

They change depending on where I am in my thoughts ... "A Sky Full Of Stars" is that I feel as if I had always known ... and the last "O" ... about the flock of birds ... is so sublime and true it looks like a prayer that touches me very deeply.

 

- Have you had the opportunity to attend a concert tour Ghost Stories? Was it your first Coldplay concert?

The group invited me to their concert in July at the Royal Albert Hall. Everything was like a dream. Their performance was breathtaking and they projected my art on the ceiling of the room. I could not believe it was actually happening, especially as the Royal Albert Hall is where I got my degree from the Royal College of Art for many years before ... if you m 'had told then what would happen, I would have said you're crazy!

I AM giving myself permission to have a very big cry. That article speaks to me on so many levels. Thank you for sharing. So many beautiful elements. For today it reminds me there has to be a God and to never lose that hope

PS- it is just so sweet how it says "everybody needs a Phil in their life". He must be a very inspiring man. They all must be. Love and Blessings to you all xo

ColdplayCorner.com interview with Mila Fürstová

 

We interviewed Mila Fürstová as part of her collaboration and her role in the creation and making of the universe and artwork of the album Ghost Stories.

 

Hello Mila, thank you for having accepted to answer our questions.

-First, can you present yourself? When did you start drawing and creating? What was the triggering factor to your career?

I grew up in Czechoslovakia and it definitely impacted my art. All travel outside the communist block was practically forbidden. This I think made the whole mentality of my country very introverted. This is of course a terrible breach of freedom for generation of my parents and grandparents; however I was very lucky that my family has given me a childhood full of love. I wasn’t aware of what political system was ruling and even of the injustices that my family were facing themselves.

In a political system where people experience a lack of freedom, imagination, tradition and storytelling become even more important and I feel that the exploration of the inner world rather than the world outside has made me a kind of a dreamer and the artist that I am now.

Etching is an extraordinary and beautiful technique that is neglected in contemporary art. It allows for meditative thought, it can be unpredictable and requires a level of humility to understand it….. just like anything that is worth understanding.

 

-Can you describe your universe? Where does all this inspiration come from?

When I started studying art, I always worked very hard searching for inspiration and for my own language. At the begging it felt like I couldn’t do it, but I just kept working because art was what I loved doing. One day, someone in Britain told me that they visited Czech Republic where I come from and they could see that my work is « quite Czech ». Whether it is true or not, this made me realize that when you are an artist, your language actually finds you if you just keep working with honesty and passion.

Through my career there have been times when I would struggle to find inspiration for new works, but now I just try to always keep my eyes open and collect visual material which attracts me, even if I don’t know the reason for it. I may just discover the reason later…sometimes years later.

 

- For how long have you been working with Coldplay? How have you found yourself working with them?

I was brought to the group by their 5th member Phil Harvey who was already familiar with my work after he discovered it by chance in London.

This particular project has taken almost two years and has been the most fantastic and inspiring cooperation that I have ever experienced.

 

- What kind of relations did you have with the band?

There is definitely more than memories popping out when you mention Ghost Stories.

And Phil he is an extremely important member of the group, he is the visionary art director a great thinker and also the kindest man that you can imagine. I think Chris Martin once said that everyone needs a Phil in their life.

I always knew that Coldplay are extremely talented and unique musicians but meeting them in person had superseded any of my expectations.

 

- Did they have a clear idea about what they wanted or were you free to interpret things your way and they would do a choice then?

Initially, I worked on the brief for Ghost Stories with Phil; we talked in great detail about various directions. Then I met with Chris who told me what his vision for the album cover was.

To be honest, at the beginning I struggled to draw anything that would feel right. We all realized that we are just going to have to know each other's way of thinking. Phil organized for a large number of my artworks to be displayed in Coldplay London recording studio, so the band members had time to look at it and choose aspects of it they liked.

To cut a very long story short, Chris was very drawn to my work Blue Dream III and the wings that I have drawn there. It was him who saw that if the wings are repositioned they can read as a broken heart. And that was the most decisive moment in this whole commission.

 

 

- What method have you used to create these artworks? How were you immerging yourself into this world?

I have created all the artworks for Ghost Stories in the process of etching.

Etching is an extraordinary and beautiful technique that is neglected in contemporary art. It allows for meditative thought, it can be unpredictable and requires a level of humility to understand it...just like anything that is worth understanding.

Etching is an ancient technique, first developed in 15th century. When making an etching, I work on a zinc plate which I heat up and cover with a thin layer of a special wax called etching ground. Once the plate has cooled down, I smoke the wax layer with a candle in order to achieve a black surface. When this is done, the plate is ready for drawing. I draw onto it with a thin needle gently scratching away the layer of the blackened wax exposing the silver plate underneath.

All lines drawn in this way are later etched when I submerge the entire plate into a bath of acid solution.

Once the plate has been etched, I remove it from the acid and wash off the wax with white spirits.

