Meet the Artists | El Anatsui

Art Basel

7 Jun 201905:17

Summary

TLDRThis transcript explores the philosophy of art as play, emphasizing creativity, flexibility, and communication. The speaker reflects on how playfulness brings out honesty in art, and that art should be capable of evolving. They discuss the communal aspect of creation, comparing it to cathedral building, and stress the importance of collaboration in large-scale projects. The conversation touches on environmental themes, with a specific reference to illegal mining in Ghana, and advocates for the nomadic aesthetic—art that is lightweight and transportable. Ultimately, the message is that art transcends rules and geographical boundaries.

Takeaways

🎨 Art is about play, and we are more honest when we allow ourselves to play.
😄 Seriousness can hinder creativity, so it's important to have freedom when creating art.
🌱 Art and life are fluid; neither are fixed, and artwork should be capable of evolving.
📬 Many people are moved by the artist’s works and often write to share their feelings.
🗣️ Art is a form of communication and not something solely for the artist.
💡 Discussing new work can be difficult because it takes time to fully digest and understand it.
🌍 The artist draws inspiration from environmental issues, like illegal mining in Ghana, which is causing the earth to lose its 'skin.'
👥 Collaboration with volunteers is key to creating larger pieces, highlighting the communal aspect of art-making.
📦 The artist values portability, creating lightweight, foldable works that are easy to transport, embracing a 'nomadic aesthetic.'
🌏 The artist emphasizes that art exists globally, not just in Europe or the West, and the world is waking up to the richness of art from all regions.

Q & A

What does the speaker suggest about the nature of art?
-The speaker suggests that art is about play and freedom. It is a process of exploration and honesty, and not something that is rigid or fixed.
Why does the speaker believe that art should be capable of changing itself?
-The speaker believes that if art is about life, then it should reflect life’s ever-changing nature. Artworks should have the flexibility to evolve, mirroring the fluidity of life.
How does the speaker perceive the reaction of others to their work?
-The speaker often receives letters from people moved by their work. While they don't ask for specific feedback on how the work impacted them, the communication signifies that art has a profound emotional effect on people.
Why does the speaker consider art to be a form of communication?
-The speaker believes that art is not just for the artist but for others as well. Exhibiting art is a form of coming out and sharing a message, thus emphasizing the communicative role of art.
What is the significance of the artwork 'Earth Shedding Its Skin'?
-'Earth Shedding Its Skin' symbolizes the destruction caused by illegal mining in Ghana. The speaker likens the earth losing its 'skin' to the damage humans are inflicting upon the planet.
How does the speaker work with others in creating their art?
-The speaker works in a rural studio setting and often collaborates with volunteers. These volunteers help with various tasks such as cutting and joining materials, which contributes to the final artwork.
What is the speaker’s view on the role of the artist in large-scale works?
-Initially, the speaker believed they had to do everything themselves. However, over time, they realized that working with larger forms allows for more possibilities and that collaboration, much like in the construction of cathedrals, is essential.
What is the 'nomadic aesthetic' that the speaker refers to?
-The 'nomadic aesthetic' refers to the speaker’s focus on creating artworks that are lightweight and easily transportable. This practicality influences the design and structure of the work, making it adaptable for travel.
How does the speaker challenge traditional notions of where art happens?
-The speaker argues that art is not limited to Europe or the West. They suggest that the world is waking up to the fact that art exists everywhere, and artists from previously marginalized places are now showcasing their talents.
What advice does the speaker offer to young artists?
-The speaker advises young artists to simply start creating and to remember that there are no rules in art. They believe that an artist’s value is determined by how well they can operate without constraints.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 The Playful Nature of Art

Art is fundamentally about play, as it fosters honesty and creativity. The speaker emphasizes that being too serious hinders creativity, while freedom allows for better artistic expression. Art, much like life, is not fixed and should evolve over time. The speaker receives feedback from viewers who are deeply moved by their work but doesn’t often seek detailed responses. Ultimately, art is about communication, connecting the artist with the audience through the act of sharing their work.

🌍 Art Reflects Life's Changes

The speaker discusses the difficulty of explaining fresh work, referencing their piece 'Earth Shedding Its Skin.' This work comments on illegal mining practices in Ghana that damage the earth, metaphorically and literally causing the earth to lose its skin. The idea that art can reflect societal and environmental changes is central to this section, with the speaker highlighting how their surroundings inspire their creations.

👥 Collaborative Artmaking Process

In the speaker’s rural studio, many volunteers assist with art projects. These projects involve repetitive tasks like cutting and joining lines, which eventually come together into a larger cohesive form. The speaker reflects on their initial belief that artists should do everything alone, but now they embrace the idea that collaboration, much like in cathedral construction, can yield impressive results. The large scale of the works allows for more creativity and flexibility.

📦 Versatility and Nomadic Aesthetic

The speaker values creating lightweight, transportable art. Their large, flexible pieces can be folded and packed into small boxes, making them easy to travel with. This practicality ties into a 'nomadic aesthetic,' where the challenge is to ensure that the art remains adaptable without sacrificing its essence. The flexibility of the pieces allows them to take on different forms depending on the situation, creating new experiences with each arrangement.

