EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE

"An artist lives in the manifestation of things as in his element." These words belong to the German philosopher Georg Simmel and characterise the creativity and personality of the Azerbaijani artist Fidan Kim the best. She is young and talented. She feels people, lives by creativity and at the same time a harmonious life in the modern world. She currently resides in the USA and is open to the whole world. Her works – semantically expressive and vivid – have repeatedly been demonstrated in prestigious international exhibitions in Georgia, Russia, France, China, and the USA. Her objective is quite simple: to find answers to philosophical questions of life and to convey the beauty of the world to people. Fidan Kim, a graduate of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts, recommends Azerbaijani artists not to hesitate to price their works. This is one of the main lessons she learned at the US School of Fine Arts.

Confident in herself and full of energy, which she is not averse to sharing with the whole world around her, Fidan boldly manages her time and spends it on enriching her professional activities. And almost always wishes to visits Baku – her beloved, warm and cosy home city. After all, it is her native land that gives her inspiration, which she will take with her across the ocean. Why Kim? Fidan's mother's name is Kimia. Therefore, for her pseudonym, she took the three initial letters of her name. “She is always by my side and the main inspiration for my successes. She has always done her best to help me make my dream come true since my childhood."

“You’ve visited Baku recently. What are your impressions?”

“For me, visiting my homeland, Azerbaijan, is a huge holiday, a source of inspiration and joy! I count the days before each trip to Baku. I’ve been able to see all my relatives, friends, the Caspian Sea, old cosy streets of Icherisheher. That is, I’ll take with me inspiration for the next three or four months! The trip was fruitful at the same time. I even managed to work between meetings (smiles). Every time I get to Icherisheher, I feel absolute happiness, nothing can beat it.”

“What colours do you associate Baku with?”

“Good question! Golden, red and azure. Golden because Azerbaijan is a country of sun, fire, where people follow the call of their hearts. Temperamental, kind, sympathetic and so dear! Red because Azerbaijan is a country of love. And, of course, azure, because Azerbaijan is a country of the beautiful Caspian Sea.”

“Why did you move to the USA? How has this influenced your works? After all, by that time, you’d already had strong connections in Baku with a certain niche in creativity that you enjoyed there...”

“Actually, I wouldn’t call it a move. Rather, I try to continue to represent my country in the US. I’m not a type of person who becomes satisfied with what has already been achieved. Today is a time of changes in all spheres: art, science, even in human relations. Everything changes with cosmic speed. Now is the best time to make a claim about our country and culture to the whole world. Our victory in the Patriotic War also contributed to this feeling. As for me personally, my stay in the US had a very tangible impact on the commercial side of my career. I am taking various courses on appropriate marketing for my products and I really want one day to bring all this into the field of fine arts education in Azerbaijan.”

“What is the difference between the fine arts industry in the USA and Azerbaijan? What ideas would you bring to Baku?”

“I think it's not entirely correct to compare: completely different temperaments. And, in general, we have a radically different attitude to creativity. For example, in the US, everything is regarded through a commercial point of view, while the Azerbaijan people focus more on sincerity. Therefore, our artists and their works are more connected with the soul and emotions. I think we should learn from the Americans of their openness to innovation and experimentation. A drop of commercial entrepreneurship in the ocean of cordiality would not hurt. Americans, on the other hand, could borrow our soulfulness (laughs). In addition, I really like the US education system in fine arts. It’s not solely about teaching and learning painting and painting history. Among other things, they give you all the necessary knowledge and tools for marketing useful in the global market: how to access it correctly, how to correctly evaluate your paintings, etc. After receiving your education, you understand what art of the 21st century is about and how to manoeuvre in it correctly.”

“One of the trends in contemporary art these days is the collaboration of big brands and artists. You took part in a similar project, where, together with designer Faig Kerim, you created a dress for Leyla Aliyeva, in which she appeared on the red carpet of the Zhara Music Festival.”

“In the modern commercial art world, collaboration with renowned brands means luxury and prestige. It's fine for marketing and, in general, for creative development, self-discovery in new areas, information exchange. Any new experience makes the artist's work richer. This collaboration, of course, is reflected in the artist's future career. Faig Kerim is a true professional in his field. His outfits are unique and incredibly beautiful. The models he creates are exclusive. No one else can be compared to him. Getting to know him played a huge role in my work, and when he invited me to take part in the design of a dress for Leyla-khanim, I was extremely inspired and delighted! He used the motives of my painting Dragon and created an unusual dress with meaning. I think our creative tandem will expand. And we will delight you with new joint projects!”

