Where do you live?
Believe it or not, I currently live in a room above my art school with my husband but very soon we will go back to our beautiful renovated (at last!) house in old Nicosia!
Best childhood memory?
Endless daydreaming and flower-eating, spending most of my time in Takis Zempylas park, and of course “mud skating” (yes – it’s exactly what it sounds!)
Most frequented restaurant and absolute favourite dish? What food would you really turn your nose up to?
If AVO counts as a restaurant, that’s the one I most frequently visit. Best food: a hot halloumopitta. Worst: a cold one!
What did you have for breakfast?
A piece of aunt Stavroula’s spinach pie and a cup of coffee
Would you class yourself as a day or night person? What’s your idea of the perfect night/day out?
On the one hand I am most creative late at night, when everybody else is asleep. On the other hand, I really like it when I wake up very early, the smell of the morning is beautiful, especially when it’s accompanied by the smell of fresh coffee. Well, I think I’m a night person, wanting to be a little bit of both.
A perfect night out: swimming under the moonlight, and then chilling at the beach, with a drink and some snacks. And of course good company.
Best book ever read?
Most memorable book for me, was A Short History of the Shadow by Victor I Stoichita. I found it in the university library during my MA, when I started working with shadows. It was about the presence of the shadow in art, through historical facts. It became very important and inspiring for me at the time.
Favourite film of all time?
There are plenty, the one that comes to mind is Interstellar – beautiful images, interesting story, mind-travelling in the stars!
Best holiday ever taken? What’s your dream trip?
Best holiday so far, 20 days train travelling around Italy with my husband. I don’t think I need to explain why! I have many dream trips, each for different reasons. One is Sri Lanka, for its nature and culture. Another is Canada, where I was born but have never seen. I was a baby when we left.
What music are you listening to in the car at the moment?
I listen to the radio a lot, both in the car and at my studio. I prefer at these times to let the radio producers suggest the music.
What is always in your fridge?
A soda can with batteries that “talks” when the fridge door opens. Sometimes that is the only thing in there!
Dream house: rural retreat or urban dwelling? Where would it be, what would it be like?
I think I already have my dream house: cosy and beautiful, in the heart of the city but in a quiet neighbourhood.
If you could pick anyone at all (alive or dead) to go out for the evening with, who would it be?
If I could… I would pick my dog Amiga. I just miss her a lot.
If the world is ending in 24 hours what would you do?
24 hours is a long time when you want it to be. I would enjoy that time with the people I love.
What is your greatest fear?
Hmm… airplanes
Tell me a joke…
You probably already know it but…How many surrealists does it take to change a light bulb? Blue
Simoni Symeonidou is a multidisciplinary artist best known for her shadow sculptures. Her upcoming shadow sculpture exhibition Vice Versa will be held in Stasinou 1 (Mitsi Building, Stasinou Avenue) from December 5 to 30. For more information: www.simonisymeonidou.com
