PHOTOGRAPHED BY MATHIEU LIBESPERE

On a cold winter day we caught up with Aljoscha Farassat a visual artist living in New York City’s East Village. He shared with us what inspires his work and which musican he admires and why he loves New York. 

MR. ALJOSCHA FARASSAT

What's your first thought when you wake up?

What will be the highlight of this day.

Coffee or tea?

Definitely coffee, breakfast of champions Coffee & a Marlboro. 

What made you become an artist, and what is the most challenging aspect of it and the most rewarding thing about it? 

Working on creative is an urgency for me, an act of survival so to speak. In despair some people kill, some die... I create... nowadays I don’t necessarily have to be in despair, I have developed the ability to look into the dark from different angles without jumping in it. Finishing is the most rewarding. 

What’s your take on the state of art in New York City today?

New York has always been a capitol of the creative minds of this world. Some of the greatest music, writing or visual art has been put on paper so to speak in this grand Metropolis. Unfortunately, nowadays it has become so expensive and exclusive to live here that, in my opinion, it drives out the artists to other places, or through side-jobs the artist becomes so distracted that the chase for rent consumes an artist’s creativity, energy and spirituality. I am speaking from my own experience. 

As an artist what inspires your work? 

My work is very much driven by an emotional engine, more than the technical. The deeper and more complex the emotion the heavier my work gets.

What artist or artists do you admire?

I don’t want to go too deep into the visual artists I admire. I’d much rather answer this question using the example of a musician. They drive my work in so many ways. I can really listen to jazz 24/7. I admire musicians such as John Coltrane, Miles and Chet Baker to name a few. In winter time, I often enjoy listening to the heavy weights in modern classical music such as Max Richter and Philipp Glass.

What’s the last book you read?

I have not read a book in a long time, which I am not very proud of. 

A quote that speaks to you?

“I have nothing to offer to anybody, except my own confusion.” – Jack Kerouac or “In retrospect the days of your struggle will strike you as the most beautiful” – Sigmund Freud 

Where do you go to switch off?

I absorb movies and love to go to the movies. 

“I am a visual person that appreciates the aesthetics of beautiful skin, face or body but these things to me can all be beautiful, but if there is no depth and soul it is just a shell to me.”

You live in New York, what are the things you love about this city?

I love New York because it drives you. If you are not on the move it will swallow you. It’ll make you a survivor and a fighter. It is not easy... on so many layers. 

How do you describe your personal style?

I don’t like to make a bold statement my clothing is more of an understatement. Dark and timeless. Black is the new black. 

Boxers or briefs? 

Boxer-Briefs. 

Three products you can’t live without?

Can’t live is a little strong but that I really use the most iPhone, Coca Cola and TV. 

Are you a perfect man? 

Absolutely imperfect. 

In your opinion, what does it take to be the Perfect Man?

A good man or even a good woman? For sure there is integrity and loyalty, truthfulness and playfulness, honesty and awareness. Everything on the surface is extra and should be appreciated and enjoyed. I am not denying that I am a visual person that appreciates the esthetics of beautiful skin, face or body but these things can all be beautiful, but if there is no depth and soul it is just a shell to me. 

A country?

U.S.A. 

A restaurant?

Vinegar Hill House  

A fragrance?

John Varvatos Vintage 

If you had a choice, where would you choose to spend your last day on earth? 

Where the explosives are.

Photography MATHIEU LIBESPERE