Toxic Treat interviews: Kajali
Kajali, 18, is a photographer and sometimes model whose works run the gamut from sublime to the disturbing. A native of Germany, Kajali's work has a distinctive artistic voice that makes it truly stand out and demand that you take notice. Kajali's concepts are brilliant, and her execution is absolutely flawless. So I couldn't resist interrogating her about her inspirations.
Fairy tales are another recurring motif in your work. In
"Beware of the Wolf", a girl in a red hooded sweatshirt carries a picnic basket
through a dark forest. In "How to Tell a True Princess", we see a woman in
elegant high heels and stockings resting atop a tall pile of mattresses-- an
allusion to the Princess and the Pea. Other works include brilliant readings of
characters such as Cinderella,
Snow White,
Fairies,
Fallen Angels, and the arthurian sorceress
Morgana LeFay. Could you talk a little bit about how these
have figured into you work? What do you find compelling about the world of fairy
tales and mythology?
I think what attracts me most is the idea that thereīs a second parallel world beneath ours that we can't really see but feel sometimes...allthough I'm not a very religious person I always was interested in other religions and cultures - different ways to see the world and the reason we live. I also read a lot of books about such themes like the Arthur saga from the view of Morgan Lefay - all in all i want to show tough and self-confident women - like in the fairy tale project. usually the protagonists of such stories are dumb and naive - pretty - but imprudent. so I wanted to show them as modern, emancipated women. I wouldn't call myself a feminist, but I like stories about women who - in spite of the time, society or conditions they live - always stay true to themselves and want to be erudite and strong. so a lot of my themes are about goddesses and female main characters.
TT: Your artwork is adorned with the lyrics of such diverse sources as Aerosmith, Audioslave, Bright Eyes, and Carla Bruni, to name just a few. Is music a big part of who you are, or your creative process? What are your favorite bands, or at least, the bands that have most affected your artwork?
Music is something I just couldn't live without, because it's so full of memories and emotions that mean a lot to me. I'm very obsessive with music artists, too, because I always want to meet people who are able to create something that can touch me so deep in my soul. music can make you feel good, when you feel alone, because you know that there's someone else who feels or once has felt like you, but it can also tell great stories about desperate and lost people which can set new ideas free in my imagination. at the moment my favourite band is "Kings of Leon", because i love the hoarse and wasted voice of the singer Caleb Followill. Heīs also a very special writer and person who I'd love to know personal! but I also love the strokes, the kooks, incubus and audioslave/Chris Cornell a lot! i'd love to know more about them and the situations their songs emanate from...
TT: Many of your works are "retro" depicting women with the fashion of decades past. Your execution is absolutely flawless-- the only clue to the modernity of the images is the high quality of the image. What is it about retro-fashion that intrigues you?
As I already said I like to show women, who - despite the society and time they live in - are very tough and self-confident. Besides I just like fashion a lot and I like the elegant, female dresses from the 50's etc a lot.
TT: And now, here are the "Twelve Questions" I'm going to ask everyone I pick, so that readers can compare different peoples answer's to the same questions.
1. What sets artists apart from "normal people"?
I think what separates artists from "normal people" is that they have an eye for all the little things which most people ignore. They are able to see beauty in every creature or object and they want to keep it in mind and create something that stays to make others aware of its beauty or fascination, too.
TT: 2. What hangs on your walls?
A Mando Diao poster, a southside festival poster from 2006, postcards and a lot of collected stuff and photos of my friends
TT: 3. What do you want to say with your art?
I don't know if thereīs a distinct message for other people in my work, like "wake up" or "do something"- I just try to work out the images and stories in my head. Maybe I want to show what I can't say...but in the first place i just want to create something beautiful.
TT: 4. What is the biggest mistake you have ever made as an artist? Will you do it again?
Do it just for the money - yes, I'll do it again anytime, because i need the money!
TT: 5. If you could share a meal with any artist, past or present, who would it be?
Jan Vermeer - I'd like to know if he really had that affair with "the girl with a pearl earring".
TT: 6. What is your favorite reaction that anyone has ever had to your work?
This request for an interview ;)
TT: 7. How did you first get started in art?
I always was a quiet child and used to draw a lot, but when i had my confirmation at 14. I bought my first own digital camera and from then I started to make a lot of photos with my friends. I think photographing became my favourite way of art, because it turns out exactly as you want it - it's not the same with painting and drawing - and it's faster.
TT: 8. What is your favorite piece that you have created? why?
I donīt really have a favourite piece. All of the pics in my gallery are my favourites - thatīs why Iīve put them in.
TT: 9. What is your favorite color or set of colors?
yellow like the sun (like my room), red and violet - no pastel nuances
TT: 10. Which of the "seven deadly sins" do you find yourself most drawn to?
Lust. Greed-- i want all a life can give you: immortal love, beauty, fame, money. Sloth-- I think most artists have a tendency to be depressive and melancholic, because they think too much sometimes, but i think sadness is often a good base for great art works. Pride-- you have to be pride to show your art!
TT: 11. What is your dream of happiness?
To be absolutely confident with myself, what I do and the people I love, but thatīs a state I haven't reached yet...
TT: 12. What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
That's a tough question because i don't see myself as a full-fledged artist yet..but i think one of the best(-known) advices you can give is to always stay true to yourself and do what you want and not what others tell you to!