ANXIETY FOR KNOWLEDGE
INTERVIEW: PAVEL KOSSOVICH
OCA Magazine: Tell us, please, about yourself and your creative activity / work.
Pavel Kossovich: Over the years, I used to work as a scientist. I am a biologist-geneticist. Nowadays I am engaged in research work at the nexus of history, geography and cultural studies of Central Asia and Kazakhstan.
OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?
PK: When I came to Kazakhstan twenty-five years ago, I was eager to discover the language, traditions and the history of the country. Within fifteen years, I covered nearly 1 million kilometers by car and collected a vast amount of material on various scientific fields. Soon afterwards, this was reflected in my popular science editions. Primarily, the scientists who gave their talent, their life to advance in knowledge have been serving as role models for me.
OCA: What is your main achievement in 2021-2022?
PK: My book “The Desert Olympus” came out in 2021. It tells about the scientists of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR who evacuated to Kazakhstan during Great Patriotic War. They were at health resort “Borovoye” from 1941 to 1944.
I had been working on this book for fifteen years and I have every reason to be satisfied with the result.
The book “The Art of Burabay” was published in 2022. This book is about the artists who lived in our region and created their works beginning with the 1920s.
OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?
PK: I have travelled a lot, and been to different places and talked to all kinds of people in my day. Therefore, my considerable life experience linked with higher-level academic qualification have developed in me a special analytical approach to problem solving and an ability to succeed.
ОOCA: Tell us, please, about the events of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?
PK: Last year I was present at the Festival “Voices of Friends” in Burabay. I also regularly take part in the meetings with the members of the Guild in creative residence in Burabay. It is thanks to working with the Guild I have got acquainted with many creative personalities (artists, poets, writers) with whom I talk time and again.
OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?
PK: My motivation is anxiety for knowledge and my aim is to share the knowledge obtained with other people book ways, in journals and films.
OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?
PK:I wish the members of the Guild and beginning creative people not to lock within the bounds of their professional interests, but expand them looking into other genres of Art. After all – the most interesting and extraordinary things occur at the nexus of various fields, whether it be science, technology or art.