A new online series of candid conversations between artists is breathing fresh life into what was becoming a jaded format and massive viewing figures have followed. We talked to its co-founder Rebecca Greene about just what makes Art To Art so special.
In an increasingly digital age, the well of authenticity has just about run dry. Artists are rapidly deprived of spaces to create, grow and interact. But just when you think all hope is lost, a spark of creative genius reignites the path to grassroots connectivity, freeing artists from the inhibitions of a contractual obligation to confess their favourite chicken roll fillings and where their go-to Chinese takeaway spot is.
‘Art to Art’, the new YouTube and Instagram series, breathes new life into artistic conversation in a naturally refreshing, meaningful manner. The goal is to unravel ‘the string of connection’ between art and life through unfiltered conversations that unfold between two artists sitting down and having a chat together. Or a ‘heart to heart’- if you will. The conversations are completely off-the-cuff, with director and producer Rebecca Breene insisting on as little instruction as possible to let the magic of creative freedom take the lead.
“The conversation is completely natural,” Rebecca tells me “[The artists] ask [each other] different questions than a journalist would, for example. And then they open up in different ways.”
Art to Art has kicked off with exceptionally strong numbers, reaching over 600,000 people across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, although there are only three episodes published to date. The series has featured guests such as Iona from Cliffords, Paul Banks from Madra Salach, and folk singer Joshua Burnside, with many more exciting guests to follow in upcoming episodes.
Initially, Art to Art was meant to manifest as a permanent physical studio space based in Dublin city. The idea came to Rebecca while she was working in a podcasting and filming studio on Pearse Street. She envisioned the space doubling as an open collaborative, interactive space in the evenings for artists to use.
“The tagline was actually “Your space to create.”” she laughs as she recalls Art to Art’s humble beginnings.
However, the studio space closed down shortly after, and the idea became stumped. Left with no physical location to flesh out her vision, Rebecca was faced with an internal battle of how and when to make the idea manifest elsewhere.
“I was going to sleep every night and I couldn’t get the idea out of my head,” she admits “The idea was paralysing me for two and a half years.”
“I was getting sick of being one of those people that was like “Man, I have this really good idea” and then not doing it.”
Luckily, courage and creative flow struck at just the right moment, and the idea for Art to Art was put into motion by the end of October last year. Since then, it has been all go, with the first three episodes shot in Dick Mack’s in Dingle during Other Voices weekend. The Big Romance on Parnell Street has also been used as a set to shoot Episode Four of Season One.
Rebecca tells me about the serendipitous nature of the Dick Mack’s set where it all kicked off: “I was just looking for a place to film. And [Dick Mack’s] were like, yeah, we love that idea… you can have the room… I was like, oh my God, this is the perfect room!”
The vibrant, colourful pub snug setting, with ambient pub antics filtered through in the background, provided the perfect take off for Art to Art’s beginnings to come to life. The guests’ conversations flow so naturally in each episode, it is easy to feel like you’re across the table having a pint with them.
“I’m trying to let go of the idea of a crisp, clean podcast-style interview,” Rebecca confesses “I was just thinking of perfection for so long… and it was so stifling to me starting this in the first place.”
The Art to Art series is a refreshing representation of the beauty that can emerge from letting go of the control and certainty that defines scripted, snappy interviews. The moments that have defined the episodes’ conversations so far could not have occurred otherwise.
Participants are asked to provide some of their own art, as well as a piece that has inspired them, and then swap material to review ahead of the interview. Each person must also dig deep into their notes app and unroot something they are willing to share with the audience and fellow artist during the conversation.
“It requires a bit of vulnerability on their part as well,” Rebecca observes “A lot of vulnerability, especially the Notes App part…”
The openness embraced by the Art to Art conversations is what makes the series stand out from the rest. Rebecca reflects on how it feels to watch the string of connection unravel between two creatives in real time:
“It’s really interesting to hear the random tangents that can happen if they’re just sitting having a chat,” She reflects “There’s moments that come out where I’m sitting in the room and I’m like, oh my God … it’s a bit magical.”
Accompanied behind the scenes by brother Daniel Breene as videographer and editor, the series is destined to grow from strength to strength. The duo wants to incorporate more cross-career discussions into the series, broadening the scope of artists they have as guests, and diversifying the conversations they publish.
“There’s a responsibility to make sure that the people on the series [are from] across a wide range of genres and disciplines,” Rebecca notes “And that the people are diverse… that all brings different perspectives. Which is something I’m really trying to keep in mind with the people I’m asking.”
From the series’ first implementation right through to the thriving project it has become, sincerity and authenticity have always been at the forefront. Thinking about the future of the project, Rebecca wants to commit to upholding these values at every turn and letting the rest unfold as it may.
“It all kind of happened at the perfect time,” she reflects “Everything just lined up perfectly for me. Including the reasoning behind why I was doing it and when the drive came to me. So, it all just feels really natural and right.”
Filming for Season Two took place in London in March, with a miniseries recorded featuring artists from this year’s Borderline Festival.
Words: Leanne Gleeson
You can connect with the Art to Art series via their Instagram (@arttoartseries) and TikTok (@arttoart.series). For full-length episodes, see their YouTube page (Art to Art Series).
