Interview with eowyn

Time to get to know a bit more about eowyn. You've seen the work, let's hear a little something about the person.

Give us a short introduction about you.
Oh well, let me introduce you with the origin of my name, and then maybe you can see me from your own interpretation.
My name is Fretty Carolina Aulia Hutapea. And I have also Baptist name, Fretty Megawati Natalia Hutapea. The first one is the name that is written on my birth certificate. Fretty is from my father's and mother's name. Fre is from Fresley and Tty is from Netty. So Fretty is from a simple marriage of Fre and Tty Carolina is from the hospital I was born, St. Carolus Hospital. Aulia is because my mother loves that name. Aulia means dear friends of prophets and saints. Hutapea is my last name, my father's last name. My parents came from North Sumatra. Hutapea means the village in the valley. It's true; my father lived there for so many years.

The other name, Megawati was given from my grandfather from my mother's side because he wanted me to be like the daughter of our first president who once eventually became our president, Megawati Soekarno Putri. And Natalia was given from my (fav) grandfather from my father's side because simply he loved that name.

So what do you think of me now?

Where did you grow up? Tell us a little story about the young you.
I grew up in Jakarta. The little me was very quiet. I guess no difference from me now. I was very closed with my (fav) grandfather. He died when I was 11, and I didn't get to his funeral. Still so sad of the fact I couldn't go to his funeral. I used to be very closed with my father when I was a little, but as I am growing, I am not that closed anymore. I was a loner (and maybe I am still), so I didn't have much friends. I did have best friend, who was also my neighbor. Oh, I used to drag one English book when I was little because of that I more into English (until now) rather than my mother tongue (bahasa-Indonesian language). Hum pretty much that's lil me

What aspect of yourself really stands out? Any peculiar habits or odd fascinations?
I think most people think I am a depressing person. Moppey and-or moody. Sensitive and passionate, in a good way to say it. I think I am just "that" into with my emotions and I apparently lucky because I know how to articulate them with something that I fond to do. Like writings, making photographs. So maybe that's the aspect of me that really stands out.

Peculiar habits? Hum...odd fascinations...hum...I don't know what the limit of people to say peculiar is and-or odd. Do you think smelling the scent of a paper from a new book can be called odd?


What is that common every day thing that can really make your day?
Very sweet question! For me, to get a surprise from your love one. That will easily make my day

Is there a typical topic, story or concept that fuels your creations? Where does that fascination come from?
Yes. Anything. Life-love-stories-movies-fights-poems-accidents-job-dreams-addictions-angers-fears-...anything!

Are you part of a collective or group? Would you recommend it to others and why?
No. I am a solo

Visual artists and music is like cookies and milk, does music do anything for you?
Yes, they are my friends. The ones that help me to reach the "click".


Which artists really influence you?
Hum, let see. I always think writers, actors/actresses, musicians, and architects are also artists. I get really strongly influence from Carl Gustav Jung, Frank Owen Gehry, Antoni Gaudi, Coop-Himmelblau, Zaha Hadid, Alvar Aalto, Rene Zellweger (hope the spelling is right), Pollock, Picasso, Dali, Coldplay, Radiohead, Metallica, Neruda and Sylvia Plath (although she only wrote one book, that one book inspired me a lot!)


Which artists do you consider to be the great ones of this time?
Hum...this is hard because I am very open to any new ones. As I was educated in Architecture, so for me maybe Gehry. He has a VERY significant style, concept, and for me they strike deeper than just architecture. His works are amazingly can describe as an intertwining of a great poetic wind, light-shadows, colors and movement. Yet it tells the story of architecture with rigid structure, and correct math. Isn't it beautiful to see math dances with art?

How would you describe your style?
Hum I never can describe it by my own words. Judging from artists that influence me maybe you would know. In an easy way maybe concept that lies within the artwork for me is more than important than the technique. Techniques help but concept is the soul to an artwork. Without it, it is just some nice color palette. Nothing more.


Is there something specific that sparked your creative side?
Hum...that's love count?

What's your opinion about traditional media? Is it an advantage to have experience with real pencils, paint or conventional camera?
Oh yes, for me traditional media is a very strong media rather than to non traditional. The classic venue of pencils...paints...they make that "real" feeling. Like when you see a painting, the immense of sparkling paint dropped to the canvas, it felt like you are seeing the painter does that in front of you. It has deeper connection to the artist behind; at least that's my opinion.

