Kludge Magazine
Interview: EDUARDO BENEDETTO
by Arturo Perez
We talk with visual artist Eduardo Benedetto, who states
that his artwork centers around personal concerns of isolation and oppression.
"I seek to find a sense of balance in life by responding to questions
and answers which preoccupy my thoughts. The prosses of art making helps
me to identify and put ideas into motion. I also find the use of various
materials stimulating and helpful in motivating me towards new ideas.
In this sense, my artwork is an important experimental part of my life."
Benedetto is very involved with the Cannibal Flower movement in Los Angeles,
a once-a-month, portable venue for the arts that showcases art, music,
dance, film, projections, magic and fashion shows, under the idea that
artists that unite can work better than if each artist tries to make it
on their own through the more conventional standards. Here is what Benedetto
had to share with us:
What is the meaning of life, according to your perceptions?
To me, the meaning of life is my family and most importantly my friends.
Without these people in my life, I will probably die young and end up
a lost and confused soul.
You like to deal with isolation on your work - do you think your artistic
tendencies disconnected you from society? Is this where the theme comes
from?
No. I don't think my artistic tendencies disconnect me from society. In
fact, I use society to feed my ideas. The theme comes from my own personal
experience and i paint them so people can relate and identify their emotions
with my paintings.
What attracted you to abstraction?
What attracted me to abstraction is the different meanings i can create
without limitations. To me creating is everything.
How hard has it been to live practically (i.e. earn money) and be a
serious artist?
It can be tough at times, but i guess it's more of getting used to a working
schedule. You have to know how to balance your schedule between work and
your own personal time.
How did you end up with Cannibal Flower?
I've attended a Clive Barker signing event and i met Tim Phoenix, a special
effect make up artist. Tim is a big fan of Cannibal Flower and asked me
to check out their shows. My first visitation to Cannibal Flower was on
Feb. 2004, featured artist Luke Chueh. I met L. Croskey a.k.a L.C. (one
of the founders of Cannibal Flower) and had asked him how to get my work
to show in his events. L.C. and i talked about my work...to make this
story short, I was on for the next Cannibal Flower Show on March 27th
2004 with Featured TOOL Artist Cam De Leon...
Who are your favorite writers, artists, and musicians?
My favorite writers: Edgar Allan Poe, James Joyce, & William Burroughs.
My favorite artists: Chet Zar, Cam De Leon, Francesco Clemente, Jean-Mitchel
Basquiat, Leonardo Da Vinci, L. Croskey, Nathan Cartwright, Marylin Manson,
David Lynch and the list goes on....
My favorite musician: John Frusciante
