This Is How I Summer: Kurt Pio
How does the Cape Town-based artist, now back from his residency in Crimea, Russia, plan on winding down this summer? ‘I have some really nice travel plans ahead of me, I’m really looking forward to those.’ Having exhibited in Mexico City, Dallas, New Orleans, New York and Washington DC this year alone, he’s more than earned the time off – and this is how he plans on spending it.
On his daily rituals…
I’m quite a light sleeper and generally wake up between 6.30am and 7am, whether winter or summer, but closer to 6.30am in the summer time. My bed is a mattress on the floor. It happened like this purely because I could not find a beautiful base – it’s been 3 years – but I also like the idea of starting my morning right on the floor with a sort of humble beginning, standing up from the ground. There is something quite symbolic about it. Of course I will change it at some point, but for the last 3 years it’s been the first thing I do when I get out of bed, which is like this little ritual.
On his love-hate relationship with smoothies…
Depending on the day of the week, I’ll make myself a cup of coffee, eat a banana and get outside for a run or do a home workout. After my workout I make a smoothie, which is kind of disgusting, but it’s made up out of a whole bunch of really healthy ingredients. I include broccoli, chia seeds, some nuts, some spinach, honey, banana, some protein powder, carrots, green beans, olive oil and spirulina and then kind of just gulp it down.
On mindfulness…
I usually walk to and from my studio. I have a car but I prefer walking, especially in summer when the beautiful, warm air makes me feel quite carefree. On these walks I usually listen to some podcasts. Invisibilia is a great one, as is, and don't laugh, Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations. These are all really inspiring. Some days I’ll listen to Tara Brach, she is a Buddhist. I listen to her meditations and talks, which I feel helps me focus for my day.
On spring cleaning, both his home and his mind…
I feel that my biggest mind shift at this time of year comes when I decide spring-clean: my home, my studio, and also my mind. I love to re-asses where I am at and what is serving me and what is not serving me and make some new, practical goals that will help me in the day-to-day running of my life.
On the importance of keeping a ‘friendship schedule’…
I want to spend more quality time with my close friends, in part because a lot of them live far away, but it’s also about checking in on a weekly basis. I schedule hikes or Sunday evening walks on the promenade, weekly dinner and Friday drinks. These little setups become weekly rituals where we all get to see each other.
On not being a home cook and being okay with that…
I’m the worst to talk to about food as I don't cook for myself but rather buy healthy meals from stores nearby. I eat because I have to and I eat healthy because I want to, but I don’t always enjoy the taste. When I do go out, my favourite thing to order is oysters and my favourite restaurants in Cape Town are Mulberry & Prince and Clarke’s.
On stress-free entertaining:
I have always had a fridge full of booze and hardly any food, so it’s very easy for me to have a few friends over – and I do it regularly. I love to entertain, usually in a small group. I feel like I get a lot more out of it.
On unexpected party starters…
My favourite cocktail has always been a Negroni, I will normally order that first if I see it on the menu. At home, what I wanted to try next is serve kombucha with vodka, I think that is a fun vibe. Of course, you shouldn't drink more than one but maybe as the first drink of the night it could be an interesting way to kick off the night.
On his travel-bag essential…
I have my eyes set on these Bose Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones. They are super expensive but incredible for flying as they block out all noise. I have a feeling that I’m not going to fight this for much longer.
On his secret to completely unwinding…
I try to attend silent retreats, usually a 4-day retreat where you go away with a group of people and actually don't talk for 4 full days. I find that I really benefit from it. I will be going on my second one this year in December.
On his creative process…
It’s kind of like playing a casino slot machine, where there are these visuals and sometimes they come about in repeats and that’s when all the bells and sirens go off. It is not really an ah-ha moment at the time but about trusting your instinct. Say, for instance, I’ll see something and then somewhere in my mind it triggers something and then my memory makes a note of it and somehow it gets a few of these visuals together in a row and I constantly see them in my mind, like a slot machine. When I get this kind of visual repetitiveness I’ll experiment and explore it, but it has to connect with me and hopefully that object connects with other people as well. Sometimes they don't. When they work it is great and when they don't it’s ok, too.
Featured Image:
Illustration by Thea Pheiffer