DOM Interview

A complete artist in all aspects, Damian Francis Wagner undoubtedly synthesizes contemporary art through his music, paintings and sculptures. With a commendable resumeé that includes projects with Madonna, Gucci and for Doug Aitken, Wagner is in Brasilia to celebrate the great Brazilian artist Dulcina de Moraes. Today, starting at 7 pm at Teatro Dulcina, Damian Wagner and O Grivo (from Minas Gerais) join forces to pay a tribute to the actress who has modernized the performing arts in Brazil.

The show DOM {gift} - Music + Performance + Art involves music, sound design, performance, painting and other resources to communicate to the public what the artists think about Dulcina de Moraes. "When I got in touch with her work and saw that she was an incredible and unique woman that challenged the government and its ways, I started having this internal dialogue about her," says Damian Wagner. According to him, when he was invited to perform in her memory, even though he felt honored, he thought that the language would be a barrier to communicate his feelings to the audience, since he doesn't speak Portuguese. Therefore, music was the solution to the problem. "Music is the best way to express feelings. Having the group O Grivo in this project only improves the spectacle," he adds.

Fond of strong and smart women that are ahead of their time, Damian Wagner saw in diamonds a visual representation of Dulcina's personality. "She was a very special woman, like a real diamond," he praises. The artist not only expects to share knowledge through DOM, but also learn from the experience. "I believe that after each work I come out a little different. I like projects that push me beyond," he confesses.

And there aren't challenges that he hasn't exceed. Born in Minneapolis, son of parents who valued art, Damian Wagner always felt very drawn to music, painting and arts in general. The interest in art soon became more important and at the age of 14 he joined the Minneapolis College of Art and Design where he improved his knowledge. Whether it's music, painting, sculpture or even architecture - something he claims to be passionate about-, Wagner never stops.

This is not the first time that Damian Wagner has been in Brazil, although it's his first visit to Brasília. He was here last year, invited by his friend Doug Aitkens, to develop a work that captured the sounds of the earth in partnership with the Institute Inhotim (MG). Aware of all sounds surrounding him, Wagner concludes that every place has a different tone. "Brasilia is curious because you can hear sounds like you'd hear in New York, at the same time you hear the areas unique sonic footprint." Intimate with Oscar Niemeyer's work, Damian Wagner wasn't all that surprised with the architecture of the capital. "The photos that I've studied, however, don't show the details, and once you actually see the buildings up close you can see that Niemeyer is a true master. The city is smaller than I expected, but it has a wonderful culture", he concludes.

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