Art & FIGHTING SPIRIT
Pianist Donka Angatscheva wants to give hope with her initiative “Art Lives On.” Started out of an “act of defiance”, this movement has become prime example of creative synergy. A commitment that has now also made it to the big screen. a
The artist initiative “Art Lives On”, which you launched, has a thoroughly alarming title ...
I have to admit that the situation is alarming. Who could have imagined two years ago that the pandemic in Austria - a dominant cultural country - would suddenly paralyse the life of art and culture completely?
A circumstance that you want to counteract?
This shock was ultimately the motivation for me to want to act. Initially, I was paralysed. Out of an “act of defiance”, one day I started dreaming big again and wanted to use all my strength and contacts to bring cultural life back to being.
The concept is primarily intended to satisfy the yearnings of music and art lovers. But what about those who create art?
Of course, it is true that an online concert can never replace a performance on a big stage, but on the other hand, one has to see the positive aspects, indeed that with an online concert I can get in touch with art enthusiasts all over the world.
Although the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture is one of the supporters, it is thanks to your private commitment that worldclass artists are making music together here - isn’t that in a way also an indictment of Austria as a nation of culture?
Of course, I am deeply grateful to the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture for their generous support for the third edition, the first two only came about with the help of private sponsors. For “Crescendo No. 3” there are also again many who are actively supporting us. For example, Juwelier Bucherer has supported us more and more wholeheartedly each time because they simply believe in the project and have recognised the potential synergies.
In addition to your art, you also bring a top-class network with you. Have you been working with Bucherer and Bösendorfer for a longer period of time?
I have been a “Bösendorfer Artist” since 2019 and am the happy and proud owner of the Bösendorfer model “Opus 50.000”, so for that reason alone, I am intimately connected with Bösendorfer for life. Since the second edition, Juwelier Bucherer has given my project a high quality finish with its unique pieces, and for “Crescendo Nr 3” we even shot a scene for the cinema film in the store on Kärntner Straße with a view of St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
“Everyone needs art, to make their own lives more beautiful.” Donka Angatscheva
Would you say that the art scene is dependent on such private companies as patrons - or is it deceptive that this circumstance has increased in recent years?
Of course, I have had to deal strongly with the issue of sponsorship. On the whole, however, the commitment of benefactors and art-minded companies has always been an essential anchor for all those working in the artistic field.
The third act of the initiative will not only be shown via live stream but also as a cinema film. Is that the future of your industry?
Basically, I hope not, though with all the imponderables we face today, of course, I can’t rule anything out.
Let’s end the conversation on an optimistic note: According to Ernst Fuchs, art is a metaphor for the immortal - so the art world as such is not in danger, despite all the difficulties?
Yes, I agree, even the not very optimistic philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche found that humanity needs art in order not to perish from the truth. Under these premises, we shouldn’t worry too much about our future; everyone needs art, and thus also us artists, to make their own lives more beautiful.