11028 Venetian masks have their own personality. That was what artist Nicolae Latunov told us. Nicolae Latunov is the young man who knows what a success is thanks to his paintings and his Venetian masks he learnt to make in Venice, their home city.
"it was Venice where I fell in love with the art of masks and where I learnt to make them."
Nicolae Latunov
"it was Venice where I fell in love with the art of masks and where I learnt to make them."
Nicolae Latunov
"it was Venice where I fell in love with the art of masks and where I learnt to make them."
Nicolae Latunov
Do you create masks because you are keen on the medieval Venetian culture or because it is a trade that brings money?
I studied in Florence and earned a Master’s degree in 3D animation there. Besides, I won a scholarship to study in Paris. So, I spent a year in Florence after which I left for Paris.
I began making masks then, when I was a student. I several times met with Glebus Sainciuc. I needed advice and what he told me was really valuable. So I owe him my gratitude. But it was Venice where the cult of masks became my real passion. I started paining and liked it very much. I have fallen in love with this culture by doing what I have always wanted to.
Moreover, when in Venice, I studied the Venetian culture as well as the history of Venice and Venetian carnival. So, it was Venice where I discovered the ancient culture of carnivals.
After returning home, I opened a mask workshop in Chisinau. At that period of my life I thought little of whether to leave Moldova or to stay here. Just started working and buyers came soon. Now, I am selling my masks even in Venice.
Where is the demand for your masks stronger – in Moldova or in the Western Europe?
You know, they are sold well in Moldova too. I just try to develop the culture of Venetian masks every of which has its own personality.
Would you tell us what the Venetian mask is and what meaning it bears?
The Venetian mask was used to hide the face. As you put the mask on, you hide your real self as if you played a role. With the time passing, every mask acquired its symbolic value. For example, trouser tailors wore masks of Pantalone, the Captain or Casanova.
I make a mask and explain what it means. For some time I even taught this art here, in Moldova. And this is what I would like to do in future.
Did your art carrier begin before your journey to Italy or after your return from Venice?
In fact, I studied painting in the College of Art and in the Academy of Art. Besides painting, I studied graphics and sculpture. Europe has broadened my vision and knowledge of art. Of course, I started my artist career in Moldova, but it was Venice where I fell in love with the art of masks and where I learnt to make them.
You have said you try to develop the mask culture. How do our compatriots perceive medieval masks?
I explain the meaning of a mask to everybody who wants to know it. I put my explanations in simple words for those who are not good at the specific terminology. I am proud that I have scored a success with my masks. By my works, I would like to show how beautiful the culture of the Venetian mask is.
I am studying styles, texture, colours and other features of the mask. It has taken me a lot of time to learn to make a good papier-mâché mask. There are a lot of secrets in this trade which I learnt when in Venice. I have spent a lot of time and money to become a skilful mask-maker.
"I did not think of making masks in Moldova then. That idea came to me later and after hard work."
Nicolae Latunov
"I did not think of making masks in Moldova then. That idea came to me later and after hard work."
Nicolae Latunov
""I did not think of making masks in Moldova then. That idea came to me later and after hard work."
Nicolae Latunov
Upon you return, did you believe in your future success?
I did not think of making masks in Moldova then. That idea came to me later and after hard work. Now, I make masks from both papier-mâché and silicon. I look for the information online or ask my friends abroad for help. They also create masks, although those masks are different - African, Indian and others.
I have read a lot about how to make ceramic masks, for example, Japanese ones. I even have made a samurai mask, but have not created such masks for sale. But in future I will try probably. In other words, before starting working on a mask, I study a lot of information.
Have you thought of exhibiting your masks here, in Moldova.
In 2004, for the first time ever, I displayed my Venetian masks abroad. Recently, I have organized an exhibition in the Czech Republic. But I have never had personal exhibitions in my country.
You also paint a lot of rural landscapes. Is it somehow related to your past or are such paintings in great demand?
Undoubtedly, such paintings are in great demand. But I do like painting Moldovan landscapes - valleys and hills, a house with the straw roof, a shepherd with several sheep… Moldova is rich in beautiful places.
What movement or what artist inspires you most?
My preferences have changed with the lapse of time. As I have said, now I am keen on Giovanni Canaletto, an artist of the 17th century. His style is peculiar and I return to it time and again. Picasso and Dali also inspire me.
As for art movements, I prefer surrealism. An artist expresses reality as he sees, perceives and feels it.
How do you find models for your nude paintings?
I am not looking for them. They are looking for me (smiling). But last year I even stopped passersby to offer them to be my models. Unlike in old times when everybody sought to have his or her own portrait, nowadays people have forgotten how to pose for paintings.
Were there any funny incidents when you worked with your clients?
Once I had not a funny, but an unusual incident. Many years ago I painted a portrait of a man. 5 or 6 years later, his wife phoned me to ask to visit them because, as she explained, there had been some problems with the portrait. As I learn later, I was supposed to change the colour of the man’s hair because he had turned grey. I rejected that idea first, but then agreed and changed the colour. But the request seemed to me funny. A man constantly changes. It is not a plastic doll.
A similar incident happened to Leonardo da Vinci when he worked on The Last Supper, which he painted for a long time. After depicting Jesus, he could not find a model for Judas for several years. One day he met a man who looked like a beggar. Leonardo stopped him because the beggar represented all features the artist had looked for. He was the very opposite of Jesus. However, the beggar rejected the offer to sit to the painter. Leonardo asked him what the reason was. The beggar explained he had been the model for Leonardo’s Jesus.
"...să nu uităm de artiştii care au fost! Asta e ce aş fi vrut să spun, e mesajul meu."
Nicolae Latunov
"...să nu uităm de artiştii care au fost! Asta e ce aş fi vrut să spun, e mesajul meu."
Nicolae Latunov
"...să nu uităm de artiştii care au fost! Asta e ce aş fi vrut să spun, e mesajul meu."
Nicolae Latunov
How to teach a person to understand art and to feel the difference between art and kitsch?
If we are talking about Chisinau, it lacks art galleries. There are almost no galleries in our city. We need big galleries with select professionals.
People often follow fashion. For example, if postmodernism is fashionable, we are likely to prefer postmodernist works. But the point is whether we are able to understand the gist of these works.
What you are talking about is the matter of a taste and tastes differ.
Do you mean every man to his taste?
Tastes differ but they can be explained and discussed. One can study what this or that term means. Nowadays it is easy to find information about cubism, impressionism, realism – about art movements. I always try to learn as much as possible before starting to work.
People often assess what they see as “I like it" or “I don’t like it”. I mean, they came to a museum and some works are to their liking, while others are not. But for what else do we have museum guides or audio guides if not for learning more about the history of the work, about its meaning, about the time it was created in, etc. The guides are very useful. Moreover, I think, on Moldova’s TV channels there should be at least one show devoted to art.
You know, in Paris, people have to pass an exam to be allowed to sing songs in the streets. It brings tears to your eyes when you listen to street singers in Paris. Unlike France, street singers in Moldova are often humming something instead of singing. This is how a taste develops.
Do you think we need a whole TV channel devoted to art?
Yes, you are right. There are a lot of perfect artists, musicians and so on in Moldova, but unfortunately, sooner or later, they come to the decision to leave our country. I am not an exception and monotony may kill my zest for some things.
By paraphrasing a classical writer, I would like to say that art will save Moldova. Let’s open galleries for us to have places to go to. Let’s cultivate the longing for art in people. Let’s have respect for art and learn to buy works of art.
And let’s remember those creators who are no longer with us! This is what I have wanted to say. This is my message.
