Hassan Al-Falak
Hassan Al-Falak is a dancer, artist, choreographer and director, and recently received the Arizona Artists Award Fellowship through the Tucson Community Foundation.
BEST INSPIRATION
I like Tucson's weather, and the mountains and the sky. The surroundings are part of my creativity, not literally but spiritually. I use space in my work, and there is a definite sense of space here. Having lived in New York City and San Francisco, I appreciate that sense of space. That's what moves me about the West--the sun, the mountains, the vastness. If I needed a lot of outside stimulation or were a young artist, Tucson wouldn't be a good place, but Tucson gives me a lot of creative space.
BEST REASON FOR ARTISTS TO STAY
The artistic and creative community in Tucson is a major factor in my staying here. If the downtown art community were not here, I probably wouldn't have stayed. Tucson is small, but vital. I've done a lot of collaborative work here, there's a real openness. In a large city, there are a lot of people who pose in the art community, and I don't find that here. To live here as an artist, you have to be serious about the art itself, because there are not the rewards of fashion, like in New York. You have to focus on art itself, because there are fewer distractions.
BEST WAY TO GET IN TOUCH WITH NATURE
My favorite thing to do right now is gardening in my back yard. I love learning about gardening, especially gardening in the desert, which is so different than anywhere else.
BEST SUMMER NIGHTS
If I had friends visiting, we'd grill some food outside, and as the sun went down, start to make a night of it. You can sit and talk until 3 a.m., and it's lovely. You can also star-watch from home because it's so clear.
BEST PART OF WINTER
I find some flowers, in my garden or someone else's, and take a picture in January. I've done that before--sent pictures to friends in New York, and wrote, "I'm sitting in my backyard in January." It's not very kind, but it's a great part of living in Tucson.
BEST DINING EXPERIENCE
I like to go out to dinner, and the Presidio Grill (3352 E. Speedway) is my favorite because it has all the things I go to restaurants for: atmosphere, good service and great food. I feel at home there, because you can go in sweat pants or a tux and feel equally comfortable. My requirement is food that is fresh, preferably organic, that tastes good and is presented well.
BEST PLACE FOR ORGANIC FOOD
The Green Grocer in the Broadway Village Shopping Center is a small food shop, and also sells gardening things. The owner makes an effort to use local farmers' produce. Organic food tastes better, and it's important to eat food as fresh as possible. When I do my art, I want the best possible art directors, performers, everything. That's what I want when I cook, the freshest, ingredients make for the best taste.
BEST LOCAL ARTIST
I have three Dino D'Taos pieces. He's a surrealist, and I think one of our most accomplished and visionary painters. He's a real painter in the classic sense.
