WORDS OF WISDOM IN MONACO
Daria Usova with Prince Albert II, Grimaldi Forum, Monaco, 2017
HM: Is material prosperity a must for your self-fulfillment?
DU: It is a common belief that an artist must be poor. This, apparently,
is some initial stereotype passed on from generation to generation.
But I don’t think so! Look at Jeff Koons or Damien Hirst. Being an artist
is a profession like any other — a doctor, a
banker or a TV presenter. Prosperity is in-
deed a prerequisite for your self-fulfillment!
This is your feedback from society, this is
how relevant your today’s work is. Being in
tune with your Time is a must for the new
generation artists. Same as in the fashion
industry, we all go for the trends!
this is perceived as Love! By the way, Leo Tolstoy believed that we
must be occupied and involved, then everything would work out
perfectly!
The Principality of
Monaco gave me a
tremendous energy,
strength and inspiration.
This is the place
where dreams come true,
where an actress
became a princess!
HM: What is the role of money in your life?
How important is it to you?
DU: I fully agree with Andy Warhol who
echoed the sentiment that art brings mon-
ey if you sell it well! Money is a measure of
success, your result monetized. It is needed to develop and support my
art. Same as fixative sticks holding a sculpture until it is frozen in place!
HM: Are you rich?
DU: For me, money and wealth are two different things. My wealth is
in my creative ideas! I am Russian, and therefore draw my ideas from an
authentic Russian culture that believes in miracles! I am very proud to
be a bearer of this culture and spirituality in the Principality of Monaco.
I am currently getting ready for a large exhibition hosted by the «Eka-
terina» Cultural Foundation in Moscow with the support of Ekaterina
and Vladimir Semenikhin, people who I particularly treasure. I am very
grateful to them for this opportunity to share my very important “Fair-
ytales Сome True” perception through questions and answers with the
Russian audience. The event will take place over the Christmas and New
Year period from December 10 to January 26.
HM: What do you think? How important is it to discuss the topics that
we have brought up here?
DU: These are ever important subjects that always remain relevant.
This is what distinguishes a man from artificial intelligence. This is
what globalization today is trying to bury in oblivion and which
should never be allowed!
Daria Usova's official site: www.dariausova.com
32 / Hello Monaco Winter 2019–2020
www.hellomonaco.com
HM: Is it important for an artist to love herself?
DU: You know how much artists love themselves! They believe to be re-
vealing their eye-opening inner reality to the rest of the world! And I am
no exception! This happens to be one of the rules of success for any busi-
ness. I love myself through what I do. I love every one of my works of art!
HM: And if we speculate on love in general, without being personal?
DU: «It is a sum of speculations on the behavior of its object!» Sadly,
we are often taught to be indifferent. And if ever there is any liking,
HM: Do you have a recipe for how to
be happy?
DU: I was born happy, I was original-
ly given something that never leaves
me, Art! Think of the ancient Egyp-
tian pyramids. Their very existence
is a wonder of the world! Or another
mysterious type of pyramid, a trian-
gle with an all-seeing eye above. What
is that eye? As for me, I do believe in
Maslow's pyramid of needs with self-
fulfilment, creativity, self-expression
and internal potential at the top. This
is happiness to me!
«The Miracle in Monaco», 2018