Dessislava Madanska
Dessislava Madanska is an artist and spatial designer based in Stockholm whose multidisciplinary practice spans objects, sculpture, installation, and sound art. Drawing on backgrounds in architecture, product design, and spatial design, her work explores the relationship between materiality, perception, and human experience.
Through an experimental and research-driven approach, Madanska creates immersive environments and site-specific interventions that transform everyday materials into contemplative spatial experiences. Her practice moves fluidly between art and design, often investigating ritual, interaction, and the emotional qualities of space.
Interview
I was born and raised in Bulgaria. In the past 10 years, I have been living across Europe. Places that have been my home and creative context: Italy, Switzerland, Copenhagen, and London. I am currently based in Stockholm.
My dad had a period when he collected art, and I remember once he took me with him to visit the home and studio of some Bulgarian artist to pick up a painting. I was probably 5 or 6 years old.
Yes, with a change of context and scale. I was initially trained as an Architect and worked shortly in the architecture field prior to dedicating myself to art/design.
The desire to make people feel in a certain way by using my own superpower- creating objects and spaces.
My creative process is based on intuitive building-I often start a project by putting materials and shapes together in a scale 1:1, and from there I move forward to clear out the technicalities. A drawing is not the first thing in my process; sometimes it can be the very last thing that I do for a certain project. I like combining unique shapes found in nature with geometric shapes created industrially.
Every day is different, even though lately I’ve been trying to set up some routine. I like getting up early to use the natural light while I work. Afternoons are usually for emails, visiting suppliers, or field trips.
I work a lot with the idea of double reflection, a double-sided mirror, but also with reflective surfaces that are not mirrors, such as polished brass.
Work full-scale from early on within the process. Always be curious to learn new craft techniques or improve the ones you already have.
The Japanese art movement Mono-ha.
Andrea Branzi, Carlo Scarpa, Bruno Munari.
I like the work of Henrik Vibskov-he is a fashion designer with a very interesting approach to designing spaces and experiences.
Anish Kapoor, Kishio Suga, Rachel Whiteread, Fausto Melotti.
Reflections. (Both physical and psychological).
“I like the idea of working with materials that are alive and go through a transformation during the working process, but also after that, when they age with time.”
The Questions
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust.
Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde,
Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)
Freedom to create and to be, unconditional love, mindfulness.
Not being able to live authentically.
Procrastination.
Envy.
Tadao Ando-for his work but mainly for being a self-taught architect.
That I have too many extravagances.
Calm. Focused.
Modesty.
Vulnerability.
Vulnerability.
Scandalous. Bizarre. Fascinating.
Acting-so that I can be able to hide my emotions sometimes.
To become more patient.
Not giving up on my dreams despite all the difficulties I’ve been through.
I would like to come back as water. So that I can travel the world in rivers and oceans in complete freedom.
Somewhere where I am loved. Preferably with a seaside in close proximity.
My Macbook-perhaps that’s because I am not very diligent in doing back-ups.
Not being able to love anymore.
Being in a flow.
Deep conversations.
Loyalty.
F.S.Fizdgerald, Dimitar Dimov.
Gatsby.
–
Ordinary people who have preserved their light.
The ones of the people that I love.
People with bad energy.
Wasting time.
Fast and painless. In some adventure.
Fight for what you believe in.
“My creative process is based on intuitive building—I often start a project by putting materials and shapes together in a scale 1:1.”
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