Artist
Name : Anissa
Nickname : Anny Morticia
Location : Oran, Algeria
Style : Various
Defying the
forbidden is the sweet sin Anny Mortissia has been committing. Behind
the tomboy hides a young woman whose attractiveness and talents are extremely
enchanting and phantasmagorical.
An express interview that will, hopefully, give you an idea on one of
the rare chicks who has the guts to do what she's doing. An Algerian girl
who enjoys provoking and challenging the borders. Is it due to her fine
taste for Le Marquis de Sade? What shall I say! That's the question …"
Hail Marquise
let's start from the beginning. How n when did u start painting? If I'm
not talking crap, you started very young? What did the world of Anny Mortissia
look like ten years ago?
Hey everyone! I've always liked drawing, but I got really interested when
I was around 14/15. Anny Mortissia was a tomboy who liked beating kids,
travelling a lot and having shit loads of fun.
But you've
then opted for a more fairy-like, phantasmagorical and satanic world.
There's a huge gap between the 2 styles … why this fascination for
dark arts?
It's coz this is the only way I can express myself the way I really want
to, and make my dreams a reality besides doing what I enjoy most: attacking
the way stupid insignificant people perceive things …
You're
an autodidact… what magic power made you get to the sort of art you're
doing today?
My life in this Bled (country) has opened my eyes... as simple as that!
Correct
me if I'm wrong, but do you get inspiration from works by J.P.Fournier,
Royo and Vallejo?
I'm a big fan of Mangas, and horror/gore movies. I think that's my biggest
source of inspiration.
You've
been in "Les Beaux Arts" (School of Arts) for the last couple
of years. Do u think it's improved your perception of art and helped the
progress and evolution of your style? Your style isn't very appreciated
in that type of milieu anyways… too morbid for some, a bunch of nonsense
for others! This despite Goya being taught in the 3rd year, right?
I used to think I didn't have any talent. I drew just like that, sudden
unexpected desires! I never thought I was destined to be an artist…
yeah! But "Les Beaux Arts" allowed me to improve, and gain more
confidence, even if my style isn't accepted! This is what I find soo cool
about committing the forbidden ;) but I don't care, the world's changed,
you gota open your eyes!
I don't know for Goya though, I'll tell you when I've finished my 3rd
year!
When I
saw your drawings I was like "fuck man…!" they all got
different styles from one another. You jump from a "Fantastic"
to a "Dark" style, or a purely Antichristian or Satanic art.
How would u define your style?
I couldn't define my style, as I haven't developed it yet. Yes, each drawing
is different; I draw whatever goes through my mind, whatever I feel like
at the time!
There's
something quite paradoxical about your works: Christ is a recurrent theme
either as a symbol "an upside down cross" (which isn't actually
a symbol of ante-Christ as some might believe, but a Christian cross symbolising
the crucifixion of St Pierre) or a crucified Christ, burning in the flames
of Satan. How about that beautiful canvas of crucified Jesus, half dead
in a vast desert where there's light coming out of the sky. First why
Christ? Do you hate Christ? Which I'd be tempted to say is wrong anyways
coz you seem to be attracted by Christianity…
An upside down cross is sacrilege for Christians, so if you were anti-Christian,
you'd wear this symbol. Anyway, to answer your question, to me Jesus simply
represents religion generally (I have got no hatred towards him in particular).
I criticize religions coz they're "the opium of humanity". Soon
I'm gona be attacking another religion, and u'll see it's gona be the
shit!
If I had to choose a religion, it would be Christianity anyways …
A few
months ago there was a scandal in this country. Something that annoyed
radical Muslims very much: the fact that there are 150 active churches
here in Algeria. What do you think of people embracing other religions
than Islam?
What I think is crystal clear: every human being has the right to choose
his own way of life and what religion to practice. There's one god for
all anyways, and I'd rather keep my opinions for myself.
Let's
get back to business. Your drawings show sensuality that's both beautiful
and cruel at the same time. Are you keen on Romanticism?
Ehhh!! Well, in my private life I'm actually very romantic. It might be
why there's hints of it in my works…
Eros,
Thanatos: love and death are intimately linked in one of your works. Trying
to scoff the forbidden or there is more to it?
It's much deeper; I think that love is, as you said, intimately linked
to it; true love sooner or later ends with death. I gota admit that I
also really like scoffing the forbidden hahaha!
I've seen
some of your drawings, as some of them are not in the gallery, and I've
noticed that women are omni-present in your works. Judith N@thing said
once: "I'm a girl, and the role of women in a patriarchal world is
very important to me." Do you agree with her?
It's quite ambiguous. The world's changed, and the role of women is more
important and more imposing now. It's not just defined as the role of
a mother or a wife.
You told
me sometime ago that your new creations tend less towards extreme Eroticism,
and are more oriented towards romantic Eroticism. So is the anti-Christian
wave of your beginnings less put forward now? (It's an impression I have...).
Has the turbulence of your younger years been attenuated now? And is it
a result of the "Casserole" aspect of black-metal?
NO, my works are getting more extreme and more hardcore, you'll see! Of
course, there'll be a nice side, and so I'll do more romantic works as
well, hahaha! I'm more determined than ever…
Music allows me to open my mind and soul; I love it!
Talking
about eroticism, Picasso in answering a query by students who wanted to
know if there's a difference between art and eroticism, very seriously
said that there was no difference. Do you agree with him?
I think he's absolutely right! I think there's no borderline: art and
eroticism are one and the same!
Lets'
talk a little bit about literature. I think some of your favourite authors
are Sade, Anne Rise and Baudelaire. Who else? If we asked you to choose
one phrase or extract from one of your favourite readings, what would
it be?
Ohh yes, I like "Le Marquis de Sade" and love his writings.
I admire him because he defied his time. Among my favourite authors there's
also Homer, Shakespeare and Stephen King, but there's many others as well.
The only thing that stayed engraved in my mind is from the movie "Devil's
Advocate", I remember the passage where he said: "look but don't
touch, touch but don't taste, taste but don't swallow". I adore this,
it's exactly what I used to think, and it really struck me when I heard
it!
Also,
we've heard that u're really into tattoos and piercing?
True!! I like it very much. I already got a piercing, and I wana get many
more, hahaha
Apart
from painting, you and your sister Lynda design and make homemade metal
t-shirts. You guys also make typical metal accessories, when is the store
for then? On a more serious note, are you planning to make these products
available for people who're interested?
Hahaha, this 's funny! I don't think I'll get a store, but I wouldn't
mind making some for a limited number of people, yeah why not! You know
I live in Oran, I don't think there's that many people who are interested
anyways!
You've
been in Oran for some time, how's your daily life over there as a goth
and a hard rock fan? Is there a big metal community in Oran?
It's really hard, but I think it would be the case in any Muslim country
especially for a girl. There's very few n you can count them on your fingers!
Do you
have any projects on the way (illustrations, exhibitions…)?
First I gota finish University, I wouldn't mind doing a few exhibitions
along the way. I'll let you know anyways…
Anything
to add dearest Marquise?
Thanks to everyone, I never thought my drawings would be of interest to
anyone, so I'm really happy. I wana add something, you'll see, soon Anny
Mortissia 's gona make a lot of noise again! Hahaha, ciao
Interview by +Ben+ Translated in english by mouhafouha