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Featured Student: March 2008

Polina Malikin

In all of Polina Malikin's varied interests—anthropology, gardening, studying medicine, traveling, bicycling, and community organizing, to name a few—she says her art has always played a part. The master's student in film, who makes films, videos, installations, photographs, prints, and drawings, pursues a "socially engaged, politically aware, and community-oriented art practice."

Polina was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and emigrated with her family to New York City when she was a young child. As an immigrant from a low-income family, Polina is grateful for the educational scholarships she has received. Currently an Advanced Opportunity Fellow, she has also received student awards to cover the cost of art supplies.

As a documentary filmmaker, humanitarian aid worker, film festival curator, and tourist, Polina's travels include China, Brazil, Senegal, Russia, and India. "I have learned that there is endless beauty in the world, even though it is surely rivaled by all the despair."

1) How would you describe your field of study/research to a friend who is not in your graduate program?

When people ask me what I am doing in graduate school, I often just say "film," and while this is not false, it is somewhat misleading. "Film" is a fairly expansive term for all sorts of moving pictures, time-based work, critical theory, and cultural studies. At the same time, "film" also refers quite specifically to emulsion-based celluloid film stock. This is also misleading because very few makers (or students in my program) work exclusively with emulsion-based film. For better or worse, many artists complement their practice with digital and electronic media. As for myself, I often use 16mm and super-8 film in my practice, but find myself equally drawn to (and dependent on) other media as well. People in my program (myself included) work with everything from digital video projection, to hand-processed film, to Web-based work, not to mention writing, performance, sound design, and drawing. So, really, I find myself working in a variety of media, creating audio-visual experiences that often challenge the more traditional narrative feature film model.  That is a mouthful, so when pressed further by "What kind of film?" usually I will say "experimental film," which ends up being a useful catch-phrase: it is a shorthand way of saying that I love film as a fine art. That doesn't mean I don't love to watch, study, and participate in other types of cinema. But, as a maker, I have been most interested in working in the "experimental" mode: I make short, non-narrative films, sometimes simply as a way to play with light, other times as a way to work with groups of people, and other times as a way to create an environmental installation.  In addition to this work, I often find myself working as a documentarian. I have worked on traditional documentary film/radio projects as well as on projects that have stretched the idea of documentation to include more experimental approaches.

2) What brought you to UWM for your graduate studies?

The UWM Film Department has a long and lasting reputation for supporting experimental film and filmmakers. The department attracted me because it has provided, and continues to offer, a wide range of tools and support for 16mm filmmaking. While many might heartily try to ring the death knell of 16mm film (and film in general), I still feel that it is a wonderful and unique medium. But, while it is beautiful, it has become increasingly harder to access, especially as a student. The UWM Film Department is unique in providing and maintaining equipment for 16mm film, as well as an active cinema that showcases films and artists working with film. In addition, the department has a diverse faculty and staff who work in a variety of media and have different fields of interest. So, in addition to 16mm film, I have access to all sorts of new media tools, as well as makers and critics. I decided to come to UWM because the department offered very generous funding. I was excited to go to graduate school, but was anxious about the costs involved. Not only is film an expensive medium, but leaving with a degree in "experimental film" does not really guarantee the big bucks upon graduation. The Film Department at UWM works hard to provide graduate students with funding and opportunities. My first year, I was offered work as a Teaching Assistant, which provided me with tuition remission and a monthly stipend. I was excited about the prospect of teaching and specifically, about working with Carl Bogner (who is a great teacher, lecturer, programmer, and supportive colleague). Last, but not least, I was completely charmed by Cecelia Condit, who is a professor in the department, an artist, and was the graduate director at the time. Her generosity and enthusiasm convinced me that the Film department would provide a supportive and eccentric environment. Her generosity and support have not flagged in my time here and has only been bolstered by that of other teachers.

Ultimately, I decided to attend UWM because I knew I could focus on my artwork, gain experience as a teacher, and work in 16mm film, all without the pressures of a commercially motivated program.

3) What's been your best experience so far?

