We interviewed the artist Javi Corellano on the occasion of his new exhibition, “Star Stuff”, specially designed for PLOM Gallery.
The exhibition “Star Stuff”, by Javi Corellano (Core), will be open from today, Thursday September 28th, until next Thursday October 12th.
On Saturday, October 7, Core will paint and decorate the door-window of PLOM Gallery.
If you want to see him working live, don’t hesitate to pay us a visit.
The activity on the 7th will be part of the third edition of the Young Gallery Weekend, an initiative that opens today, September 28, and that aims to introduce new galleries and different artistic projects of new format.
“Introducing art to the little ones in the way PLOM does it seems great to me. Opening those shapes, colors and doors to the imagination to the little ones is definitely a good idea.” JAVI CORELLANO
How to open a window to the universe
PLOM: Explain to us what you are going to do in PLOM Gallery… CORE: In Plom, we are going to try to open a window to the universe.
The pieces in the exhibition are created to fly with the imagination to distant galaxies.
This is the poster for the “Star Stuff”exhibition at PLOM Gallery,the artwork by Core that serves as the poster illustration is titled “Discovering the Show”. If you like it, visit our SHOP.
PLOM: Why is it titled “Star Stuff”? CORE: “Star Stuff” comes from the famous phrase “We are all made of star stuff”, said by Carl Sagan, scientist, astronomer and one of the most influential and charismatic science communicators of the 20th century.
Sagan, with his documentaries and books, opened the world of astronomy – and all that astronomy entails – to millions of young people.
Me among them.
We are all stardust
PLOM: What is so special about the stars? CORE: Everything we can see, feel or touch is made of material created by the stars in the universe.
What we are and why we are the way we are is directly linked to those bright points we see in the sky at night.
This exhibition aims to awaken curiosity and interest in the stars, astronomy and the universe in children, through works made with acrylic on canvas and wood.
“Walrus, acrylic on Core wood. Do you like it?
Visit our SHOP.“The pieces in the “Star Stuff” exhibition are created to fly with the imagination into distant galaxies.” JAVI CORELLANO
PLOM: What is stargazing for? CORE: Looking at the stars is not only something entertaining and beautiful, but when you do it, you are invaded by questions, doubts and various interests about everything that surrounds us.
Looking at the stars, asking questions and seeing how everything is related to each other is a way to help children think for themselves, become interested in science and create knowledge so that tomorrow they will be less manipulable.
Javi Corellano was also a child
PLOM: Did you draw as a child?
When did you start drawing and painting? CORE: I really liked to draw as a kid, I remember seeing how my brother drew much better and that frustrated me, but I was always there, drawing little monkeys on all the edges of the notebooks. PLOM: When did you start painting more seriously? CORE: About 10 years ago it hit me again very hard.
I was living abroad, in San Francisco, and that’s when I became very interested again.
I started creating characters and really enjoyed drawing and painting.
I had always liked it, but that’s when I really started spending more and more time with it.
“Fireflies, of Core. Do you like it?
Visit our SHOP.“Art is incredibly powerful.” JAVI CORELLANO
PLOM: Do you believe in the Superpowers of Art?
When did you discover that art transforms the world and people? CORE: Art is incredibly powerful.
When I was little, I was going for many years to an English academy.
And I remember absolutely nothing!
I just remember an illustration in a hallway about New York City with a lot of things going on.
I was very little and that illustration ended up affecting my whole life.
It’s the only thing I remember from that academy.
Environmentally conscious
PLOM: How important is the theme of environmental protection in your work?
Do you think it is a message that needs to be highlighted right now?
Does art serve to inspire ideas, to motivate actions, to generate commitment? CORE: I am a great lover of the planet and all the animals that inhabit it.
I firmly believe that we must do everything possible to preserve the planet as we inherited it, for the good of all.
It is something that should be present in all areas: economics, politics, literature, art… So that the subject opens a debate, awareness and actions to preserve our planet.
And the future lies in children.
“Global Warning, of Core. Do you like it?
Visit our SHOP.
“I firmly believe that we must do everything we can to preserve the planet as we inherited it, for the good of all.” JAVI CORELLANO
PLOM: What influence do surfing, skateboarding, California, Barcelona… have on your work? CORE: Surfing and skateboarding have always been present in my life and have had a big influence on who I am.
I’m passionate about the ocean and surfing, and that has made me travel and spend many years in California.
I consider San Francisco my second home and a special place where I find a lot of inspiration.
Barcelona, on the other hand, is home, family and friends: an incredible city to live in. PLOM: When and how do you like to paint?
In the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening?
In your studio, outdoors?
In silence, with music?
Accompanied by friends, surrounded by animals? CORE: I like to be in the studio.
Drawing and painting alone, with music, always with music.
I like to go outdoors to get ideas and do some sketches, but I’m quite a studio mouse.
Alone, the only one who has a pass to come and go as he pleases is my dog. Jipi.
A child’s gaze is pure
PLOM: Do you think children like your work? What is more important, the opinion of an influential critic or that of an 8-year-old child? CORE: In my painting I use a lot of color, animal shapes and a lot of stars, and children I think are attracted to all of this.
But then they make their totally pure reading of what they see and what it makes them feel, and that’s priceless.
The influential critic is important, but it’s something else, it’s not as pure.
“Exploring New Oceans,” by Core.
PLOM: We would love to see your drawings in an animated film.
Have you already done something like that?
Would you like to animate your work? CORE: I would love to.
The truth is that my blood is boiling to do some animation project with my characters.
We’re working on it! PLOM: What do you think of PLOM Gallery? CORE: I think it’s a very good concept.
Introducing art to the little ones the way PLOM does it seems great to me.
Opening those shapes, colors and doors to the imagination to the little ones is definitely a good idea.
“Star Stuff”, Core’s new exhibition, will be open from September 28 to October 12, 2017, at PLOM Gallery (Carrer Sèneca, 31).
On Saturday, October 7, 2017, as part of the activities proposed by the third edition of Young Gallery Weekend, Core will paint and decorate the door-showcase of PLOM Gallery.
Come and see him!
Core’s work that heads this interview is titled. “The Glowing End.
