“The painting process can vary and is compared to the final result unimportant…”
Name
Christian Weidner
Profession
Painter
Website
Who are you? What do you do?
Who am I and why is this relevant? I work in painting.
Where are you from?
East Germany, then West Germany, then Austria, now Berlin.
Your style in 3 words?
Politics, Terrorism, Pop
Your weakness? Your strength?
Weak in letting go. Strong in caring.
What makes you different?
Loyalty and commitment.
When did you decide to become an artist?
I never intended to become one. But with 21, after working as an assistant director for three years, I wanted some university degree and my best friend at that time studied painting. So, I thought I give it a shot and the art university eventually took me. My class mates were into drawing and painting from their childhood on, so (by my insecurity alone) I had some catching up to do. While being committed to the practice, I developed a passion for painting, which carried me to where I am today.
What do you find most fascinating about the creative process?
The spark I feel when I found a good draft for a painting, a thrilling link of a pop-cultural and political moment. The painting process can vary and is compared to the final result unimportant. Starting a new work excites me and the moment I do the final touches. In between there may be a lot of labour.
A few words about your favourite creation?
I think I did a good job with the painting Asma al-Wintour. It connects Syrian politics with the magazine Vogue, which ran a raving story about Syria’s role in the Middle East and Syrian president’s wife Asma al-Assad right before the Arab spring started. Later on, it was revealed that the article was commissioned and financed by the Assads for propaganda purposes. The article was pulled from Vogues’ website and can now only be found in the original hard copy, the propaganda website presidentassad.net and archived by Gawker. I wanted to merge Vogues’ editor-in-chief and Syrian’s first lady into a hybrid for a long time: The Devil wears Prada. Lol.
Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…!
I admire works by Dierk Schmidt. He takes on the genre of history painting to investigate politics of representation, critically redescribing the production of the historical past and present. He has worked on issues of colonial history, on restitution politics, international law, and on abstraction in painting. It’s a painting position which faces real (!) contemporary issues and is rare to find. Some of the works remain mysterious to me and I wonder how he came to certain solutions. I don’t even find some of it visually pleasing, but it captures my attention and arouses my curiosity each time I see it. There are also some history paintings by Lucy McKenzie which I really adore.
A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?
I’m currently working on a big painting I am very excited about. The CIA used a specific set of songs to torture prisoners in Guantanamo Bay; one of the songs is Dirrty by Christina Aguilera, which will be collaged next to CIA imagery and Aguilera’s signature. Another painting will be a large version of the painting A Rose in the Desert and a super large painting featuring the feud between Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.
Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“
…having a decent life with nice people.
2018: Where are we going?
We fight patronizing politics
When the going gets tough…
I take my sleeping pill.
Your city’s favourite spots?
I go to Hamy Café at Herrmannplatz four times a week to get my Vietnamese lunch there. I’m obsessed. And right across the street is the DIY store Bauhaus, where I could spend an infinite amount of time.
Do you have a vision?
My vision is very good. 20/20.
What would you do if you could change the World?
Get rid of any ideology!
Tell us about your future plans…
See my adorable boyfriend more often, he lives in the US. Find a gallery representation.
Last but not least: what is your favourite Song?
You’re Still The One – Shania Twain!
