1. Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us how you would set yourself up as a sculpture? I am a sculptor, installation artist, and professor in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. If I were to become a sculpture, I would hire a master stone carver to create a portrait of me with my dog and my bicycle and install it on a building. I like the idea of being a small hidden treasure that someone might discover if they are paying attention.

2. The USA is going through an explosive time. What is the situation like for queer people and what role do you have in it? It is particularly tough for LGBTQ+ people and women right now. We are seeing a strong effort to roll back basic human rights and restrict individual freedoms. People in the USA are frustrated by rising prices, income inequality, corporate overlords, and a general lack of opportunity to thrive. Right-wing, populist forces are channeling this frustration into an anger- and hate-filled power grab that threatens the continued existence of our democracy. We have seen similar situations in world history, so I think artists can have an impact by pointing out parallels and pitfalls. Even then, the challenge is getting people to pay attention. Artists can play an important role in society by pointing out problematic truths and presenting questions for viewers to consider. Communication, and art is absolutely a form of communication, is essential to all of us coexisting in our little speck of the universe.

3. Does art have the possibility or even the responsibility to be political? Or is it more of a language? All artists have different reasons for making art, so I don’t think art has a responsibility per se to be political. Sometimes art is just beautiful or skillfully crafted and can be enjoyed on those merits. But for artists who are so inclined, art can be a powerful way to draw attention to problematic social, economic, or political situations. Or maybe even to just poke fun at something. I definitely think of art as a visual and intellectual language, and the message an artwork conveys can be nearly anything, depending on what the artist wants to say.

 

4. You are also a scientist. How does that help you and how has your attitude changed over the years? My training as a scientist gave me a framework for exploration when making art. I don’t think of myself as a naturally, intuitively creative person. When something sparks my interest, I gather information much as a scientist would. But rather than work as a scientist seeking a particular truth, as an artist I can consider the “data,” think about what it may suggest, and explore the possibility of multiple, even conflicting interpretations. Art allows a broader, more global way of seeing and interpreting, one that, I think, helps us to reflect on the world we inhabit, to consider its current state and our hopes for the future.

 

5. What can Germany learn from the American art scene and what pitfalls can it avoid? Are they even comparable? It is hard to compare the two. In the past several decades, the USA has made significant divestments from funding art and falls far behind Germany in support for artists and the arts. Based on my understanding, the USA has a lot more to learn from Germany than the reverse. The USA provides a good example of what NOT to do, in terms of support for arts and culture. We have a lot to learn from Germany.

 

6. If you could start again, what would you want to do differently? I think my first career as a biologist was important in my journey to become an artist, so I wouldn’t change that. I don’t think I would have been able to make the same work if I had started as an artist earlier in life. I am content with my accomplishments and fortunate that making art is a part of my job. Not sure I would change anything at all. I would have loved to do international work earlier, but there are always issues with funding.

Many thanks for the interesting insights!