7 Minutes in Heaven with Dmitry Borshch

Dmitry Borshch is a Brooklyn-based artist who was recently awarded the National Arts Club award for graphics. Originally from the USSR, Borshch says he is inspired by Christianity. His art refuses to be tied down into a single genre. Rather, some are abstract pieces that deal with symmetry while others are more emotional and intricate works. Still others are photographs of girls wearing heavy eye makeup boozing it up. Borshch's art can be viewed at Artist File Online, Fine Art Adoption Network, and Art in Brooklyn.

[image by Dmitry Borshch]

Asphalt Eden: What book are you currently reading?

Dmitry Borshch: Thankfully, no book. I have read too many books already. A portion of my library was donated to the Gravesend branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. Another portion to the NYU Bobst Library. Yet another is awaiting donation.

Asphalt Eden: What is your favorite time of day?

Dmitry Borshch: All times are my favorite.

Asphalt Eden: What's on repeat on your iPod?

Dmitry Borshch: I do not own an iPod. Or a BlackBerry.

Asphalt Eden: Where in New York is the closest place to your own personal Garden of Eden?

Dmitry Borshch: I made a one-pot herb garden in 2008, with sweet basil and caraway thyme, which is still growing. That is my portable Garden of Eden.

Asphalt Eden: Who would you want to be stranded on a desert island with?

Dmitry Borshch: God, so I can ask Him/Her the question below.

Asphalt Eden: If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

Dmitry Borshch: “Do You exist, God?”

Asphalt Eden: What message do you want people to take away from your art?

Dmitry Borshch: Most of the works in my current series are untitled, partly because they are representational (all my abstract works, some of which can be found in the Artists Space registry at http://afonline.artistsspace.org/, are titled). One reason for leaving them without a title is to allow the viewer "to take away from [my] art" as much as she is able to take and of whatever there is to be taken, for her.