Whom do contemporary artists read?
We are shaped by what we read. What do successful and famous contemporary artists read? In this article, we present to you the selection of books and authors who have influenced them the most.
Basist Kumar, India
Indian landscape painter Basist Kumar combines in his artworks the ancient culture and spirituality of India with traditional and modern art of China. This symbiosis has formed the basis of his author’s style. In his paintings, he explores the interaction of man and the surrounding world. Each artwork of the artist is a kind of philosophical reflection. He follows the Indian tradition of putting intellectuality and spirituality side by side as two paths leading to the same goal. And Basist Kumar’s favorite books fully reflect this aspiration.
Paulo Coelho. «The Аlchemist»
This is the most famous novel by the Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho, which has many famous quotes: «If you want something, the whole Universe will help to make your wish come true … ». The novel tells about the search for oneself and one’s place in the world, about dreams and their realization, about obstacles on the path of the one who is walking and about much more. The book contains many meanings and allegories, so each reader will take away after reading something important for himself.
Hermann Hesse. «Siddhartha»
Another novel-parable by the famous German humanist writer Hermann Hesse was born from the author’s travels to India and his interest in Eastern religions. The book tells about the son of a brahmana — Siddhartha Gautama. The young man leaves his hometown in search of truth, purpose and his real «I». And, after a whole life of wanderings and amazing events, Siddhartha, like the hero of «The Alchemist», understands: everything he was looking for was given to him from the very beginning, but it took a long way to realize this. The parable is worth reading and rereading not because of the plot and in the search for new knowledge, but because of the deep understanding of the world and the feeling of unity with it that it gives.
Salman Rushdie «Garun and the Ocean of Tales»
Ahmed Salman Rushdie is a British writer originally from India. In the book-fairy tale «Garun and the Ocean of Tales» he created a whole world full of secrets and allegories. The main character, a little boy Garun, sets off on an amazing journey during his sleep to return his lost voice to his father, the great storyteller Rashid. Despite the fabulous plot, the book is interesting not only for children but also for adults. In it, the author gives his answers to the eternal questions: «Who we are? What are we worth? Where we are going? What is Truth? What is the time?»
Marco Melgrati, Italy
An artist from Italy, Marco Melgrati, creates illustrations on hot topics for the world’s leading newspapers and magazines: The Washington Times, Politico, Corriere Della Sera, The Boston Globe. Looking at them, you sometimes wonder: «Where did Marco Melgrati come from such stunningly bright and accurate images that perfectly reflect the vices and characteristics of modern society?» Perhaps it’s all about his favorite books? The artist adores the novels of the American science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, as well as the Russian classics Gogol and Dostoevsky. He recommends reading all the works of these authors, but we have selected 3 of the most striking for you.
Philip K. Dick. «Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?»
Science fiction writer Philip K. Dick wrote 44 novels, but fame came to him thanks to the adaptation of this book, before the release of which the writer did not live only three months. The novel «Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?» formed the basis of Ridley Scott’s iconic film «Blade Runner». This book, like many other works of the author, is a post-apocalyptic dystopia with an intricate and gripping plot. Experts say that Philip K. Dick wrote one book all his life about what worried him the most — the illusory nature of reality, history and time. Similar ideas are raised in the film «The Matrix» (perhaps it was Dick’s books that inspired the creators). Are we sure that our reality is real? Perhaps we just ended up in a cage, and everything around us is nothing more than a figment of our imagination? What can global mechanization and robotization lead to? The author tried to answer these and other questions in his books in general and, in particular, in the book «Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?» Yes, he plunged so diligently into a fictional (or not?) The world that he eventually went insane, leaving humanity with many mysteries scattered in novels.
N.V. Gogol. «Petersburg stories»
Fantastic twists and turns, together with the poignant psychologism of the stories, brought Gogol world fame. The collection «Petersburg Stories» includes novels «Nevsky Prospect», «Nose», «Portrait», «Carriage», «Notes of a Madman» and, of course, the «Overcoat». All of them are united by a common scene — Saint Petersburg city — and the problem of the «little man». No words must-read.
