What is the best thing that I love about my work?
I ’m Marie Savage Slit (this is a pseudo), 35 years old and I live near Toulouse in France.
Since two years, I’m working on a project called Berlingot / Erotic Fluid Concentrate, it’s an artbook exploring genre and sexuality fluidity. I select 45 international artists and I compile their work (photography, illustrations, objects, texts…) into a beautiful annual edition exploring out of erotic stereotypes and mixing all sexuality and genders. It’s bilingual (french-english), printed in limited series and there are also workshops and events in the same editorial policy. Issue #1 went out in june 2017 and issue#2 is actually in pre-orders via a crowdfunding, out in november.
The thing I love the most about my project is this feeling of quest, like discovering a rare gem, and being in contact with inspiring people. I love sharing with others and make the artist’s works travel.
I’m quite good at gathering, compile and unite. I’ve always done that since I was a kid, with pictures, songs, people…
What is my idea of perfect happiness?
I dont’ look for perfection, but I think happiness depends a lot with our connection to ourself, and being in present time, accepting fluidity and movements. For me being connected to nature , spend a lot of time alone and always search for beauty helps a lot.
What is my greatest fear?
I always try to face my fears and explore what scares me , but my greatest fears are that something bad happens to the people I love.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
I can spread myself too much, and I can be shy.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
There are many, and i general each artist that I choose for the Berlingot artbook inspires me.
I’m most inspired by artists who creates female or queer gaze, like Jill Soloway, Virginie Despentes, Xavier Dolan, Jiz Lee, Savages, Marina Abramovic, Zanele Muholi, Steven Cohen, Mikki Blanco, Bianca Casady, and I watch a lot of TedX videos.
What is my greatest extravagance?
My freedom maybe and my intuition. I’m always confident and positive, a go with the flow person. I also believe in the power of stones, sexual magic and I sometimes pick cards to help me in my decision. I’m paying close attention to the ‘right time’ to do things or not, details like signs to guide me.
On what occasion would I lie?
Never. I can’t support any lie, it’s really hard for me to keep a secret and I always find a way to divert conversation in order to avoid lying. That’s my only limit in relationships.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
I love taking time to make things well, but I’m also quite eager and it’s hard to control myself.
I have to use social medias to reach people, but I never know what to share and I really want to keep my life private.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
I was really really proud when I received the 500 copies of the artbook Berlingot #1. Many happy moments too happened when I did the first party ‘Veillée Berlingot’ in a Toulouse cabaret (Le Kalinka).
I’m happy when I’m on stage too.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
My hair, for sure. I change them often and I’m never satisfied.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
I hope it has nos come yet, I’ m on the way… for now I’m happy that I made one book, all by myself (with the collaborations of artists of course).
Where would I most like to live?
My perfect place are actually two places : one in the countryside near a forest and lake, or in the mountains, and one in a city like Lisboa, London, Barcelona, Paris, New York…I love to move.
But in fact I’m really happy to live in a small village near nature, and the town is not far away.
What is my most treasured possession?
My energy. My love.
What is my most marked characteristic?
I’m optimistic, and i don’t take myself too seriously.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
I live near Toulouse, and I love ‘La Daurade’ area, Les Abattoirs, the Japanese garden…
Near my house I love walking in the woods.
What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?
I love the restaurant ‘En pleine nature’ near Toulouse, I love Le Delicatessen, the Fat Cat, the Moloko…
and I can’t wait to eat at ‘Cuisine sans dependance’ in Gaillac.
What books influenced my life and how?
Mostly books with pictures ! But my first revelation happened while browsing an Art History book, and realizing there were only men and always the same type of bodies and representation. My second revelation was when I began to take an interest in erotic art and I couldn’t find anything (or rarely) matching my erotic imagination. I’ve recently loved the book ‘Gaga Feminism: Sex, Gender, and the End of Normal’ by J.Jack Halberstam, and I’ve loved a few years ago reading ‘The Ethical Slut: A Guide to Infinite Sexual Possibilities’ by Dossie Easton and Catherine A.Liszt, and ‘Sexpowerment’ by Camille Emmanuelle.
Who are my favorite writers?
I love Virginie Despentes, Judith Butler, Edouard Louis, Monique Wittig, Virginia Woolf, Dorothy Allison,
Manu Larcenet, Fabcaro, Matthias Malzieu, Yasmina Reza, …But I always read two books at the same time and I don’t find enough time to read all the books I’d like.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
I often think about making a playlist for my funeral and I can’t choose one, maybe a good old Cat Power or Beth Gibbons, Radiohead or maybe Motorama, maybe some classical, or maybe I’ll listen to silence or something I hate so that I’m happy to leave this world ! Hard question. I’m not good at picking just one thing !
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
I think I don’t have any hero or heroine in fiction, I’m really more into real people, real heroes.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
In general, I admire the ‘makers’, and people who share their vulnerability.
I could quote Julia Lanoé, Jiz Lee, Betony Vernon, Jehnny Beth, Felix Ruckert, Mad Kate, Silvia Calderoni, Thom Browne, Mathieu Amalric, all people living truly their passion, and all the brave people of everyday life. Some of my neighbors are my heroes too, and every mothers.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?
I love weird movies, or documentary. For now I would recommend ‘Mutantes’ by Virginie Despentes, a documentary about porn punk feminism. Every Xavier Dolan’s movies, ‘Hable Con Ella’ by Almodovar, ‘Carnages’ by Delphine Gleize and ‘La naissance des pieuvres’ by Céline Sciamma…
What role plays art in my life and work?
Art is a big big part, I feel like feeding from art and beauty. It’s crazy how I can get some energy out from a song or a picture, a movie… I always find something that echoes my soul and my emotions, and I have the feeling of beeing boosted when I discover something I love, it’s inspiring and it’s a way of seing others souls. In my office, there is this quote : ‘Beautiful things work fucking better’. And when art is about sex or gender, that’s mu drug.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
My partner is my support, my partner in crime. My family supports me too, my friends. I love them all.
People who support my project are very important too and it gives me strenght.
Whom would I like to work with in 2019?
I’d like to work with Olga Mathey (an artist from Belgium), Erika Lust, I’d like to find a publisher for the book, I’d like to create a festival in my city and invite people I admire like Marianne Chargois, Mad Kate,
Tom de Montmartre, Romy Alizée, Daniel Marin Medina. I’ve discovered a similar project to Berlingot, it’s called Artplay Magazine, and maybe you could make something together. I dream about making a Pornceptual Party (Berlin) in my city. I’ve too many ideas and not enough time and money !
Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2019?
I really don’t know, let surprise happen !
What project, in 2019, am I looking forward to work on?
A new issue (#3) of Berlingot, an event in Paris and a festival in Toulouse
Where can you see me or my work?
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
Passion is a part of our soul, and it’s where we pull energy and motivation. Passion is the ‘EXTRA’ in the ordinary, passion is a fuel and has to be shared, it can unite people, it can change the world.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Someone who is invisible, someone from the minority, someone who have things to say but is never heard.
How can you contact me?
On Facebook, Instagram if you want. insta : berlingotproject
The Heroine's Journey 