In His East Williamsburg Studio, Artist Vladislav Markov Makes 3D Prints, Pounds Coffee, And Plays A Single Song On Repeat
Multimedia artist Vladislav Markov (b. 1993) doesn't take things by halves. The artist hosted his debut show Eight Feet Under with New York gallery management last fall, transforming the downtown gallery's showroom into a functional gray box by covering the walls with perforated parchment panels and gray carpeting. For the artist, this decidedly ordinary background is reminiscent of the concrete architecture of his post-Soviet childhood and serves as a deeply impersonal background for his paintings and sculptures, which through scanners, 3D printers and imaging technology suggest an atmosphere detached from the atmosphere. Hospitals, health laboratories and offices.
Vladislav Markov, 2023. Photo: Inna Svyatsky.
Markov has a studio in a bare building in East Williamsburg that probably lacks comfort, to say the least...proper insulation. But the price is right and it's big enough to house his 3D printer collection. During his almost eight years of activity in this space, Markov arranged a very comfortable studio in the building. Currently, Markov is preparing new work to be installed in September at the NADA House on Governor's Island in New York . She recently took a peek inside her studio, where she spends her days with her dog and her beloved Nespresso coffee machine.
In the studio of Vladislav Markov in East Williamsburg. Photo: Inna Sviatsky.
Tell us about your studies. Where is it, how to find it, what area is it, etc.?
My studio is in East Williamsburg. I've been back and forth for about eight years now...it was empty when I was at Cornell in grad school. My master loves me so much that I can return it when I come back to New York. The room had a 1960s Tribeca vibe -- poor electricity, no airflow, and no insulation -- but it was cheap, so I can't complain too much. I found the room on Craigslist and there isn't even a picture... just the size and price.
How many hours do you typically spend in the studio, what hours do you feel most productive and what activities take up the most time?
About 6-8 hours a day. I tend to do physical things in the morning and evening. Bringing materials and work to the screen that day. But when I have a deadline, I stay here for several days without going out.
In the studio of Vladislav Markov in East Williamsburg. Photo: Inna Sviatsky.
What's the first thing you do when you enter the studio (after turning on the lights)?
I always wash my hands first. Put on my studio clothes, go to my Nespresso machine... smoke a cigarette.
What are you working on now? Send us some smartphone photos of work in progress or photos of different jobs in different stages of completion that you think will influence your process.
Now I'm working on several projects at the same time. I have work to do at NADA Governor's House in September, a large scale outdoor installation in Utah with Last Hot Desert in Spring 2024 that will require a lot of planning and preparation, and I have a solo concert in China j . SIMULATION:
In the studio of Vladislav Markov in East Williamsburg. Photo: Inna Sviatsky.
What are your favorite art tools or materials to work with and why? Send us a picture.
I love my 3D printer. They are not luxurious, but have relatively large beds for the price. And I give my coffee maker an honorable mention.
What atmosphere do you like at work? Is there something you would like to hear/see/read/see etc.? if you are in the studio looking for inspiration or ambient culture?
Every device I own that can play music is plugged back in and yes, the music plays when the coffee is poured. I've been listening to songs on repeat for about a week. After a day or two, that voice became my silence. You really know a song after listening to it for a week. And it's not just limited to techno... I do it with everything from rap, grime, soundtracks and even/especially Steve Reich.
In the studio of Vladislav Markov in East Williamsburg. Photo: Inna Sviatsky.
What do you do to release blocks when you feel stuck preparing for a show?
I do something that is not directly related to art. It could be as easy as walking my dog, an area of New York I don't typically spend time in, or getting into a drunken fight at a bar. I think it's about trying something different. A routine life can destroy your thoughts and your motivation. It's so important to see and feel things differently so that you can come back to the studio every day and experience a new day.
What images or objects do you see while working? Do you have work by other artists in your studio? If so, share a photo from your phone and tell the story behind it.
Carl Ostendarp was my professor in grad school and gave me one of his works as a graduation gift. This is an image of John F. Kennedy. I introduced it because I really dislike having other people's work looking at me while I'm working. I know where this picture is in my studio and I can visualize it easily in my head and that's enough for me.
In the studio of Vladislav Markov in East Williamsburg. Photo: Inna Sviatsky.
What is the last museum or gallery exhibition you saw that really impressed you and why?
I've been following Pavilion Shinkel and SIMYAN closely. I didn't know of any place in New York that put on a show like this and that might explain why I was drawn to them. The Taylor Ashby Hawkins exhibition at No Place Gallery is fantastic. I'm interested in a job that doesn't fit in an average elevator on the Upper East Side.
Where do you get your food from or what do you eat when you are hungry in the studio?
I ordered cheap Japanese food from Ecuadorians at Seamless.
Is there anything in your studio that might surprise visitors?
In the studio of Vladislav Markov in East Williamsburg. Photo: Inna Sviatsky.
What is the most stylish in your studio? The most humble.
My inflatable Intex sofa and my dog CYBR.
How has your studio environment influenced your work?
This is very important. I spent 20 minutes looking for musical instruments because the studio was a mess. I now use standard Steelton racks. Why settle for a chaotic mess when you can turn your studio into a well-organized sanctuary?
In the studio of Vladislav Markov in East Williamsburg. Photo: Inna Sviatsky.
Describe the room with three adjectives.
Summer: hot, quiet, noisy. Winter: dry, gray, dirty.
What's the last thing you do at the end of the day before you leave the studio (other than turning off the lights)?
I always check my keys. I only have one partner. Reminds me to make another collection.
What do you want to do next?
Sometimes I like to have a drink at Fanelli's and then go home.
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