Interview With Mr.Constantin Ciosu

“I have devoted my life to cartoon”

Preface:This interview with Constantin Ciosu was conducted
just after the judgment had been made by the jury,
because of being pressed for time. 
He is calm, reticent,and shy, whose modesty
 can be added to the list of his characteristics.
He is 68 and was born in Romania. He is married.
He is a graduate in painting from University of Arts
and retired high school teacher. He works for some international magazines such as Punch, palante, and some Romanian journals.
He has held 12 solo exhibitions of his artworks,
published 22 books, and won several international prizes. 

Why did you choose cartoon?
I don’t know why. Maybe it was my destiny to become a cartoonist.

 When was your first cartoon published?
It was about 50 years ago and in a local newspaper
 in my hometown in the north of Romania.

 Which cartoonist’s styles have you been inspired by?
I have been inspired by some, but not completely.
I have liked Zabranski and Adolf Born from Czech Republic for their techniques and styles and among Romanians “Mathi” for his paintings. 

Who do you think the best Iranian cartoonist is?
Kambiz Derambakhsh for the quality of his works. But, all in all, cartoonists from Iran, Turkey, Russia, and
Ukraine are at the top of the tree in the cartoon world. 

What is the best prize you have ever won?
I enjoy winning prizes of all kind,
but the most enjoyable prize to win is Grand prize.

 What is the best cartoon you have ever drawn?
Since I am never pleased with my own artworks,
 and always want to be better and better,
I can’t bring you an example. 

How do subjects come into your mind?
I really have no idea where they come from.
If I knew that, I would look for them right in the place.

 Have you ever dreamt of a subject and drawn it?
No, not yet. They enter my mind all of a sudden. 

What are you doing presently?
I am retired. I used to teach drawing in high school.
 Now I am working for a local newspaper called “Medical Life”.

 What if you weren’t a cartoonist?
I don’t think I could do anything else

 What is editorial cartoon like in Romania?
Before revolution and fall of the communist regime in 1989,
 publishing cartoons was extremely restricted,
but now there are cartoons on all social and
political issues and people are very interested too. 

Which one would you prefer, drawing editorial cartoons
 or drawing cartoons to be displayed in exhibition?
Of course the latter, because editorial cartoons have to be drawn
very fast and are not profound, but when you draw cartoons
 to be displayed in exhibitions, you can express your
thoughts more easily. It matches up to my character.

 Have you ever been reprimanded for drawing
a particular cartoon?
Before revolution cartoonists couldn’t express
themselves through drawing cartoons and thoughts
had to be hidden, but there is not such a problem now anymore.
I have never been in trouble because
 I have always known what off limits are.

 What if a subject came to your mind and you
couldn’t draw the cartoon?
If it were too difficult to draw, I would look for another subject.

 Do you think there is ever something for you to learn?
Although I have fifty years of experience,
 I try to learn new things day after day.
Here, while I was judging the works with
the theme of productivity,
 I learned many things from every single cartoon.

 Why do you use color in most of your artworks?
I have been using color in my works for some years
 because color cartoons can attract attention more,
 especially of visitors’, to exhibitions.
I am planning to start drawing black and white cartoons again.
 Since everyone is using color these days, my works will be eye – catching if I do that.

 What are your coloring techniques?
There are two techniques of coloring I use, watercolor and ink color?

 What do you think of “eraser”?
It is very useful because I use pencil first.

 What are characteristics of a good cartoon?
It must be full of ideas and be simple.
It must have been drawn using a good technique.
 It must be able to convey an idea very fast.
Some cartoonists are full of ideas but their works are busy.
 The message of the cartoon must be conveyed at first glance. 

What do you think of Tehran Biennial?
Excellent, Not only do I think so, but also all
other Romanian cartoonist. Tehran Biennials have
 always been held in the best way.
Everything has always been in order and good.
There have always been good works and catalogs.
Everyone is pleased with it.
So, it is one of the best cartoon festivals in the world.
 Presently, there is no other cartoon contest in Iran
 to be held as well as Tehran Biennial.
 I always get the best catalogs in Tehran Biennials. 

What about the 8^th Tehran International Cartoon Biennial?
I am thinking of it. When I was in hotel I was thinking of it.
I am going to enter it.

 What do you think of the Iranian House of Cartoon?
Julian Penapai had told me about it,
and I could not believe my ears.
 Now, I am very happy I am here to see it.
 I have been to many countries, but have not seen anything
 like this anywhere.
 There are places for painters or other artists,
but not for cartoonists. Cartoon is very interesting to you
 and it is very interesting.
It will be better and better day after day if you
hold cartoon biennials and other cartoon contests regularly.

What do you think of “Irancartoon” website?
I get all the information I need from “Irancartoon”.
 I visit the site everyday. It is kept up – to- date as fast
 and soon as possible, which is very good. 

Should a cartoonist be funny himself?
It’s very good if yes. Many cartoonists create their
artworks in a funny way, but are not funny themselves
 in everyday life, like me.

 How do You describe Ciosu briefly?
He is a person who works a lot.
 I wouldn’t like to talk about myself.

 How can be someone like Ciosu?
S/he must be interested, talented, and tireless
which is the most difficult part of the job.
s/he should never be pleased whit themselves.
If you start to think you are good, you will stop progressing.

What’s your hobby?
Since I work a lot, I don’t have a lot of free time.
My best hobby is my work. I can even work 20 hours a day. 

What is your biggest wish?
Just one ordinary wish. I hope to be able to work a lot
all the time. I really don’t know what will happen if I can’t work.

 How similar are cartoon and your life?
Cartoon is half of my life which has been dedicated to it. 

Have you ever been disappointed with your works?
I have always been full of hopes.
I have never been disappointed at not winning a prize.
Instead, I have always had hopes of winning prizes.

 What did you I had already  think of
Iran before coming here?I considered Iran to be a new country. The easternmost country
 I have ever visited is Iran.
I didn’t care about propaganda, because Iranian
known about Persepolis. The thing I heard about Iran was the US probable military action against this country
because of its nuclear program. I didn’t care,
because I’m not into politics.
I have visited several countries among which Iran is the best.
 I am happy I came here.

 What do you think of cartoon in Iran?
Iranian cartoonists are high rank.
 They draw excellent cartoons. Some greatest
caricaturist in the world live in Iran. Unfortunately,
I got familiar with Iranian cartoon very late,
and it was about ten years ago. I wish I had Known it earlier.
 There are always Iranian cartoonists who win a lot of prizes in world’s major cartoon contests.

What do you hope to be your last cartoon to draw?
I haven’t thought about it yet. Whatever cartoon.

Why is cartoon is Eastern Europe better
 than cartoon in Western Europe?
Gag cartoon is more popular in Western Europe.
Cartoon is more serious and deep in Eastern Europe,
 because most people have had hard lives.
Having had fewer financial problems in Western Europe,
people like to just laugh. It’s not important
what it is that makes them laugh,
or whether it makes them think or not. They just want to laugh.

 Is there a question I should have asked you?
I don’t think so. 

What were the questions like?
They were interesting. I’m happy I could answer them all. 

And your final word?
I’m very happy I’m here to get more familiar with
Iranian cartoonists. I hope to witness greater
advances in cartoon in Iran on my next visit.