“You were lucky in the US: thanks to your meeting with the owner of the Trigg Aison Fine Art gallery in Beverly Hills, Trigg Ison, one of your works now adorns his showcase. Then you appeared at the Live with Susie show on a Los Angeles local TV channel Chehreha. Do these happy acquaintances continue?”

“I’ve been lucky indeed. But the main rule to be successful is to work tirelessly and believe in your dream! Yes, I am happy to meet Trigg Ison. But these are, rather, the fruits of my labours and my endless faith. Belief that everything in life is possible. You just need to really want and try very hard. I try to rely on both my personality and my creativity when building connections. At the same time, I think that sincerity is the main thing in communicating with people. It is important to be grateful to people for everything good, for their advice, and even for the time they devote to us. You need to share your love, positive attitude and energy with people!”

“In one of your interviews, you call your paintings modest. At the same time, they are full of meaning, colours, professional techniques and an attractive atmosphere. How is modesty manifested?”

“(Smiles) It's simple. I myself am the biggest critic of my work. I always look for and find my mistakes in order to polish all the strokes and details. Perhaps, at times, my works are bright and quite detailed, but at the same time, I always try to stick to some rather difficult and sometimes even everyday topics.”

“What exhibitions were the most significant for you?”

“The most important in my life was the first exhibition in Icherisheher. It was called Paradoxes. I was very young (smiles). In terms of significance, the most important for me was the personal exhibition in Beijing. It truly became a tangible start for me, a kind of boost in the path of outlining future goals and a motivational foundation.”

“Do you think contemporary art is killing the academic school? You will probably agree that now the drawing technique is giving way to the idea and form of presentation...”

“This is a favourite topic of discussion for many people who are even indirectly related to art. However, I have a loyal attitude towards this issue. It seems to me that contemporary art is paintings made by artists living and creating today. The works do not have to be abstract, minimalistic or absurd in some way. I still think that we should be open to all experiments and innovations! Especially if at the same time they give us some emotions, sensations. For me, there is no such criterion as good or bad work; this is very relative. If any painting or some kind of performance touches a person's soul, evokes emotions and feelings in him, then it is a priori successful.”

“Artist plunges into a state of complete solitude and internal dialogue, when he creates. He ceases to be a part of the real world. From what you say, you see absolute happiness in the work process. Do you imply that you are much more comfortable in your artistic life than in reality?”

“In fact, the creative world is my reality. Therefore, I cannot say that, moving away from the canvas, I am not working. In principle, even at normal times, when I sit with my family, friends and relatives, my consciousness continues to work. I present new compositions, mentally draw people on canvas, compose their stories in my sketches. I am absolutely comfortable! Because my art is endlessly spinning in my thoughts. This is the very part of my life that makes me my own self.”

“Every creative person has a work that brought him success. Do you have such a work?”

“I hope this work will surprise everyone very soon (smiles).”

“By the way, you’re quite active on social networks. What kind of energy do you get from your subscribers?”

“Social networks have become an integral part of my work, because I get lots of energy from all my subscribers. When I have sort of a creative crisis, or I somehow doubt myself, the first thing I do is publish my work in an Instagram story and observe the reaction - a huge influx of positive reviews and comments... It’s difficult to describe what inspiration and incredible life energy of gratitude and love I get from every person who takes at least some part in my work. Thanks to everyone!”

“It seems you have opened a new page in your art. Interestingly, the characters in these works look rather gruesome...”

“Thank you very much for following my works so carefully and for noticing this wind of change. Yes, indeed, this is something new in my work. But! It will be better if you see everything with your own eyes... I can only say that my motto is: “Be a time traveller”.

“A creative person tries to find answers to his questions through his works. What are your questions to the world, the Almighty? Could you find the answers?”

“The biggest question for me is how to make people's lives more positive and warmer? In general, in my works I try to give people some very positive emotions. I want people looking at my paintings find a part of themselves in them. I have too many questions to answer. Endless questions. Probably, this is the beauty of our life (smiles).”