Part II_Painting Surface Space

Works in the Exhibition | Interview



Eberhard Havekost: Geisterjäger, 2004
Photo: courtesy Goetz Collection
Werner Lieberknecht, Dresden

Works in the Exhibition

Bau, 2004, Oil on canvas
Geisterjäger, 2004, Oil on canvas
Second hand shop, 2006, Oil on canvas



Interview

Jan Seewald: You're rather skeptical about artist interviews, and see them as raw material an analytical article is subsequently based on. What's your problem with interviews like this one?
Eberhard Havekost: The artist's answers don't basically say much about his work. It's more about legitimation. Artists always have a problem of legitimation vis-à-vis society. Generally, an attempt is made to construct an external image of the artist, either as a person or an artist, which says nothing about the work. In fact, it's always a matter of finding a written equivalent.
Jan Seewald: Readers, especially those interested in art history, mainly hope to get explanations that will put them on the right track. We also want a glimpse of your world.
Eberhard Havekost: "Explanations" - that sounds almost legalistic. I'd say enlightenment. Perhaps we'd better say it before we start. I'm in the same boat as viewers, and, after all, viewers are specialists, too.

Text excerpt »I need to find out what's actually going on in the pictures« - A Conversation with Eberhard Havekost in Berlin, July 2005 (Author: Jan Seewald), Exhibition Catalogue Imagination Becomes Reality Part II_Painting Surface Space