1. If you weren’t an artist, what else would you be?
Whatever the life situation is, art can always be manifested with space. I’m
not attached to the label of artist, as with most words, it’s a container and has
walls – it has a definition and thus comes analysis and more walls. As long as I
practice space, this is the most important thing – artist or not.
2. Name 3 of your least favourite artists.
It is important to have variety of perspectives to widen our awareness. Those
who make space for art allow for creativity to take form and whatever forms they
may be – it’s worth observing.
3. Anytime, any place – which artist’s body would you most like to inhabit?
If I were to inhabit another’s body, would that mean I would carry ‘me’
across into that body and if so, wouldn’t that just be me with a new meat suit on?
Interesting to experience another’s body though – that could be quite fun. I’d quite like to meet Frida Kahlo and have a chat though.
4 What is your favourite ‘ism’?
Surrealism and Impressionism
5. What was the most intelligent thing that someone said or wrote about your
work?
Why is Big Bird walking on larva? (Asked by a 4 year old)
6. And the dumbest?
All comments are useful even the perceived silly ones.
7. Which artists would you most like to rip off, sorry, I mean appropriate as a
critique of originality and authorship?
The mind is of the external world and thus anything produced from the mind are fragments of external inputs. To not be influenced by another would be creating works beyond or below the mind.
8. Do you care what your art costs? State your reasons!
Money is an exchange of energy and both buyer and seller should feel that exchange fair, although this could be largely dependent on the illusion created
around worth.
9. What are the three big ideas that you would like your work to express?
Awareness, external illusions and truth
10. Are you a political artist?
No
11. How do you start the process of making work?
Space
12. What next?
More space
13. If Moma and the Tate and the Pompidou wanted to acquire one of your works each, which would you want them to have?
Compromising Blue Pants
14. Blessed are the artists, for they shall manifest form
15. Blessed are the curators, for the shall give space to show form
16. Blessed are art critics, for they shall speak and spread the word of form
17. What is your favourite cheese?
Cheese Platter
18. What’s next for you?
Space
You can see Binda at Second Floor Studios and Arts, one of the largest communities of artists in the UK, Viewing days – Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th May 11am – 6pm
Bertram Whitford Interview
