Maria Loboda on Her Venice Biennale Works and Artistic Process

Key facts

• Maria Loboda is a Berlin-based visual artist showing three works at the 58th Venice Biennale.
• The Biennale is curated by Ralph Rugoff.
• Her works were created in 2017 and previously shown at IAC Villeurbanne in a solo show curated by Magalie Meunier.
• In the Arsenale, she presents 'Lord of Abandoned Success (L'Argile Humide)'.
• In the Central Pavilion, two digital prints from 'Zero Dynasty' (II and V) are displayed.
• In the Bookshop Pavilion Stirling, 'Young Warrior in the Landscape Watching the Birds Go By (Pastoral)' is shown.
• Loboda's process starts with words or phrases she calls 'verbal sculptures'.
• She does not work in a studio but develops ideas while walking and in transit.
• Her thematic interests include myths, lies, repression, and desire.
• She cites Comte de Lautréamont's 'Les Chants de Maldoror' as influential.
• 'Lord of Abandoned Success' references the Eight of Cups tarot card.
• 'Zero Dynasty' photographs show her cleaning artifacts from a catalogue about the Egyptian Zero Dynasty.
• The interview was conducted over email on August 1, 2019.