AMALIA ULMAN
AMALIA ULMAN is wearing the Rosa No.004. She is an artist and filmmaker living in New York City.
What is the first thing you do in the morning?
I have a German Shepherd mix teen dog, so the first thing I do is to look at his face. If he looks like a chupacabra, I know my day will be a bit difficult. If instead he looks handsome and peaceful I know I’m about to have a perfect day.
What is the last thing you do at night?
I make sure the door is ajar in case Gemi the cat wants to get in during the night to do her mysterious midnight dances around the plants on the windowsill.
Can you share some daily habits or rituals?
First, I send the dog on a walk. Then I turn the radio on and I sit on the armchair with my mate gourd. I ring a bell to let the cat know we’re alone saying: GIRLS ONLY! She flies to my lap and has her morning dose of Churu. Once she’s done, I sip on my mate and pet her until she decides it is time to start the day.
What should we be reading?
The book club I manage (Very Welcome Bookclub est. 2015) is currently reading White Dog by Romain Gary and I can’t recommend it enough.
What stands the test of time?
Animal friendship and good stories.
What is your perfect meal?
Anything Nick cooks.
What takes you to cloud 9?
Seeing my dog Variety Magazine frolic. Being on set.
Do you have a soundtrack to your life?
My brain sounds like those youtube compilations named 1 HOUR of 1920s 1930s music. #flapper
Where would you find your doppelgänger?
Georgia and Xinjiang (so I’ve been told).
What is good design?
I have no idea. I famously have bad taste.
Where do you find good design?
For wonderfully bad design that I find immensely sexy: China.
What is dear to your heart?
My memories with Holga the cat. Being on set.
Where do you want to go?
Harbin during the Ice Festival. Mongolia to ride a horse on the steppes. A slow, tired, sleepy horse though, I only started riding last year.
What is a rule that should never be broken?
Following one’s intuition.
What is a rule that should always be broken?
Any rule made to protect capital over humans.
What did you have for breakfast?
Eggs. But on my birthday: an orange juice, a black coffee and a croissant.
What is your favorite word in any language?
I like the words for glitter in Spanish, “brillantina” and “purpurina”.
What is most difficult to find in contemporary culture?
Honesty.
What do you find most exciting in contemporary culture?
Random people being creative online for fun.
What thoughts currently occupy you?
The script for my third film. Writing more short stories. Writing for fun.
What is your favorite animal?
I love donkeys because they are silly looking.
What was the first piece of cultural work that really mattered to you?
Watching the Crumb documentary as a kid.
What do you still wish to learn?
I took up horsemanship last year and this year I got really into dog training… I want to get my degree in Animal Behaviour and I want to pick up Chinese again.
What is still a mystery?
Animal communication and their sense of the aesthetic.
What is your favorite representation of simplicity?
An impeccable meow.
What is your favorite representation of complexity?
A cat successfully doing an impossible seeming jump.
Where is happiness found?
Sharing food or water with an animal. An animal deciding to take a nap with you . Being on set.
What makes you feel nostalgic?
Playing in the ruins of the Spanish civil war. When my neighborhood was for sailors and prostitutes. Spain before the European Union.
What do you find humorous?
Argentinian insults.
What is your favorite slogan?
America runs on Dunkin.
What is modern?
Asking animals their opinion.
What is a distraction?
Publicity.
What should we listen to?
A dog snoring.
What is your motto?
A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando.
What is your favorite mistake?
Being impulsive.
What is the best cult classic?
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey 1999
What are you bored by?
Contrarianism, cynicism.
Any last words?
Free Palestine.