N: Kasper, king of all things Kasperpedia, one work of art you have is called “A Solution.” You’re selling an idea for 9,000 Euros. We don’t have those kind of bones lying around for the full lap dance, but what great idea do you think the art world needs to electrocute itself out of its zombiepretentious coma?
K: Nadja, this is an easy one: When the art world once again starts producing more paintings as great as the one of the dogs playing poker we should be back on track. Because I must agree with you there: how can we claim to live in an era of high civilization and great artistic beauty when the art world hasn’t produced a piece as engaging and alluring in the last hundred years? For is not great art a thing that touches the heart, embraces the soul or boggles the mind – or in this case, all three of them at once? N: Ah, yes. That reminds me of a John Rushkin quote: “To see clearly is poetry, prophecy and religion all in one.” And clearly, you crack me up. Now, what about your Kinder Eggs and your Cadbury Crème Eggs? You always seem to be making clever comments on consumerism in your artwork – and I assume that your tone of language on your site, speaking like a TV infomercial, is no accident?
K: Fascinating words from a fascinating man, and in turn makes me think of a quote by John Lennon – someone widely regarded as a poet, prophet and religion in his own right: “My role in society, or any artist’s or poet’s role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all.” But of course, he then went on to say “I am the walrus, I am the eggman”. And that just makes me confused. But I’d say it was the combination of these two quotes which “egged me” on to create my beautiful chocolate goods. But hold on now; my webshop sounds like an infomercial? See, I thought I was speaking the language of sophistication there. Dare I say... egg on my face, then? N: Now, now. Let’s not get scrambled, let’s keep it over easy. And let’s move onto the back patio on the lawn chairs. What’s with the playing card lawn chair? I mean, if you sat on that chair, you’d fall on your ass. What are you trying to say?
K: Nadja, I thought you would never ask. Well, I’m sure you are familiar with the Latin phrase “Ars longa, vita brevis” (Art is long, life is short)? I very much had this in mind when working on the Deck Chair since you could argue that the chair is pretty much going to outlive anyone who tries to sit on it, since it’s so incredibly flimsy and you’re bound to hurt yourself if you try. But did you know the original Hippocratic aphorism then goes on to say “experimentum perisculosum, iudicum difficile” (experiment dangerous, judgment difficult)? That pretty much sums it up, I guess.
Nadja Sayej is the host of ArtStars*, a travel show about contemporary art out to uncover the 7 Unsolved Mysteries of the Art World, one country, one art scene, at a time. Follow her @ArtStars and stay in the loop of all her up and comings at www.artstarstv.com