Manuel Saiz is a Spanish artist that explores notions of what it means to be an artist (and a human being) with unusual, often humorous perspectives. One of my favorite projects by him is, for example, Colossal Blog(2009), a blog written by him while he was an artist in residency in Rome, where he retells his experience “of being 8 months in Rome WITHOUT SEEING the Coliseum”. By avoiding the dominant figure of the Coliseum, he develops insightful, extremely original perspectives of what it means to travel and to create art, in a media-saturated society where so many things have been seen and done. Another fascinating project is If alive(2008-2026), an ongoing work where he has been making preparations for his 65th birthday, which will take place in 2026 and which he will celebrate at the Museum of Figueres (Girona, Spain). Another of my personal highlights, drastically different in nature, is The two teams team(2008), a work where “Two actors in a film set talk about the differences between film and video art productions until they get trapped in a new reality level” [see his website]. I first saw this video during the European Media Arts Festival in Osnabrueck this year and I am delighted to know that it will also be screened by Impakt, within the compilation “Visual Trickery”. Today I had a really interesting Skype conversation with him. Although I normally rework my interviews extensively, today I feel tempted to transcribe the written conversation for you just as it happened:

Miguel Escobar: Let me start off by asking you about the work that we will screen here. In your work “The two teams team” you explore the tension between media art and cinema in a rather unexpected way. What led you to explore this issue?

Manuel Saiz: After working for many years in video art, having my background in the fine arts, I decided to try to do a short film. I had many problems and inconveniences with it and that made me think about the differences with the field I was used to.

I wrote the dialogue based in this experience.

Miguel Escobar: I see. You have just published the book “101 Excuses. How Art Legitimises Itself ". How has the research and reflection needed for the writing of that book affected your work as an artist?

Manuel Saiz: I rather think that my work as an artist is to research and reflect and, as result of that, I had to write the book.The ideas and reflections for the book are taken from visits to shows lead by my interest as practicing artist

Miguel Escobar: Are you planning to write more books in the future along these lines?

Manuel Saiz: I have a few writing projects going on, that develop very slowly. I like to work in many things at the same time that grow organically, fueled by new experiences and ideas. I am writing a humorous novel right now, the story of an artists in an art residency in a space station.

Miguel Escobar: Sounds great, I would love to read it. And it's related to my next question... I find you 'collosal blog' project very exciting for several reasons. One of them is the way you use the blog as a medium. Do you plan to use blogs in the future as part of your artistic process... or as part of the artistic product?

Manuel Saiz: The Collosal blog is my first "serious" blog. I am very happy with it, because the way it helps to experience the project more intensively. I am going to publish it as a book now. I have a project I will do next spring that is suitable for a blog also, and consists of a trip around Europe, documenting a fictional train line.

Miguel Escobar: Are you often interviewed via Skype?

Manuel Saiz: This is the first time, and I have to say that I like it. It needs some typo correcting though.

Miguel Escobar: Of course. But I wanted to ask you... You are someone that explores “the relationship between Technics and Humankind, and in particular the impact of digital technologies on contemporary society.” [go to his website] In this light... how do you feel about being interviewed via Skype, in written English, by someone who is a native speaker of the Spanish language, such as yourself?

Manuel Saiz: I think this is life nowadays. I am interested in experiencing alienation, participate in activities that make you a different person, in which you can see yourself as a spectator. This helps you to understand who you are, and what's the meaning of your life. In this sense, to work in a different language to your own is very alienating. I think what I like of this Skype interviewing is exactly that, that you see your self right after you have spoken.

Miguel Escobar: Yes, it's very theatrical in a way. And the lack of spoken voice also feels a bit alienating to me, actually.

Manuel Saiz: I like that. It feels kind of scripted too.

Miguel Escobar: Absolutely. OK, next question. Your project If alive adds a humorous edge to the prediction of the future. How do you think the world would be like in 2026?

Manuel Saiz: In a way the project tries to avoid this question. I can say whatever I like the future to be without hesitation, because I have the "if alive" disclaimer, which in a way includes any one else. For the project I created three speculations about how I will be then: as a homeless, as a terminally ill, and as a successful retired golf-man. With this novel I am writing now, as it is sci-fi, I am more interested in speculate about society and arts in the future.

Miguel Escobar: How should festivals be in the future? How could festivals keep up with outer-space artistic residencies?

Manuel Saiz: My little experience in festivals makes me think that are more and more becoming a gathering of people that have the same interests. Very similar to Harley Davidson owners that want to ride with others like them.

Miguel Escobar: That sounds a bit decadent.

Manuel Saiz: There is something annoying about many of the art shows that I have seen recently and it is that most of the works, the content of the show, can be seen perfectly in a picture in a catalog. Artists do it this way in order to make them more reachable. But actually take the interest out of the shows. When I see a show that cannot be cataloged, I am moved. As far as the festivals offer something that cannot be transmitted in other way, they are safe.

Miguel Escobar: I think I have enough for the blog post. It's been a pleasure skyping with you today. If I am also alive, I hope I can interview you on your 65th birthday using some crazy new technology. Unless you become a retired golfer... I don't know much about golf.

Manuel Saiz: Please, come to the party. I hope to meet you personally at the festival and give you an invitation.