Episode 11 features an engaging conversation with the award-winning artist Nika Neelova, discussing her artistic career, process, and projects. In this in-depth interview: • Neelova shares insights into her nomadic childhood, work-life balance, and her nature as a workaholic. • we delve into the challenges and physical demands of working with large-scale, site-specific art installations. • Nika discusses her passion for working with found and reclaimed materials and the significance of material and historical context in her work • the conversation also covers her collaborations with other artists and professionals, her approach to site-specific projects in remote locations, and the significant influence of literature and philosophy in her practice. • Neelova gives examples of creating her own opportunities, and the continuous learning that comes with each project. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:22 Navigating Work-Life Balance 02:05 The Fascination with Archaeology and Historical References 02:43 Unconventional Interests: From Shark Teeth to Staircases 03:38 Exploring Roots: A Nomadic Childhood and Multilingualism 06:19 The Journey into Art: Education and Early Projects 07:17 The Evolution of Artistic Practice: Installation and Materiality 11:10 Collaboration and Learning in Artistic Production 17:17 The Role of Reclaimed Materials in Art 27:19 The Process of Creating Site-Specific Art 38:21 The Artistic Process: From Concept to Creation 39:12 Exploring the Depths of Material and Time 41:34 Embracing Serendipity 51:01 The Role of Research and Literature in Art 58:27 The Challenges and Rewards of Large-Scale Art 01:09:07 Creating Your Own Path in the Art World 01:11:38 Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Aspirations Nika Neelova is based in London. You can check out her work on her website www.nikaneelova.com and on her Instagram @nikaneelova https://www.instagram.com/nikaneelova/ She works with: Noire Gallery in Italy: https://www.noiregallery.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/noiregallery/ NIKA Project Space in UAE: https://www.nika-projects.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/nika.projectspace/ Parafin in the UK: https://www.parafin.co.uk/ | https://www.instagram.com/parafinlondon/ Also mentioned in this episode: The Harris Matrix: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_matrix Royal Academy of Art, The Hague: https://www.kabk.nl/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/royalacademyofart.thehague/ Slade School of Fine Art: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/ | https://instagram.com/sladeschool/ Whitechapel Bell Foundry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitechapel_Bell_Foundry Piazza Castello: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_Castello,_Turin Gorgons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgons Perseo Triumfante: https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/museo-pio-clementino/Cortile-Ottagono/perseo-trionfante.html Medusa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medusa The Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/ | https://www.instagram.com/metmuseum/ Arts Council England: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/ | https://www.instagram.com/aceagrams Undercover Softness, essay: https://www.scribd.com/document/134491812/Undercover-Softness-Architecture-and-Politics-of-Oecay-By-Reza-Negarestani Reza Negarestani: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reza_Negarestani Brighton CCA: https://brightoncca.art/ | https://www.instagram.com/brightoncca/ Sophie Williamson: https://www.williamsonwords.net/ | https://www.instagram.com/williamsonwords/ Daria Khan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-khan-4616a7181/?originalSubdomain=uk Mimosa House: https://www.mimosahouse.co.uk/ | http://instagram.com/mimosahouselondon Ron Mandos...