Making art, going to school, discovering one's voice, thinking about one's future, and being part of a community have all been part of making my time in Milwaukee so meaningful and rich. I am really glad I had the chance to delve into film and my own art practice more deeply. I am happy to have been graced by the presence and insights of supportive and interesting folks—people who are connected to UWM as well as those who just happen to be in Milwaukee. I am grateful to have had so many wonderful experiences during my time at UWM. Most notably, I have had a few occasions where I have been able to look back on a project and realize how much I had grown and learnt in the process. As someone who has struggled with finding the time, resources, and justification to make my art, going to graduate school has been a real blessing. While I still remain very critical and dissatisfied with most of what I have made (and am making), it has been exciting to see how far I have come... and how much further there is to go. At its best, school provides formal structures that can help one reflect, get stuff done, and communicate about the whole process. I have appreciated (and, occasionally dreaded) the "graduate review" each semester—it is a time to gather together all the projects as well as all the pieces and ideas, and share them with your advisors. While these reviews have created a fair amount of anxiety, they have also created a sort of wonderful "trial run" before my work has to be thrown into the overwhelming public at large. I have left each semester with a rich body of work, teeming with ideas, and pleasantly overwhelmed by all the things that need "fixing."

4) If you were able to merge another discipline with yours, what would that be and why?

The Film Department has been very flexible in allowing me to bring a variety of media, disciplines, and approaches into my graduate study. Film, as a medium, can almost demand such a flexibility. Cinema has often brought together a good deal of writing, historical research, critical analysis, visual art, sound design, and performance. Personally, I have only taken a few classes in other departments (specifically, Visual Arts and English/Film Studies). While I have been happy with the variety of classes I have been able to take, I would like to see even more integration between the arts.

5) What is your favorite stress-reduction activity?

Sleeping, treating myself to tasty food, jogging, walking the dog, doodling, and taking hot showers.

6) What do you most enjoy about Milwaukee?

I live in a great little storefront at a wonderful intersection in the magical and friendly neighborhood of Riverwest. I love knowing my neighbors and being able to have shows in my own home. I love the enthusiasm and openness that people have for new art projects and adventures. Also, I love Leon's Frozen Custard, the Riverwest Food Coop, the "New Age Drinks" aisle at Lena's, the great old hand-painted signs all over town, and all the sweet people I have met.

7) Is there anything that you've had to "give up" as a graduate student?

I left my entire life behind when I moved to Milwaukee, including my family, friends, my community, the collective I was a part of, my studio and many art supplies, the jobs and organizations I worked with, and my sense of place. On the other hand, before going to school, I often felt I had to "give up" exploring 16mm film and taking my art seriously.

8) What are your plans for after graduate school?

I want to spend more time with my family and friends. I am working on a documentary about my family and hope to continue doing that more intensively after I graduate. Immediately after I graduate, I am planning to help my best friend with her soon-to-be newborn baby. After that, I will look for work as an educator, activist, and artist (or some combination of those things!). I am also looking forward to making a home, a family, and learning more about the world (in and out of school). Last, but not least, I plan to continue making art and finding ways to share it.

9) What trait do you find most necessary to succeed in graduate school?

To each their own. General advice is only so useful, right? I think that graduate school, like any somewhat temporary and unique environment, can be really strange and tricky. If you can go in with that perspective, you can start to think about how to get the most out of it. I think the most important thing is to know WHY you are there—and, if you don't know for sure, that's OK... At least, try to choose/create a reason that will make your time meaningful, fun, and challenging. Some programs are more structured than others. The Film Department is very flexible and expects a lot of initiative from its grad students. If you can assess the type of program you are in, and be realistic about what you can accomplish, and still be ecstatic, motivated, focused, and patient, then you will probably have a great time in graduate school. It is equally important to think about what "success" means, both for you as well as for your advisors and those on the "outside"—unfortunately, all these ideas of "success" might not always be in synch... This is where you have to be humble enough to listen to others with more experience, but never lose sight of your inner dialogues and heart-felt dreams. And, of course, you have to work hard and work smart. Lastly, don't spend time complaining! For some reason, school environments can often breed a culture of complaint, gossip, and resentment. Focus your energy and time on what is important and don't waver too much.

10) Do you have any advice that you would give to a new graduate student in your program?

Don't be shy. Take responsibility for your time in the program. For better or worse, there is very little hand-holding, so go out of your way to figure things out and make yourself heard (in a respectful way, of course). So, you can take it upon yourself to meet all the faculty, staff, and students. Get to know their work and what they do. These people will be your colleagues in the school. There are also lots of other interesting people in other departments and outside the university—you might want to meet them too. Take time to really talk to students who have been around—they will be able to give you the inside scoop into so many things. You don't have to reinvent the wheel. That said, remember that everyone has their own way of navigating through a situation. Make a point of meeting with your advisor/s and letting them know what is going on, especially if you hit a hard spot. There are a lot of things that are hard to figure out in the short amount of time that you have. Do your best to learn from other people's experiences and ask for advice. Lastly, try to come with a handful of ideas and projects that you want to work on. If you know what you want to do, you can fashion your coursework to suit your needs. This time is precious and it is yours to sculpt.