IN CONVERSATION WITH SERRA DURAN

INTERVIEW BY DAMLA BOZOGLU

Although she is curating, directing, shooting, attending so many events and spending most evenings at Markus, she never loses excitement toward her job and always keeps her eyes on the main goal. It is such a pleasure to have been working with her on multiple projects, she is hardworking and focused at work, always up for a little dance at leisure.

WHAT DOES A WORK DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

CHAOS OR JAZZ OR CHAOS OF JAZZ

WHEN YOU’RE WORKING, DO YOU BLOCK OUT SOCIAL MEDIA? HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOUR WORK?

A LOT OF MY WORK DEPENDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THEREFORE MOSTLY I CAN’T, BUT WHEN I DO, IT FEELS HEALTHIER. 

WHAT DO YOU FIND IN YOUR JOB THAT ESPECIALLY MAKES YOU EXCITED?

WHEN I ACHIEVE TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY PLEASES ME, I FEEL ONE STEP CLOSER TO SELF-ACTUALIZATION, AND FOR ME THAT IS THE MOST EXCITING MOMENT OF THE WHOLE PROCESS. 

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE PEOPLE YOU WANT TO WORK WITH? HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE WITH THEM BEFORE, DURING AND ALSO AFTER THE JOB IS DONE?

I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR TASTES ARE AWARE OF EACH OTHER, AND IT IS SO MUCH EASIER TO REACH OUT TO THOSE PEOPLE NOW. SOMEHOW, BOTH SIDES FEEL THE NEED TO CREATE SOMETHING TOGETHER AND THAT NEED CONNECTS THEM. I DO CARE ABOUT IMPROVING THE RELATIONSHIP THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS. FOR ME, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE RELATIONSHIP SAME WAY BEFORE AND AFTER THE CREATION PROCESS, AND MAYBE EVEN MORE IMPROVED, IF WE ARE LUCKY. 

CAN YOU BALANCE WORK AND LIFE?

I CAN’T. BUT IT DOESN’T BOTHER ME, YET. 

DO YOU HAVE A REGULAR REGIMEN TO AVOID BURNOUTS?

IMUTOR AND JUNK FOOD.

WHAT DOES INTELLIGENCE MEAN TO YOU?

🤤🤷🏼‍♂️

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

STOP GRADING YOURSELF, CREATE MORE AND LET THE WORK IMPROVE YOU ALONG THE WAY. 

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME/WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING?

I WATCH INCREDIBLY BORING MOVIES (NOT TO ME, TO OTHERS), WHICH IS A PART OF MY JOB. 

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT STUCK WITH YOU?

‘BRUSH YOUR TEETH.’

SERRA RECOMMENDS: ACTUALLY READ THE TABLE BOOKS AND WATCH MORE ERIC ROHMER MOVIES. AND PLEASE STOP WORRYING ABOUT ERIC MORRIS. 

SERRA ALSO MADE US A PLAYLIST, LISTEN BELOW.