At this stage, I take the plate and push different coloured inks into the etched lines and smooth the surface with cloth to achieve the tonality I want. Finally, I put the plate onto an etching press and cover it with damp paper, after rolling it through an impression is taken...and that is what etching is.

 

- Was the band demanding with you? Was it kind of a challenge for you?

The band gave me access to all the songs on the new album that were held in such strict privacy and Chris told me that he wants me to have an absolute freedom in what I draw in them.

Only a true artist can allow this because they know that to make real art there has to be total honesty, the artist have to feel deeply what they are saying. This was a beautiful gesture as I felt they have allowed me inside them.

From that day, I listened to Ghost Stories every day and I was falling in love with the music and the lyrics and I just allowed the imagery to flow straight onto my etching plate. No prior sketching...I just drew what felt right.

 

 

- The next Album Artist's exhibition (where we can see and buy Ghost Stories art in favour of Kids Company) takes place in December, can you tell us about the preparation.

Yes we are preparing an overall show of my works for the Coldplay Ghost Stories. After I drew the wings for the album cover, I also made etchings for three singles. There are a lot of sketches for those and many different versions of the etchings themselves. In this show we will exhibit publicly for the first time what had to be kept secret during the 2 years of working on this project.

The show will open on 3d of December and the band is planning to be there. It will then be opened to public between 4th and 7th of December. The show is organised by Album Artist whose director Fraser Kee Scott is the person who first organised the meeting between Coldplay and myself and who has been my agent through this project.

All artworks will be for sales and Coldplay and myself have decided that the proceeds should go to their charity Kids Company. If any of your readers are interested in seeing the show, please just contact Fraser at www.albumartists.co.uk/.

 

- Can you talk about your involvement with Kids Company, for how long have you been supporting this charity?

I have often given my work to raise money for charity and somehow charities that help children are very close to my heart. I feel strongly that every child deserves to be loved and the Kids Company is helping to show children how much they matter.

- What is your best memory from this collaboration?

My favourite moment was when just before the final concert of the Ghost Stories tour the band has invited me into their pre-show huddle. We all held each other and Chris had said how grateful they are that they met such inspirational artist as me and thank me for all the art I created for the album. I was so touched and humbled by this experience.

 

- Were you a fan of Coldplay before this collaboration? Did you become one?

I have always felt really close to what Coldplay are saying in in their music, they have always resonated with me.

But now...I think I would have to say they are almost a part of me. I have never worked so closely with anyone before. I allowed them totally inside my art and they did the same for me. I was a beautiful work of trust, poetry and humanity.

 

- What is your favourite song from Ghost Stories?

They change depending where I am in my thoughts. "A Sky Full of Stars" is the one that I feel I have always known...and the last one "o"...about the flock of birds...is so sublime and true that it feels like a prayer and touches me on a deepest level.

 

- Did you have the chance to attend a concert on the little Ghost Stories's tour? Was it your first Coldplay concert?

The band invited me to their July concert at the Royal Albert Hall. It was whole like a dream. Their performance was just breath-taking and they were projecting my artwork on to the ceiling of the hall. I just could not believe that this was really happening, especially as the Royal Albert Hall was a place where my graduation from the Royal College of Art took place years before.....if you were to tell me then what was to happen, I would tell you that you are crazy :)!

 

[video=youtube;Xjm_dogeBw4]

Thank you for your answers. Good luck for the future and we wish you a lot of success.

------------------------------

You can read the interview on our website (coldplaycorner.com)

French > http://j.mp/itw-mila | English > http://j.mp/itw-mila-eng

I created this thread a few hours ago by the way :)

I created this thread a few hours ago by the way :)

 

Ha, but it's our interview so i posted the original questions/replies.. ;)

Ha, but it's our interview so i posted the original questions/replies.. ;)

 

Ah didnt figure out about that sorry! Are you the owner of ColdplayCorner?

Ah didnt figure out about that sorry! Are you the owner of ColdplayCorner?

 

The Head of communications, not the owner we are a team on it so...

And i am the person who interviewed mila. ;)

Perfect interview, great job!

 

If any of your readers are interested in seeing the show, please just contact Fraser at[email protected].

 

Is that part referring to the 3rd Dec non public show or just information for when it opens to the public from the 4th?

Perfect interview, great job!

 

 

 

Is that part referring to the 3rd Dec non public show or just information for when it opens to the public from the 4th?

 

It's for the 4th Sparky, and thank you.

I met Mila last week at the exhibition, she was very nice :) She talked about her favorite artwork and explained a bit about how she created the ASFOS cover. It was a very nice pleasure to meet her ;)

great interview

I am so proud of Mila, I am extremely pleased that the new album has something to do with my country. Mila is very nice and funny person there is the proof, but unfortunately in Czech language.

 

[video=youtube;wNt0Y4eKuro]