🌍 The Global Evolution of Art

Art is no longer confined to the West; the world has awakened to the realization that art happens everywhere. The speaker notes that for a long time, the belief was that Europe and the West dominated the art world. However, as time progresses, artists from other regions are finally being recognized, contributing their unique perspectives and enriching the global artistic landscape. The speaker calls for these artists to seize opportunities and share their work.

🚫 No Rules in Art

The speaker offers advice to young artists, encouraging them to take action and create. The key message is that there are no fixed rules in art, and the true measure of an artist’s worth is how well they can operate outside conventional guidelines. Embracing this freedom leads to greater innovation and success in the artistic journey.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Play

In the video, 'play' refers to the idea of creative freedom and exploration in the artistic process. The speaker suggests that art emerges most honestly when approached with a playful, less serious mindset. This concept highlights the importance of experimentation and openness in creating art, where rigid structures and seriousness can stifle creativity. For example, the artist mentions that 'if I am too serious, nothing comes out.'

💡Freedom

Freedom in the video is tied to the ability to create without constraints. The artist emphasizes that greater freedom to play allows for better artistic expression. This is a core value in their creative process, enabling them to explore different forms and concepts. It is illustrated by the comment, 'The more freedom you have to play, the better it is for you.'

💡Communication

'Communication' here refers to the idea that art is a dialogue between the artist and the audience. The speaker believes that art should not be an isolated or solitary act but rather something that connects with others. The artist receives letters from people moved by their work, showing how art can elicit emotional responses and engage the viewer. They state, 'Art is about communication... it's not something that you do and it's for you alone.'

💡Life

In the video, life is compared to art in its fluidity and changeability. The speaker implies that since life is not fixed, art should also be adaptable and capable of transformation. This philosophy underpins their approach to making art that evolves in form and meaning. The artist mentions, 'If art is about life, then life is not a fixed thing.'

💡Change

The concept of change is central to the artist’s vision of art as a dynamic and evolving entity. Rather than being static, art should be able to shift and grow, much like life itself. This idea of transformation is reflected in the artist's works, which are not fixed and can be folded, reshaped, and reinterpreted. The speaker notes that 'the artwork should be in a form that is capable of changing itself.'

💡Volunteers

'Volunteers' refer to the people who assist the artist in creating large-scale works in a rural setting. The artist relies on a community of volunteers who contribute to the process, emphasizing collaboration rather than solitary creation. On a good day, the artist mentions there can be 'over 40' volunteers working on tasks such as 'cutting and joining.' This shows how art can be a communal and shared experience.

💡Illegal mining

Illegal mining is mentioned in the video as an environmental issue that influences the artist's work. In Ghana, illegal mining activities are described as destructive to the earth, leading the artist to create works reflecting the damage. This environmental concern is evident in the piece 'Earth Shedding Its Skin,' where the artist conveys a feeling that the earth is metaphorically losing its protective layer.

💡Nomadic aesthetic

The term 'nomadic aesthetic' refers to the artist’s focus on creating lightweight, transportable works of art. This concept highlights the importance of mobility and flexibility in their artistic creations, allowing the pieces to be easily moved and adapted to different spaces. The artist says, 'You let the fact that you need the work to be light and transportable be your challenge.'

💡No rules

The idea of 'no rules' is a guiding principle for the artist, suggesting that creativity thrives in an environment without rigid guidelines or boundaries. The artist advises young artists to embrace freedom in their practice, as art’s value is linked to operating outside conventional frameworks. The speaker states, 'The golden rule is there are no rules,' promoting a philosophy of open-ended experimentation.

💡Global art recognition

'Global art recognition' reflects the artist’s belief that art is not limited to any particular region, such as Europe or the West. The artist notes that for a long time, art from other parts of the world, including Africa, was overlooked. However, they believe that time is changing, and there is a greater appreciation for diverse artistic contributions from around the world. This is conveyed when the artist says, 'The whole world has woken up... time is opening up.'

Highlights

Art is about play, and we are more honest when we are playing.

The more freedom you have to play, the better it is for you.

Art is about life, and life is not a fixed thing; artwork should be capable of changing itself.

People react to my works, often writing to me that the works have moved them.

Art is about communication; it's not something you do just for yourself.

When you exhibit, you are coming out and sharing something with the world.

It can be difficult to talk about fresh work, as you are still digesting it.

In Ghana, illegal mining destroys the earth, giving me the feeling that the earth is losing its skin.

My studio is in a rural setting, allowing volunteers to assist in the creation process.

On a good day, over 40 volunteers may help, working together to create something larger.

Initially, I thought I should be the one doing everything, but collaboration enhances the work.

Working with forms that are not fixed allows more scope and possibilities.

The work can fold easily for transportation, embracing a nomadic aesthetic.

Art happens everywhere, not just in Europe or the West; the world has woken up to this.

The golden rule for young artists is that there are no rules; your worth is determined by how you can operate without them.