We recently connected with Dmitri Zurita and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dmitri, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Being an artist generally means committing to a significant degree to the concept of risk. In artmaking without risk there is little to be ventured in the work and for the artist–aside from commodity production–doesn’t “grow” without taking risks. So to be an artist is to be in bed with risk, and in that precarity life can enter the work and something meaningful might occur.

Dmitri, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My artistic practice is focused on creating immersive installations that engage with the viewer’s senses and emotions. My work has been exhibited in galleries and museums both nationally and internationally, and I have been the recipient of several awards and grants for my artistic achievements.

As a teacher, I am passionate about encouraging students to explore their creativity and push the boundaries of their own artistic practice. I believe that artistic expression is essential for personal growth and that it can also be a powerful tool for social change. I have taught a range of art courses, including foundational 2d courses to upper division film/video, media, performance, music/sound, as well as history of art, history of film, history of photography, alternative practices in contemporary photography, and installation art, and I am committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students can develop their intuition and engage with contemporary art strategies.

In addition to my artistic practice and teaching experience, I have been an active member of the artistic community. I have curated several exhibitions and collaborated with other artists and institutions to promote art and cultural exchange. I run a non-profit artist residency on the border in Mexico. I believe that art has the power to question, gestate, inspire, educate, and transform, and I am dedicated to promoting its value and importance in society.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

UBI. In a world in which people didn’t fear meeting their basic needs, much more challenging and significant art would be exist. from renting a studio to purchasing materials to acquiring skills, pretty much everything about being an artist is expensive.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

As a kid I was left to my own devices for most of the day, and reading became a favorite pastime; back then I was fascinated by the ideas I found in three texts: Hesse’s Siddhartha, Joyce’s Portrait of an Artist, and Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching. All three texts explore the journey of individuals seeking to discover their true selves and their purpose in life. The protagonists in these texts face internal and external struggles that lead to profound transformations. Each work emphasizes the importance of individualism and the rejection of societal norms. The characters, at various points, break away from conventions and expectations to find their own unique paths. They grapple with inner conflicts, uncertainties, and ambiguity in their paths reflecting the complexity of the human experience and the challenges of navigating a journey of self-discovery.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dmitrizurita.com
• Instagram: @circlethesquare @maracuya.art