Speed Date / MICHAELA BEDNÁROVÁ, textile designer, puojd
Where are you from?
Kežmarok.
Where did you study?
AFAD.
Who was your best teacher?
My mum (primary art school and then high school of art). At AFAD I have positive memories about Mr. Debnár (the course of design), Weisslechner (jewellery) and Ms. Fedorová whose short stay in the studio of textile design helped me find the path towards what I do.
Who were/are your parents?
My mum is an academic painter, a skilled textile craftswoman, and a teacher; my dad is a trained printer with a penchant for puppetry and he writes feuilletons too. They both have been retired for quite some time. 🙂
What don’t you enjoy in design?
When something is overdone and bad colour combinations.
And on the contrary, what do you?
I enjoy genre overlaps, cooperations and continuity in the lifelong work of a designer. And I like minimalism in architecture.
What do you listen to?
I have a Spotify playlist titled „tearjerkers“ and I listen to it when I’m blue or in love. People say it’s mainly dream pop, but it’s mixed with Radiohead and Beyoncé. And then I like music that makes me want to dance.
Your favourite film or cartoon?
French and Italian films are the best.
Who do you respect as an authority in and out of your field?
Juraj Straka – he’s a hard worker who has come a long way in textile design. But he’s not an authority, he’s a buddy :).
What thing did you last buy?
Is coffee a thing?
Do you buy professional literature? What was the latest book?
I’d say exceptionally when I am abroad; I reach for a book on subcultures or fashion, you know, things that are harder to get in here.
Do you vote?
I do now.
Who throws best parties?
I do!
Your favourite dome?
Surprisingly, I have one – it’s in the Košice’s synagogue.
Party dress. Made by…?
Last time I tentatively went to a singles party in a dress by Pavol Dendis, but it found me no boyfriend. I suspect it wasn’t because of the dress…
Hero from the past?
Winnetou.
Best/nicest house?
The old burgher houses in the Spiš region. But modern architects are not bad at all as well.
Do you have any stereotypes when you work? How do they show?
Well, you say? 🙂
What’s on your desktop?
California.
Best exhibition/artwork?
It’s impossible to point out just one.
What do you respect both from the local and foreign design scene? And why?
I respect when someone takes a decision to make a living as a designer without stopping being an artist and perpetually growing.
Morals or money?
Both.
Extraordinary book?
Actually I don’t read so much… #shame
Optimist, pessimist, nihilist?
It can vary from day to day, but being a nihilist is probably hardest.
Do you have any hobby?
I’m a fanatic mushroom picker. And I go on trips of any sort.
Solo or in a collective?
It depends on what. I prefer dancing by myself, but I wouldn’t take up a residence alone.
Slovakia as the Promised Land?
Yes, what else can I say? 🙂