George Chakravarthi

What name would you like to be known as in this interview? The image is from an archive of untitled self-portraits from the late 80’s early 90’s. A small collection of them are being reproduced on DVD. I have undergone too many transformations to remember since and have used so many pseudonyms, from Maxx Shurley to Anoushka Arya and currently Johnny Shekontai. But here, now, today, it’s George Chakravarthi.

What did you dream about last night, if at all? What colour is the room where you sleep? My room is a nicotine shade of white.
I actually had a nightmare last night and it was so bizarre and vivid that I had to write some of what I could remember down at 4:30am. These are just a few of my notes:

I am in at a party in an old house in Morocco. (never been to Morocco!)
There is a mural of a huge cloud on one of the walls.
I smash a glass and my face begins to strangely deteriorate and turn to dust.
I run up some stairs.
The glass is somehow in mouth now and I furiously try and spit it out.
I arrive at another staircase going down towards two men playing cards.
The rest of me begins to turn to dust.
I panic.
I wake up.

How does the metaphysic or esoteric influence your work or creativity – if it at all? I think they both influence and affect the work in some ways. A visual mind exists on both of these planes. The process of imagination brings it forward and onto another place. The transition between the two is what requires immense skill.

When last did you cook? On Saturday afternoon. I try and cook as often as possible but only usually have time to commit to it on weekends. You can’t hurry love!

When recently have you sung? Today, rehearsing ‘Stop in the name of love!’ for a party next week.

Do you wear scent? Yes. Issey Miyake for the last 15 years, the original one. It’s particularly good after 6 hours on the skin.

What question would you like to ask the next interviewee? What do you make of my dream? What’s your favourite Supremes song?

George Chakravarthi considers much of his work to be a series of self portraits. He has performed and exhibited nationally and internationally and is 'Thinker in Residence’ at The Live Art Development Agency. He participated in a discussion with Lois Keidan at the A Foundation, as part of the Liverpool Biennial 2008.
www.georgechakravarthi.co.uk