Prague
TV: Interview:
Spy
Arts
& Culture Section:
Interviews, May 19,
2004
by Kate Kunst
The woman behind Žižkov's Bedroom Gallery on the
junk in her trunk, the joys of dressing up in a monkey
costume and the challenges of running an underground art
space
Wed 19th May, 2004 [updated Wed 19th May, 2004]
Kate
Kunst: Why are you called Spy? What is your real
name?
Spy:
I was called "super secret spy girl" in high school because
there is nothing secretive or covert about me. I can't lie,
I'm clumsy, and I couldn't hide in a crowd to save my life.
I am the worst spy, which makes it the perfect name. It's
funny the way people trip out and ask what my "real" name
is. What's "real"? I have a couple of different names other
than Spy, but none of them are real.
KK:
Do you spy on people? If so, what have you discovered about
others while observing from a distance?
Spy:
My brain activity is like a three-ring circus on the back
of a flatbed truck driving down the yellow brick road. I'm
not a voyeur because I'm much too involved with my own life
to seriously observe others. However, I have discovered a
lot about people through my general disconnection from
them. Mostly, I learned how to be a better person.
KK:
What is the Bedroom Gallery?
Spy:
It's a conceptual art space existing to transcend language,
money, and other conventional ways of connecting and
communicating.
KK:
Why did you choose Prague?
Spy:
It's hard to say, exactly. I am extremely impulsive. I saw
the film Daisies (Sedmikrásky) and went to Prague on the
thrust of an inspiration. I felt the youthful energy and
decided to stay and create something incredible.
KK:
Your first solo show, The Junk in my Trunk, is on at the
Bedroom at the moment. The show is a collection of memories
from your life. Why do you call it junk? Do you intend to
trash it after the show or is it recycled?
Spy:
No, "the junk in my trunk" is a metaphor for my personal
baggage, emotional and physical. The show is extremely
personal, but in the most abstract way. Pretty clever, if I
do say so.
KK:
What else do you do? I heard recently you dressed up as a
monkey and sang onstage.
Spy:
[Laughs] I do a lot of different stuff. I really can't
limit myself to one form of expression. The monkey
performance was really fun. I sang Baby I'm A Star and
asked the audience for spare change. The performance was
basically a symbolic illustration of how artists are forced
to exist.
KK:
The next show at Bedroom is by the "Foto Klub". What's
that?
Spy:
It's a group of photographers who live and work in Prague
but are originally from other places. In this show, Alexis,
Jeff, Minna, Lizzy and myself examine what it is to be
"foreign".
KK:
Is the show aimed at a foreign audience? Why would Czechs
go and see an exhibit about foreigners?
Spy:
There is no particular target audience other than people
who are interested in cultural diversity.
KK:
On May 30th, you'll mark Bedroom's first anniversary.
Prague is a difficult town to crack, especially in the
arts. How will you celebrate this feat?
Spy:
We're going to have a party - live performances, live art
and some surprises - good stuff, in general. I hope to
unify the Žižkov community as well as spotlight
the gallery, and dance under the TV tower in celebration of
one hard-ass year.
KK:
How do you keep the momentum going? You don't make money
off the gallery and the local press rarely writes about or
reviews exhibits in "underground" galleries. Isn't the
gallery a monkey on your back, in some
ways?
Spy:
I don't know but, boy oh boy, I'm tired…
The opening reception for the Foto Klub's Foreign exhibit
takes place at the Bedroom Gallery on Wednesday, May 12th
from 6:30pm. The show runs until June 27th.
Bedroom Gallery
Fibichova 4, Prague 3
Open: Thu - Sat 14:00 - 20:00
Photos of Spy by Minna Pyyhkala
