Stream of ideas
Where do the ideas for my sculptures come from? The best thing about them is that they never run out. A short visit to the source of the «Muse», my «Windy Sisters» and «Three Kings, clueless».
Sometimes, I run out of wood, pigment or sharpened chainsaws, but I never run out of ideas. Only once an idea is realised do I know whether it is good. Until then, I cannot be sure: taking notes, sketching, rejecting.
Connecting to the source
Years ago, I realized that I am surrounded by a constant stream of ideas. If I do what inspires me, then ideas keep flowing. It’s a relief to find that it’s not «me» who has the ideas. The ideas have me—if they want to and if I am open.
Sure, even now, I sometimes feel stressed when I put myself under pressure for a competition or an exhibition jury. Sometimes, I am in the creative flow, and other times, I am outside of it. Certain activities help me connect and open the door to the Source: letting go (easier said than done), singing, dancing, visiting exhibitions or other artists, reading, travelling, hiking, caring for plants, and cooking.
There is nothing special about it — we can all do it in our way. In my life as a sculptor, there are three realms where ideas start flowing repeatedly: in everyday situations, when meeting art and from inside. I simply need to open my eyes …
1. In everyday life
In the morning, I take the train to my studio. Sometimes, the flow of people coming towards me within the confines of the station annoys me. Other times, I marvel at the people surrounding me: at how they hold their smartphones, their newspapers, or a child. The variety of gestures and attitudes we take at any given time on life’s stage amazes me. If I see something that I would like to depict, I add it to my collection of sketches.
On the train, I ripped a portrait photo from the newspaper: the writer’s facial expression and posture touched me. During a trip to Berlin, I noticed a postcard from Deutsches Theater: how cheeky and cool the actress’s pose with her cardboard crown and index finger was. I closed Bernhard Schlink’s novel Olga and knew: the image on the cover would be added to my collection of sketches.
This newspaper portrait became the «Muse»:
This postcard inspired the three clueless kings:
This book illustration placed four «Wind Sisters» in a stiff breeze:
2. Meetings with art
Exhibitions and exchanges with fellow artists are a never-ending source of inspiration. I am touched by a funny idea or a pose realised with precision, and I am amazed by certain angles or colour accents.
«The Captain» was inspired by one of Johannes Hepp‘s sculptures.
3. Inside of me
«Dis-Dance» was created in 2009; the man and woman are about 24 cm tall. The work emerged from inside me out of the urge to reduce the encounter of a man and a woman to its very essence.
Inner images always play an essential part, even if a work is inspired by something I see or experience.
Most of the ideas that come to me are never realised. And they continually mutate when executed.