F.M. Dostoevsky. «The Idiot»
Perhaps one of the kindest novels by Fyodor Dostoevsky — «The Idiot» — paints a portrait of the «ideal person» of Prince Myshkin, showing his helplessness in the world of greed and evil. This book is about love and compassion and, despite the fact that it was written 150 years ago, it does not lose its relevance today and makes the reader think about many fundamental life issues.
Soslan Sosiev, Russia
Soslan Sosiev, a monumental artist from St. Petersburg, creates stunning large-scale artworks, relying on his work on the traditions of academism, modernism, and icon painting. Despite his young age — he is not even 30 years old — the artist raises many philosophical questions in his paintings. In his opinion, for a modern person, life experience is just the tip of the iceberg, because we have access to gigantic cultural layers of literature, cinema, poetry, a painting created before us. By communicating with them, we make it a part of ourselves, and thus everything that we have ever read and seen becomes part of our perception of the world. And the artist has the richest and most versatile tastes — just look at the list of his favorite authors and books! The artist recommends reading all the works of the indicated authors, but we will tell only about a few of them (otherwise this article will never end).
Joseph Brodsky. «Less than one»
The collection «Less than one» includes the poet’s famous essays: «Room and a Half», «Embankment of the Incurable», «Guide to the Renamed City» and others. These works are distinguished not only by their incredibly «tasty» writing language but also by the author’s view of St. Petersburg, native to Brodsky. They acquaint us with the worldview and memories of the writer and, being autobiographical, allow us to learn more about his fate and work.
Sergei Dovlatov. «The Suitcase»
Sergei Dovlatov is a writer, publicist, journalist. Like Joseph Brodsky, he emigrated from the USSR to the United States and there received recognition and fame. All his works are imbued with subtle irony and great philanthropy. According to Dovlatov, only white and only black does not exist: life is absurd. And he showed this absurdity like no other. «The Suitcase» is an autobiographical novel built around the departure of the protagonist from the USSR to the United States. Getting ready to go, he packs his suitcase and takes with him only a few items, but behind each of them there is a whole story, and behind each story there is a whole life.
Matsuo Basho. «Haiku»
Basho is a Japanese poet who gave the world the haiku genre. With minimal linguistic means, he penetrates into the essence of the moment that is happening in nature and life, prompting the reader to independent philosophical reflection. The poetry collection «Haiku» is the quintessence of oriental wisdom and worldview, and reading such books significantly enriches our understanding of life.
Ray Bradbury. «Fahrenheit 451»
The dystopia «Fahrenheit 451» is one of the most famous works of the incredibly prolific American science fiction writer Ray Bradbury. The novel describes a society of the future, in which books are prohibited, and «firefighters», including the main character Guy Montag, burn any tomes they find. But one day, as usual, Guy meets a girl who opens his eyes to the truth, and the hero is faced with a choice: to continue living as before, remaining in comfortable ignorance, or to take the risk and go out on a dangerous path in search of the truth, which could cost him his life.
Vincent Van Gogh. «Letters to Brother Theo»
The famous collection of Van Gogh’s letters to his brother is a unique work that allows us to look into the most hidden corners of the artist’s soul, appreciate his extraordinary literary talent and find out what enormous work and spiritual content stand behind each painting of this genius, not recognized during his lifetime. This book is about indomitable faith, search, painting, the power of talent, friendship, kindness and love. If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to fix it!
Lee K, South Korea
South Korean artist Lee K. combines graphic and oil painting techniques in his paintings to create emotional, poignant portraits. The minimalistic color palette allows him to concentrate on working out human emotions through facial expressions, and, according to the artist, the books of the South Korean journalist and screenwriter Kim Young-ha help him to understand the nature of these emotions deeper.
Kim Young-ha. «Nobody will know»
The collection includes thirteen short stories by a leading Korean writer of a new generation. Unlike his predecessors, he reveals the issues of individualism and alienation in his work, paying great attention to the psychology of his contemporaries. Kim Young-ha’s stories are easy to read, although the author writes in a variety of genres — from science fiction and detective to romance and mysticism.
