Trying something new; we're slowly tweaking and reworking our mini interviews so they're even more special. From now on we're doing a "chain" style of questions, which means that Johannes is not just answering 4 questions, but he's leaving us with 4 questions to ask out next artist/designer... - to be revealed in the next mini interview.
I came across Johannes via instagram, admiring his colorful paintings. Even dry, the paint moves and flows, finding myself daydreaming how they would translate to textiles.
I like a little ugly mixed with my beauty. Do you relate to this, and if so do you have an example?
Yes I can relate to that! Most of the time I wear ugly with great proudness actually, then at some point I come to my senses, and realize that I am beginning to look like something from a Woody Allen movie, and I tend to spice it up with a little less tweed and cotton-shirts.
I am always having this battle between beauty and ugliness in my paintings, it is where you find the most interesting aesthetic choices that drives your process forward. The understanding of color derives from your acceptance of no such thing as ugliness. It is a non-existing factor. In fact what is ugly without beauty, and vice versa?
What would your last meal be?
My last meal would hopefully be something Italian. If that's not possible, I would like a good traditional Danish meal, celebrating my last few hours with my Danish family and friends. Perhaps have a schnaps! Dansk tradition!
What are you working on right now?
Right now I am working on a set of 2m x 1.5m paintings on polymer-curtain-canvas that I'm getting ready for an exhibition in Amsterdam. Other than that I am fighting with sculptures and dancing around in odd art Installations, trying to understand new fields of expression.
Do you have a “uniform” -some general pieces of clothing you live in… I’m curious of your everyday style, as far as getting dressed goes.
A black blazer-jacket and a white-collar shirt always gets me going in the evening or my good old US pacific pilot-jacket from the 1950s. I'm an old-school guy, when it comes to outfits, I must admit. You won't find me in a t-shirt and a pair of sneakers.
