Exclusive Interview with Ana Kraš

She has been someone I have always had my eye on. I am a little (read a lot) obsessed with her ‘bon bon’ lamps – their brave color combinations, the care and time taken for each individual piece made. Her outfits make you want to get changed immediately, and her ability to laugh at herself is something to be admired. Yes – she is an absolute honey to look at, but what is even more attractive about Ana Kraš is what she does with her time – she designs and makes useful things for people to use and enjoy. Nice, we can celebrate that!

Miss Ana Kraš and I got to chat about her summer studio in Tuscany, the pros and cons between NYC and LA, and cooking “cabbage with egg pasta flakes and pepper” for friends.

Enjoy!

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Anyonegirl: Your accent is pretty cute, where is it from?
Ana Kraš : I am from Belgrade, Serbia, so is my accent.

Anyonegirl: Tell us about your life in NYC.
Ana Kraš : I have only spent one year in NYC so far. It’s very familiar, sometimes a bit too hectic for my taste, but I have my studio there which is my very favorite place in the world so I feel content being in that city at the moment.

Anyonegirl: You share a studio with other artists, what are the benefits of working in such an environment?
Ana Kraš : I used to be alone in the studio, but few months ago I invited two of my dear girlfriends Monika and Dani to share it with me and I must admit that I enjoy it much more now. I have always been a lonely wolf, but sometimes I found it would get too quiet there on my own. I work a lot, sometimes for 12 hours, and if I dont have any company I sometimes don’t say a word out loud for the entire day, which makes me dizzy once I leave the studio and enter the world outside. Also my favorite feeling is to work and know that someone else is close by working as well. It’s like being together but on our own at the same time.

Anyonegirl: Am I right to say you have just moved studios for the summer? Why did you decided to do this, and where is the new studio located?
Ana Kraš : I was invited to go to Tuscany to do an installation for Villa Lena, a new artist foundation that started this year. I was given a studio in the middle of olive forest to use while working on it. It’s so, so beautiful there.

Anyonegirl: Tell us about what you are making/creating/doing in your studio at the moment.
Ana Kraš : At the moment I am working on a new series of sidetables called ‘Drums.’ I am also extending that line into a baby crib series. I am working on my lamps, as always, drawings, and taking photographs, and I will soon start working on bigger wall pieces.

Anyonegirl: I really love the colour combinations you use in your work. Can you tell us about some artists/designers/people who you admire and are inspired by, and perhaps here we can see the allignment?
Ana Kraš : Thank you, I love colors and I love to use them freely and not think twice. I love so many different artists and their palettes. I adore Oskar Schlemmer and his colors and shapes.

Anyonegirl: When did you start taking photos?
Ana Kraš : Years ago. I love to document what’s around me.

Anyonegirl: What attracts/motivates you to pick your camera up?
Ana Kraš: I like moments in between two moments the most.

Anyonegirl: I watched a video that told me you went to LA and fell in love, do you ever wish to return to LA and work from there?
Ana Kraš : I do. I miss Los Angeles and each time I go there is a part of me questioning if I should move back. It’s very romantic and exotic there for me, palm trees and pastels, and sad in a charming way. But I dont like to drive everywhere and I am tired of moving so for now I will stay in NYC, and LA – maybe when it’s time to grow kids and veggies in my garden.

Anyonegirl: Best meal to cook for friends?
Ana Kraš : Oh I love to cook. I make cabbage with egg pasta flakes and pepper, I make soups such as Tomato Corn soup with dill, or I make fish. I pretty much make everything.

Anyonegirl: What music you are listening to at the moment?
Ana Kraš : Literally at the moment.. this.

Anyonegirl: Your most favourite day this summer has been….
Ana Kraš : This summer had so many beautiful days; kayaking in Stockholm,
riding on the atv’s through steep hills in Tuscany, and eating my mother’s spinach.

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You can see Ana Kraš’ beautiful “bon bon” lamps, objects, photography, and more here.