Introducing you to the world of Dodo Marzipano - a Berlin-based artist whose work masterfully blends nostalgia, humour, and a touch of rebellious beauty. With a pastel palette that feels like a warm memory and a style that combines the elegance of Art Deco with the boldness of the 80s and 90s, Dodo’s art transports us to a world that’s simultaneously familiar and fantastical. In this interview, Dodo shares his journey from concept to canvas, his inspirations behind his unique aesthetic and the evolution of his style. Want to find out how an artist balances their pursuit of beauty with their passion for the unconventional? Well, you’re in for a treat, so get comfortable, and let’s get personal with Dodo Marzipano!

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Share your thoughts on pursuing a creative career, despite potential risks, versus more conventional career paths.

Embracing a creative career isn't a conscious choice for me; it's more like finding what truly brings joy and fulfilment to my life. Picking art over a more traditional path feels natural. Interior design, my other passion, often intertwines with my art. 

 

My advice: follow your strengths; they bring lasting fulfilment and intensity that conventional paths might lack.

Describe your quest for uniqueness in your art. How do you distinguish your work from others?

My choice of acrylic over oil paint gives my work a distinctive visual appeal, adding a unique aesthetic to my technique and the overall outcome. Beyond that, my art blends contrasting emotions - a mix of vintage aesthetics with modernity, humour entwined with depth, crafting a harmonious and engaging visual narrative. In the conventional art world, incorporating beauty and bold nostalgic glamour is a form of rebellious expression that I passionately pursue.

Share your sources of inspiration. What are your primary sources of inspiration?

The past is a perpetual source of inspiration for me. It's that feeling of being transported to another time while reminiscing about bygone moments that I aim to capture in my art. This nostalgia seeps into my colour palette and style, creating a bridge between the elegance of art deco and the boldness of 80s and 90s postmodernism. Each artwork manifests my interests - nostalgic glamour, theatrical settings, and a blend of vintage and contemporary influences, echoing where my thoughts reside. 

Explain the evolution of your artistic style and your aspirations through this technique.

My artistic style is in constant flux, following the paths I'm keen to explore. I view my paintings as sketches, often experimenting directly on the canvas to visualize new ideas or techniques. I'm currently delving into integrating more objects and interior scenes into predominantly portrait-based pieces. Simplifying shapes and blending techniques are also focal points. The journey ahead? An exciting new series reflecting my current state of mind and life's experiences.

What are your views on the 'mad artist' stereotype and its relation to creativity and artistic success?

Success in art, like in life, unexpectedly happens when contentment reigns and you're not fixated on outcomes. Sometimes, the 'mad artist' stereotype tries to creep in, but it's essential to swiftly move past that mindset to safeguard your self-worth. Madness doesn’t suit anyone in the long run. In Germany, Grape Fanta is named "Fanta Madness," and that's about the extent of madness I allow in my life! 

Describe five elements or aspects of your art for someone unable to see it.

My art palette leans towards cool tones - cold pinks, lilacs, and mint - sometimes adding milder hues like vanilla yellow or warm pinks for balance. Humour subtly sneaks into my work, adding charm without going overboard. There's an underlying bittersweet joy, a longing for a past that never was. The beauty in my art serves as a counterbalance to the world's less pleasant aspects. I believe that allowing art to be beautiful in both approach and technique breaks away from sterility and generalised simplification - that's a change I aim to bring.

If you could become one of your creations or characters for a day, which would it be and why?

If I were to embody one of my paintings, I'd choose "I’m not the kind of guy who just gives up like that" - the figure on the left holding the drink. It represents the type of enjoyable night out that resonates with me right now. 

 

What drink will it be? Maybe a Fanta Madness Martini. 

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We hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the creative mind of Dodo Marzipano as much as we did. Having the ability to create art that’s both personal and universally resonant is nothing short of inspiring. The fascinating cool tones of his unique palette sure make it easy to find the hidden beauty in everything! If this conversation resonated with you, be sure to explore more of Marzipano's work, and keep an eye out for his upcoming projects.