On the creative side, what are you trying to achieve? Is there a reachable goal you've put your focus on?
For me there are two sides of achievements. One is emotional achievement. My emotional achievement is to be at the place I need-want to be. And that is abstractly defined as a place where I fully feel as a complete, I am a big believer of Jung's said years ago. Complete means I don't get easily off-balanced and charged by critiques, when my techniques are fully developed, and still being myself. The other one is, well, to get acknowledgment from the experts and all that jazz. It would be such a goal for an actor to receive an oscar, and so it would be such a goal for me to receive the acknowledgment. Either in my field of work, architecture-design, and photography and-or writing.


Do you strive to be as versatile as possible or do you stick to one thing?
I strive to be me. Seriously. So either it is versatile and-or stick to one thing, I strive to be me. It is hard for one to be honest "at least" to oneself, so I am trying to do that.


Is there a certain ritual that takes place before you start working on something?
Ritual, hum maybe go to movies, listen to songs that reflect my mood, or write something, poem and-or short stories. Or talk with my best friend. Or go sight-seeing/new place with strong vibe of cultures.


How do you work? Describe the process you go through.
There is no process really. In my field of work, architecture, I have to know what the client wants and my own inspiration to work around the project, then usually I do some sketches, then I try to draw those sketches with CAD, and maybe when I have time I would transmit it with SketchUP. In photography, I just shoot. When it reaches the peak, I would shoot everyday. But when it's low, well some in a week. Then I will do adjustments with PS, and ask some opinions from friends. With writings, I just write. I think I need an editor


What equipment do you use to create your work?
Pretty much my brain-heart and some tools, camera, soft wares (CAD-PS-SketchUP-Notepad-Winamp)

Have you been educated in what you do? Where did you study and how much do you profit from it?
Yes, I studied at the University of Indonesia, majored at Architecture. And I do have profit like a lot. It is the place where I literally got brainwashed. In a good way of course. I got to be taught to be very open, and try to think outside the box. I got to be taught to be very sensitive and very conceptual. I got to use all of my senses, and it opened my emotional way of thinking and absorbing work specially art and architecture. And it gave me profit on which I work now, in work I have to learn to be very realistic and technically right, and to work that against the things that have been taught to me is such an amazing thing. Complex and the whole fiasco intrigue me

Wich programs do you use and what do you use them for?
Hum I have already answered this one

How do you work on improving yourself? Any secrets you'd like to share?
It is simple really, just try to be open. When someone says what they think about your work, try to listen to it. I know it's hard, sometimes I might lose it and got really "wtf!", but I guess everyone has each own interpretation and in all times the difference of interpretation really helps. And I think as much as I am afraid to do it, I have to try new things, see new things, try not to "feel safe", and have the courage to explore more. At the same time, it is important for me to stay one's manner. Being polite and sweet is not that "corny". And being friends. I kinda dig that It is very healthy emotionally and creatively. And, this is important, appreciate fellow artists/friends and ALWAYS bring out the best in people.

Sorry...here I go again...cheesy

Do you work in the creative industry? Describe your job or the work you do.
I think I have already answered this too

What makes your job so much fun?
The people, the idea, the creative mood, the swinging unpredictable deadlines, and the madness of concept bring to life. Ah...makes you want to scream sometimes!

What is the most exciting (commercial) project you've worked on? What made it stand out?
A cottage project in Lombok which is ashamed the project was cancelled due to money problems, a furniture shop-boutique project (almost all of their franchises), a (remodeling) house turned into fashion boutique which is also ashamed because the project was cancelled, and the last is remodeling for my parent's house which for me is exciting because this is my very first "solo" project and not only the architecture also the interior design!(predicted to be finished by April 2006)

Describe your dream job. Where would you love to let loose your creativity?
My dream job is to work independently and work for my passion! And to be honest, I am still confused where my passion is. Many said photography; sometimes I feel architecture-design...but to think again its photography. For me dream job is where I can be myself, where I can be passionate no matter what people say, where also I can get lotsa of cash and where I can be happy!


Any final words for the readers?
Final words...enjoy your life - be true to your heart - take all the chances - be courage and sweet - be strong and fragile - and most important love who you are. If you don't have the heart for yourself and busy to please people, no one will ever see the real you.