Christina Chakalova joined the faculty this fall to teach art history. In this quick hits interview she talks fine art, skiing, and exotic birds. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
If you could study under any historical artist, who would it be?
Guido Reni. Most people probably haven’t heard of him, but he was in his lifetime by far the most wealthy and famous artist of the Baroque age. He basically transformed art into a, “You pay me for my talent and not for how many figures and how big it is,” that was kind of more of the standard in the middle ages. So he really transformed the profession. And he painted so beautifully. He’s my personal fave.
What are some of your talents and hobbies?
I’m a really good skier. That’s the Austrian coming in — expert level skier.
If you were on a desert island, what three books would you bring other than the Bible?
George Orwell’s “1984,” “Art and Architecture 1600 to 1750” — it is so dry but I read it for pleasure reading — and Homer’s “Odyssey.”
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An actress. I would say teaching is a performing of sorts.
What are some of your all-time favorite pieces of fine art and why?
My all time favorite pieces would be The Deposition by Pontormo. It’s in the Capponi Chapel. I would say the whole Capponi Chapel because it’s part of a whole thing. I can’t just focus on the one piece because it communicates with all the rest of the artwork. Everything Bernini, I can’t pick one. And the Calling of Saint Matthew by Caravaggio. That’s always been one that’s really moved me.
What subject would you have studied if not art?
I think nothing because if you are so dedicated to something it can only be something that you truly love. So I just couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
What is something on your bucket list?
To travel to every site I teach that I haven’t traveled to yet, to see artwork that I teach in person.
If you could have an unconventional pet, what would you choose?
An exotic bird, although I will say I feel bad for birds that are caged. Let’s say an exotic bird as long as I don’t have to cage it. I wouldn’t really want a lion or something like that. For my dissertation, I wrote on a patron who had one of the most incredible menageries in Central Europe and so I’m trying to think of myself as him now. He had lions and exotic birds and hyenas. He had an emu, the first one in Central Europe.
What is one thing you used to believe but have changed your mind about?
I used to believe that I had to know everything. And then I went through grad school and I realized that I don’t know everything and in fact, I don’t know anything. I’m always going to be learning and I don’t need to have all the answers, but I should know where to look.
If you woke up one day with enough money to buy anything, what would your first few stops be?
First would be charity. The second would be to take my students on an international trip. Take them all to Italy to view the artwork we’re talking about. And then finally, I’ll think about myself and I’m going to go on a vacation. I’ve never been anywhere crazy tropical so it would have to be a vacation to Fiji or Seychelles.
What is one piece of advice you try to live by?
You can’t direct the wind, but you can control it. Another way to say that: you’re not in control but you’re in charge. They’re two different things. It helps me keep anxiety and stress at bay because things will go wrong.
