Interview

Theo Adams (En)

There was never a moment in my life where I really became and artist. I think I was born an artist.

—How do you describe characteristic of your style which makes it difference from others? Why do you think you attract people especially young people?

I think my aesthetic is the beautiful mix of dark and light. Faded glamour. I like things that sparkle and move. I have always been attracted to theatricality. People seem to think I have a gothic aesthetic but I see my image as more Liza Minnelli than Marilyn Manson.

—Why do you work with masumi saito? What does she attract you?

I think masumi is an incredible force of nature. I can give her a very loose direction and she totally understands where I am coming from. She manages to dance completely unhinged, raw and dangerous while being painfully beautiful. She is fantastic and very big muse to me.

—Reason why you set up the ‘Theo Adams Company’ and what you get from the member?

I had been performing solo for many years but wanted to make my shows bigger. I don’t like to stay doing the same thing for to long. I never like to feel comfortable. That is why I constantly have to challenge myself. It felt very natural to bring others into my work. I think it is because I have been blessed with finding such a fantastic team. From Jordan Hunt with music, David White with sets and Masumi and all the dancers, they are all the most exciting and talented people to work with and it just seems to work!

—Recently you are featured in many press and media (such as i-d, W magazine) and recognized as one of the hottest artist in London at the moment. What do you think of this situation? Did you imagine that when you started performance?

It has been quite wild really. I have no PR team or anything. But I have had everything from 1 hour long documentary on the BBC, full features in the biggest newspapers and then doing projects with magazines like W and Dazed. For a penniless 19 year old with no formal qualifications in art or performance it can be a lot of pressure to know everyone is watching everything you do. But I don’t really let it affect the work. It’s great though It helps to get my work out to a huge audience.

—Is there any influence on your work that you are mix of British and Greek Cypriot?

I think I am hugely influenced by both cultures. I think it’s very clear that I am very much a London artist. Living in such a cultural diverse and creative city definitely fuels what I do. Whenever I travel abroad I very much feel like a Londoner. But when I am in London I do feel very Greek. I have the Greek sense of Drama. It is in my blood. I grew up listening to all the old Greek divas. I think in London people see my work as very intense and melodramatic. However in Cyprus and Greece it is almost normal!

—Where do you inspire from? How do you come up with the idea?

My inspirations come from everywhere. You tube has changed my life. I have been able to discover so many inspirational artists from Fatima Miranda to La Lupe who I would probably would never know if it wasn’t for seeing them on the Internet. Even though I think my work is somewhat timeless. I’m definitely part of the Internet generation.

—What inspire you at the moment?

At the moment I’m hugely inspired by a song called “Den Thelo Na Xeris” which means I don’t want you to know in Greek. It is by Greek superstar Anna Vissi. I think my next show will be based around it. Everything from the lyrics, music and video are perfect. Just so incredibly passionate!

—What do you want to challenge next? How do you want to be in the future?

I want everything to get bigger and bigger. I want to travel the world doing our productions. I would really love to come to Japan; I’m also in the process of doing 2 big film projects and an album. It all gets very hard though. As I am unfunded and have no product to sell, I have no money. That has not stopped me yet though!

—Who do you want to work with?

There are many people I would love to work with. At the moment Anna Vissi, Pina Bausch and Almodovar come to mind.

—What made you want to become an artist? Is there any artist that had a strong influence of your career?

There was never a moment in my life where I really became and artist. Since I can remember I have been performing, creating shows costumes etc. I think I was born an artist. I just have it in my blood. I don’t think I can really do anything else. I’m not hugely influenced by visual artist but all my influences are performers, musicians and entertainers. People that can bare their soles in front of millions.

Blog – http://theoisamazing.blogspot.com/

Interview, Text/Masaki Takida

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