Interview: Daniel Milan

Daniel Milan: True Love, Uganda 2010.

You recently returned from living and working in Uganda for thirteen months. Why did you travel to Africa in the first place?

I was very influenced by the political debate in Denmark. So I followed the paroles of the Danish Peoples Party (extreme right-winged party supporting the liberal conservative government since 2001) and went back to where we all come from: Africa - the Cradle of Humankind. I stopped at the shores of the Victoria Lake and started drawing.

What was your first impression of Africa?

When I was little, watching the news on TV, I saw a black snitch, during the Apartheid regime in South Africa, with a burning car tire around his neck.

What made the greatest impression on you, living in Africa?

On a personal level, being a minority for the first time in my life, a white man in a black world and the centre for everybody’s attention. But contrary to e.g. ethnic minorities in Denmark, I was very privileged and a rich man amongst the poor. The dimension of money was therefore part of all social relations - something I found very disturbing. More generally, I was overwhelmed by the poverty and the social inequality. There is a huge gap between rich and poor. The elite of corrupt politicians and business people are driving Hummer cars while other people are dying from hunger. Uganda has enormous potential and is so rich in natural resources but there is a catastrophic environmental degradation going on. It seems like capitalism in its worst form.

There is also great inequality between men and women and the suppression of women runs throughout society. Then there is the influence of American preachers and their extreme interpretation of Christianity, nourishing a hysterical homophobic public debate and a proposed anti-gay bill with death sentence to homosexuals.

Daniel Milan: Cashier, Uganda 2010.		Daniel Milan: Dogfood, Uganda 2010.

How did all this influence your work?

The night of the day I left I had a strange vision: my whole production of drawings was passing by the window of the taxi and I could suddenly easily compare with the reality I saw. I realised that maybe my work was much more an organic tale than a political manifest. Non-intentionally my work turned out with motives such as the Cactus Man (ongoing project), white plastic chairs, rats, other animals, plants, organisms, sickness, witchcraft, child sacrifice, rape, death, turbulence, decay and dissolution.

How would you describe your work?

Somehow I see my work as graphic anthropological studies of society and civilization criticism. I have made series of drawings of car crashes and regional stories from such different places as Münich, Balkan, Japan and latest Africa. There is a strong element of DIY in the way I work and think.

How is the Art scene i Uganda?

Art in the Western/European definition is practically nonexistent. Art and crafts are more or less the same in Uganda. The Art Academy is a low-prestige study. There are no art museums and only two galleries in Kampala, the capital city, selling mainly colourful art to expatriates. It is interesting that most African artists with success live and work abroad. I had contact with Professor Lilian Nabulime at the Art Academy and she does some great sculptures and installations about feminism and HIV/AIDS – hardcore stuff.

Daniel Milan: Children, Uganda 2010.

Explain a little about the exhibition Arise, Shine, Fall at TTC Gallery.

After showing my recent work in Munich at Stephanie Benders under the title My Feet Is Not Your Restaurant I had a strong urge to show my drawings in Copenhagen as well. So it is a kind of reinstallation but with many new elements. For the occasion I have made an artist book. I am deeply honoured to have the talented band Caucasian Colony to play at the opening.

What are your future projects?

I have just founded a new publishing project called Milan Verlag with various publications planned, I will produce my first Danish organic wine this year and then I am going back to Uganda for a period. Keep drawing of course!

Is there still hope for our poor planet?

In time of the Apocalypse – hope seems even greater.

Thanks and good luck.