10 Questions - Anya Ustaszewski
Published 27 April 2009
Continuing our new 10 questions series which digs a little deeper into the hearts and minds of some of the artists taking part in this year's showcase. This week: Anya Ustaszewski
'''Ten Questions'''
'''Name:''' Anya Ustaszewski
'''Role:''' Composer/Sonic Artist/Musician
'''Showcase Performance:''' Metallicum
'''1. Where do you find inspiration for your work?'''
Everywhere! I’m autistic and have hypersensitive hearing so I hear a lot of sounds that other people don’t really notice. I also tend to notice the very musical qualities that can be present in every day sounds and I like to make use of these in my music so that people can experience sound in the same way that I do.
Some of my favourite sound sources include metal cake tins, ornamental bells, fizzy drinks cans, gravel and heavy doors.
'''2. What has been your most memorable performance?'''
I performed some of my dance music at Liberty 2008 in the Heart n Soul Club Zone. It was a wonderful day and I felt so privileged that I was asked to perform at such a high-profile event.
I also very much enjoyed the final performance of Drake Music and Furtherfield’s Connecting Across Difference project. We worked with 3 different schools who performed brilliantly on the day and I feel so lucky that I was able to be a part of this project.
'''3. Where in the world would you most like to perform… and why?'''
I’d like to perform in any location that would make interesting changes to sound - so that I can use the venue itself as an instrument in the performance. Some of my ideas for this include submerged under water, underground caves, nuclear bunkers, outer space…..
'''4. Who/what has been the greatest influence on your creative output?'''
I am very much influenced and inspired by the work of Stockhausen, IRCAM, Jonathan Harvey, Aphex Twin, and the lovely Beethoven!
I am also fortunate to have had some wonderful music tutors including the composers Martin Butler and Sam Hayden and the late Professor David Osmond-Smith.
'''5. What has been the highlight of your career so far?'''
Performing at Liberty 2008 was a wonderful experience. I also performed a flute and piano recital at the House of Commons. It is an incredibly beautiful building and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to perform there.
(It also amused me when the security staff scanned my bag and said “Stop! You have a large metal object in your bag!”. I replied, “erm, that’s my flute…..”)
'''6. Who would you most like to work with…and why?'''
It would be amazing to work with IRCAM. They do such amazing work and make incredibly innovative use of technology and have fantastic facilities. If I could work at IRCAM, ideally in collaboration with Jonathan Harvey and Aphex Twin, that would be a dream come true!
'''7. What is the best job you have ever had?'''
I’ve really enjoyed all of the opportunities that I’ve had to perform my own music and also to participate in autism advocacy. I really hope that I will be able to continue my work in these areas and hopefully have increased opportunities for this in the future.
'''8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?'''
Well, it is difficult to say as the performing arts isn’t exactly known for its job security! Ideally, I would like to be a (successful!) well-respected full time freelance composer / sonic artist and musician and I would also like to have made progress with my autism advocacy and hopefully have at least one book published.
I’m particularly interested in experimental and modernist music, so if I could become well established in this field (and be able to make a liveable income from it!) that would be wonderful.
'''9. What makes you happiest about performing?'''
When I’m performing, I sometimes feel like I’m transported to a different place. I feel like I’m part of the music - almost like I’m an instrument - and I like being able to hear and feel my music around me and to blend in so that I am part of that sound.
I also like the excitement that I get from performing and I like seeing other people enjoying my music.
'''10. What concerns you most about the state of the Performing Arts Sector in the UK?'''
My two main concerns are lack of funding and barriers that can be faced by disabled artists.
It can be very difficult for the performing arts sector to find funding. I have to admit that I never quite understand why. I know some people might argue that performing arts is not a ‘real’ job and is not a necessity for life.
I fundamentally disagree with this. We need to be able to express ourselves creatively and to be able to sometimes escape and lose ourselves in art or performance - I strongly believe that this is important for mental and emotional wellbeing and, if evidence is needed, it is well know that music and art therapy can be of great benefit to a variety of people.
As a disabled artist, I experience a lot of problems with barriers. For me personally, a large part of the problem is that a lot of people achieve well in music by ‘networking’, but this is difficult for me as my autism means that I have significant difficulty with socialising tasks and also with communication - sometimes I have episodes of involuntary mutism.
