The Color of Motion: Carol Caputo
An Interview
18" x 22", mixed media. Courtesy of the artist.
"Just as Kandinsky and Miro strove to create visual interpretations of jazz and classical music with line, shape and color, so my focus is to visualize the essence of Latin music in texture and color. I integrate primary colors, as well as tropical colors and shapes into harmonies that explode into saucy riffs and spontaneous improvisations. These forms appear to fly, dance and shake to an exhilarating internal rhythm. The marriage of line and texture suggest the endless exchange between the dancer and the music." — Carol Caputo
NY ARTS: Why do you make art?
Carol Caputo: Art Makes me feel alive.
NY ARTS: How would you describe what it is that you do?
CC: Create visual excitement, stimulate the senses.
NY ARTS: What kind of music do you listen to while you work? How does it influence
your work?
CC: Latin and Jazz-keeps colors and shapes moving.
NY ARTS: If you could own any single piece of art, what would you choose and why?
CC: Any Kandinsky painting.
NY ARTS: Do you believe that art has a social function?
CC: Yes, it humanizes us.
NY ARTS: Has there ever been a particular space that inspired your work? Where do you work best?
CC: New York is my inspiration; the movement and energy is overwhelming.
NY ARTS: Do you experience creative blocks? What gets you out of them?
CC: Dancing
NY ARTS: Donald Kuspit recently titled his book, "Art is Dead". What is your response to the statement?
CC: The desire to make art is not dead. However, the disposable, temporary, instant gratification gives less meaning to the craft. A culture that does not support the arts is a dead culture.
NY ARTS: Who are five artists that inform/inspire your work?
CC: Kandinsky, Matisse, Nancy Graves, Leger, Balla.
NY ARTS: What are the three best exhibitions that you’ve seen this year?
CC: Turner portraits, Astec, William Kendrig, Picasso/Matisse, Lee Bontecou.
NY ARTS: What is your definition of happiness?
CC: My creative energy.
NY ARTS: If you could collaborate with any other artist, living or dead, who would you choose, why, and what would you hope to work on together?
CC: Kandinsky. I love his connection to music. [It] adds a new dimension of rhythm to my work.
