Meet the artists: Fluid Form

Artist duo Violeta Maya and Persiis Hajiyanni set out to create Fluid Form in response to a special open-call set by Martin Miller’s Gin to explore the theme of transformation, which is at the heart of the brand’s DNA. Their winning idea will be unveiled at Affordable Art Fair, Battersea from 21 – 24 October.

Made from hand-blown glass, Fluid Form explores the transformative power of water, incorporating a number of ice sculptures which periodically melt from solid to liquid across the course of a day to create mesmerising movements of light and shadow. A unique audio-visual experience for visitors, the installation offers a moment for stillness and reflection amongst the busyness of the fair.

Together with Martin Miller’s Gin, we caught up with artists Violeta and Persiis to find out more about creating the work.

What are you hoping Fair visitors can experience when stepping inside Fluid Form?

Persiis: The piece is aiming to offer a ‘slowdown moment’ in a crazy art fair environment.

Violeta: We got very inspired by the Transformation starting point, because it’s something we relate to a lot. The objective is to help visitors who go into the piece somehow undergo a small transformation whilst inside.

What has it been like to work with Martin Miller’s Gin on such an exciting project?

Violeta: Martin Miller’s Gin gave us the freedom to do whatever we wanted with the piece. They didn’t want to influence it. They were very respectful with what we wanted to do with the artwork, which has been amazing.

Persiis: It’s amazingly important for any artist to have the support of brands, especially, in such a free context that we had to explore and create something totally personal on the theme of transformation.

Fluid Form is part of Martin Miller’s Art out of Isolation Commission. How did you both find the experience of lockdown?

Persiis: I was lucky to be able to embrace the time that was suddenly created when social responsibility was taken out of the equation. I am usually a person that says yes to everything and therefore very easily find myself overwhelmed with way too many things on my plate. Like everyone, my priorities shifted, and I realised spending time by myself was a real necessity – a need that often you don’t realise you have when you are constantly on the move. I made it part of my day to take at least 20 minutes for myself, even when I had the busiest schedule, which I used to slow down and pay attention to me, my body and my surroundings.

Violeta: I was locked at home not being able to do any of my usual work, so I started painting again for the first time in nearly three years. Painting is now mainly what I am doing in terms of art, so the lockdown has really shaped my career.

What is the concept behind Fluid Form?

Violeta and Persiis: It is an interactive, walk-through art installation and the aim is to explore the idea of transformation. This transformative water is the protagonist of the installation, alongside ice, light and sound. Central to the artwork is a glass sculpture, containing ice, which – as its contents melt – distorts and impacts the light shining through it into the space. The glass was blown at the La Real Fabrica de Cristales de La Granja, a castle which houses a historic glass factory that still uses traditional techniques.

You can see Fluid Form at the Affordable Art Fair, Battersea from 21 – 24 October.

Official Drinks Partner of Battersea Autumn, Martin Miller’s Gin is blended with the purest Icelandic spring water and is known for its smooth, silky taste. Across the fair, you can enjoy their signature award-winning gin in a range of delicious cocktails and serves at their surrealist-inspired bars.

Martin Miller’s Gin, Official Drinks Partner