Jake Edmisten
December, 2020
dead peasant: In your post about your piece, Colorful Isolation, that you submitted to Dead Peasant you mentioned that you were recovering from surgery… would you be comfortable talking about what happened and what was going on?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: Of course! Before I answer I just wanted to say that sometimes my english gets a bit jumbled so if I say something that’s not quite clear feel free to ask me ok? Now to my answer: I have a problem on my feet that was starting to affect my life so I had surgery for it earlier last year and during recovery from that surgery I found out another issue on my ankle and had to have surgery again! The whole thing was very long and I’m currently still in recovery, so it was a very isolating process not being able to exercise, walk or go out normally. I’m not sure about the technical terms in english that's why i’m steering away from specifics.
dead peasant: That must be tough to go through for sure, and I guess you were kinda on lockdown before the rest of us even.
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: Yeah hahaha for me it started a bit earlier.
dead peasant: What's a normal day like for you, and how has the pandemic changed that?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: For the first half: Well I used to go out a lot for errands, college, sport and whatnot! Usually very full days and I used to spend a lot more time in the city than at home, so the pandemic changed a lot of my routine! Plus I graduated a month before everything closed down so there was the additional job hunt worry to everything. And how it affected me, well I was adapting well, considering, and working from home (specially since I was already isolated, sorta). There were harder times like when my family got covid and that feeling of anxiety got stronger so I think it’s been more about dealing with myself and how my anxiety affects me if that makes sense, a lot of introspection.
dead peasant: It's a struggle for everyone I imagine. I believe that you're the only international submission in Dead Peasant this time around, so what should us U.S. outsiders know about the Brazilian art scene?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: Well that's very diverse that's for sure! Brazil has such a rich amalgamation of cultures, it is a continental country after all. So art here is extremely expressive of these backgrounds and beliefs, it’s a very special thing! From architecture, literature and dance to visual art or music, I really recommend checking out our art and history because it’s truly worth knowing. Sorry if that got confusing, it’s just that it’s such a huge country that depending where you are the history and how it reflects on the artwork changes immensely.
dead peasant: No problem! Off the top of my head I tend to associate Brazilian arts with the religious works, architecture, and statues so I kinda just wanted to know a bit more of how a native thinks about Brazilian arts.
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: Well I think the best way to put it would be to say that there is no one way or movement that can fully represent Brazilian artwork. Due to a lot of migration and the country’s history there are a lot of divergent cultures so while yes religious works are a big part of it, there are a lot of different religions, and of course our architecture is very important, but there are also other parts of it worth knowing (I don’t think I know everything either as there is so much!) but for example there's capoeira which is an afro-brazilian dance, the modern art movement was really big in 1922. Basically the more you dig the more you find of Brazilian art haha.
dead peasant: I'll have to dive in then! What is the architect side of your career like?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: Well, I graduated recently and I'm currently working freelance in architecture for a few offices. I’m however a big fan of the theoretical side of it. Academic discussion in architecture is very rich and analysis of the city never tires me haha specially são paulo (which is where I live). I would be lying if I said I’m more connected with architecture than with art though I do love it as well
dead peasant: What were you like as a kid? & Did you always want to be an architect/illustrator?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: I’ve always loved drawing and painting, it’s a very strong form of expression for me and a way to deal with anxiety. I actually went into architecture because I thought it was a “safer” artistic path in a way. I never really saw art as a possible form of income until recently when I decided to go for it. So while yes I always loved and studied art I never saw it as a possible job haha I think I wanted to be basically everything in the book, I was very hyper.
dead peasant: That's pretty similar to my background, since I went into design as a safer creative path.
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: Oh that's so cool! I almost went into design instead of architecture. Crazy how art doesn’t seem to be a “real” possibility in so many cases.
dead peasant: I was raised to think that art wasn't even really an option, but I couldn't stay away when I was in college.
dead peasant: Does your art have an overarching theme or message that you want to convey? Or is it more piece by piece?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: I think a piece by piece thing, it depends a lot on what I'm trying to convey and what my emotions and state of mind are! Though I do tend towards more surrealistic or fantastic visuals.
dead peasant: Politics is often a tricky subject, but politics has always been intertwined with art. Do you struggle with expressing your politics in your work?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: Haha ok! Well art is inherently political, Ithink it has always been even when introspective because it’s something that deals with human relations and is open to interpretation (as in the art is not only created but also read and interpreted by people outside of the artist) so It can get tricky to express complex concepts or core beliefs in a way that can be identified.
At the same time though I don't think every work of art needs to have its politics explicit, I think part of the political discussion in art is in it’s interpretation, social setting and impact if that makes sense. Also many works of art have many layers of political and social commentary within them, so Ithink questioning is a big point in art when it comes to conveying and explaining ideas.
dead peasant: What is your biggest barrier to creating?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: I think perfectionism, Ioften get stuck with lots of unfinished work and art blocks because it often doesn’t end up the way I envisioned it. That process of adaptation between what was in my head and what I ended up creating is a big part of the process and challenge.
dead peasant: I think art blocks are often because your skill level hasn't quite met the level of your tastes. So you know what you want to make often, but can struggle with the "how to make it" part.
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: Yes! As we study what we expect of our art changes, I think that's a good thing it shows progress haha.
dead peasant: If you are too comfortable it can become a routine and stagnates the creative process.
How do you get over that hurdle?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: I just continue drawing and studying until I like it hahaha art is a lot of hard work and it takes a lot of effort to get where you want to get
dead peasant: What's the best piece of advice you have to your younger self?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: I think don’t be afraid to show your art to others and don’t wait for it to be perfect to be proud of it you know? I was (and still am) very shy about my work, that gets in the way a lot.
dead peasant: How do you deal with criticism?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: I try to understand where it comes from and identify how I can use it to get better! A lot of people give really constructive critique that I often don’t realize about my work. I think it’s always important to look at criticism as something that can help you grow, either by realizing where you can get better or learning how to distance yourself from hurtful situations.
dead peasant: you have a favorite painting, film, song, album or any other creative media that inspires you and why?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: I love cinema and animation, so I look for inspiration in it often! Books also are a big part of it. I think because of this new reality that these mediums show us, it’s a great exercise of imagination. If I were to pick one, spirited away was a major influence on me when I was a kid, there’s something about it, like a sense of wonder that I find captivating. Often the magical and hopeful aspect of animation and worldbuilding really draws me in.
dead peasant: Spirited away is also a favorite of mine, definitely a big inspiration.
What are your goals going into the new year? Do you think about where you want to be in 10 years?
Bianca Rivetti Burattini: I think I will practice more and get better and more confident in my art. I also plan to grow my business and possibly go into children’s illustration, which is an area that I really connect with. I do think about 10 years from now, I guess not as much in physical goals as in a state of mind? I do want to get better and happier with myself and my work. Being safe and happy are my biggest priorities, though I get that's really corny.
dead peasant: Safety And happiness are nothing to be ashamed of! Thank you for your time!