“Immersive experiences”. What do we associate it with ? Large scale video mapping, doubled by other sensory activation mechanics ? Hyper realistic video games to video delight artistry we can experience in art galleries and dedicated festivals of the world ? On April 1st, during Creativity Day, the audience received a different perspective: one that is defining immersion as close to catharsis as possible, helping those exposed to escape the dictatorship of time. Oana Ispir, keynote speaker of the event, showed how illustration, tango or lithography can do exactly the same, if lead by talent and the power of intention. To discover Oana’s rich inner world, helping people to dive in retina delight experiences, explore the interview below.

1.WHAT WOULD MAKE YOUR SOUL SING? WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

When I work on complex creative processes that rarely others can replicate and I am happy with the outcome of my labor. Usually, elaborate printmaking experiments can lead to a state of bliss.

2. A CHILDHOOD STORY THAT ANNOUNCED THE CREATIVE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY 

In my childhood I was fascinated by art albums and the mind and soul of those behind them. I realized from an early age there are people out there able to see more than others. I found them magnetic and wanted to be like them. 

3. BEST CONTEXT EVER FOR INSPIRATION WAS

The energy and the magnetic power of words; Great authors able to put into writing what many of us feel or think, but somehow still incapable of voicing it. The ability to phrase an experience in a unique way. My illustrations are merely the result of a translation process. 

4. THE PROJECT YOU LOVED MOST

I cherish Somnorosi.ro. It’s a project launched during the pandemics. For three years now, I have illustrated every week a small audio story for children. It’s a process transporting me back to my own childhood when I used to be a radio-theater avid listener. 

5. THE PROJECT OTHERS LOVED MOST

I like to believe that I am best known for my linocut works, a technique of manual drawing and printing that underpins modern typography. “Friendship” - it’s a 10 copies small series piece that sold out in two days. That’s my most beloved work, followed by “Home in the city - Bucharest”.

6.THE BEST THING ABOUT LOCAL CREATIVITY IS

The human connection. We all want someone to pull us out of the studio for a good story and some quality time. Romanians are great conversationalists. If you're reading this, reach out.

7.BEST STATEMENT OF LOCAL HUMOR

All works by the local cartoonist Ion Barbu. His works in drawing, paint, sculpture or performance have a particular kind of humor, you don’t know whether to laugh or to cry or even if it’s okay to laugh at such things. It accurately translates the Romanian vibe.

8. BEST ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEADHUNTERS, RELATED TO LOCAL CREATIVES

It's hard to be a freelancer in Romania; the good thing is - you can rely on those who have chosen this path, for they have a special character. There are definitely determined, organized individuals who stubbornly opted to see only the good in people and mastered their craft regardless of the local legislative challenges and overall instability. So when you find a talented Romanian freelancer, with a history of proven performance, honor the collaboration properly.

9. BEST PLACE IN BUCHAREST

I am a tango aficionado, so my answer could be subjective. The best way to feel the vibe of the city as a newcomer was to attend the most popular tango parties in town. Bucharest hosts "Milongas" every day of the week, in central locations, organized by enthusiastic people. After mor

e than 15 years I still feel those are the best spots in town.

10.BEST PLACE IN ROMANIA:

Clopotiva, Raul de Mori - it encompasses the entire Retezat Valley, over the mountains from Sarmizegetusa. It’s also a spot loved by paragliding aficionados; the connoisseurs are saying it’s the best place to take off. One can find here all sorts of wonders - dinosaur reliques, living bisons, Retezat mountain reservation, tallest dam in the country, or Densuș, the oldest church in Romania built in the 13th century, with stone blocks taken from the Roman city Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa.

I like Romans, by the way…Do you know the Romans had advertising? Trajan's Column it’s a statement for PR and personal branding, so are the triumphal arches. Caesar describes them as essential for his evolution. In his youth, Cesar used to borrow money to make advertising and become popular, just like Becali or Piedone. That “bread and circus”, in order to become popular, was serious business. 

Also Sinaia could be on the list - it’s a perfect blend of history and nature just a couple of hours away from Bucharest. In 3 hours, you can be on top of the mountain, right from the middle of the city. Bucharest-Sinaia journey it’s like a shortcut through space-time.

MOST DISTURBING CLICHÉ ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY, IN THE MEDIA OUTLETS OF THE WORLD IS

Romania is a dangerous country. It's more absurd at times, we are the homeland of Urmuz, after all, but it’s not dangerous. If you want to know how truly Romania is, read the children’s book “Urmuz used to drive a bus”. 

YOUR COUNTRY SHOULD BE KNOWN FOR

Spectacular nature and the enthusiasm with which it is explored by locals, from travelling through Via Transilvanica to mountaineering, skiing, paragliding or sailing, Romania it’s a territory for discovery and nature-related adventures.

YOUR VIEWS ON SPIRITUALITY

Live and let live.

YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY

I oscillate between two extremes - there are periods of saving and planning mixed with sessions of impulsive spending. Anyway, I've always liked contrasts and the money topic is no exception.

Oana’s Career journey:

A highly experienced freelance illustrator specializing in book, editorial, and advertising illustration, based in Bucharest, Oana Ispir graduated from the University of Arts Bucharest, specializing in Graphics, in 2002. Since then, she has illustrated over 30 books for children and teenagers, published by major Romanian publishing houses, some of which have been translated abroad. Her signature are linocut inspired executions, both as a technique and as a visual effect. Very often invested with a subtle humor and poignant attitude, Oana’s characters populate a world of wonders, captivating the audiences in an outside-time territory.

In the early days of her career, she worked in adjacent fields of art, initially as a 2D artist at Ubisoft Romania for several years, then as a page layout designer and DTP at Noriel-Maxim Publishing House, where she created magazines for children under Cartoon Network, Disney, and Hasbro licenses. Since 2011, she has been working as a freelance illustrator, exploring a wide range of directions from digital illustration to engraving and embroidery. For most of the nights during more than a decade, she danced, taught social tango and organized national and international tango festivals alongside her partner and a few equally passionate friends.

She was awarded with White Raven in 2023 for "Printul Miorlau" by Nina Casian, published by Frontiera Publishing House and celebrated among reputed finalists at the Bologna Children's Book Fair in 2021, 2022, and 2023. She attended Visual Playground 2017, the Story Incubator in 2019, 2020, and 2023 and The Alternative School’s Future Proof Creativity in 2024, being as well the creator behind the Module’s visual. Member of the Illustrators Club Association since 2009, she has participated in 27 group exhibitions in Romania and abroad, as well as cultural projects organized by the Illustrators Club Association and other cultural institutions. 

Cu Alte Cuvinte Association, the Ovidiu Ro Association, Cărturești, the Antistatic Association, the SNK Association, DeBasm Association, Scoala9, Antropedia, Idle Gallery, Romanian Design Week, the Romanian Cultural Institute in Istanbul, Street Delivery, the Cluj Cultural Center, Metrorex, the Romanian Post or Mega Image are some of the brands she worked with in her two decades career span.