“I do have forms and Ideas in mind when I start something but it often doesn’t turn out the way I thought it would.”
Name
Louisa Marie Kaftan
Profession
Sculptor (BA in Arttherapy Student in Diploma of Sculpture)
Website
Where are you from?
Berlin, currently studying and living in Halle (Saale), Germany.
Your style in 3 words?
Sharp & smooth, tenderly poking
Your weakness?
I tend to panic quite easily, wich is usually not very helpful..!
Your strength?
Sensitivity
When did you decide to become an artist?
Never really. It seem to be a constant process… I decided to study art therapy in my early 20s and after completing my bachelor studies I wanted to continue making art without the constant focus on the psychological aspect, so I decided to study sculpture/free art. Wether I become a freelance artist, or an art therapist, or best: both – we will see!
Do you choose your art form, or does the form choose you?
It definitely choses me. I do have forms and Ideas in mind when I start something but it often doesn’t turn out the way I thought it would. I usually work on several things at ones being able to hop between them to keep my mind fresh and relaxed. The work that emerge during this process, unplanned, simply out of the moment, are usually the ones that are the most precise and to the point.
What do you find most fascinating about the creative process?
The relationship between all those materials out there. To collect, investigate, combine the severals and see how they effect, support disturb each other and to explore their effect on me, respectively the relation between those materials and me as an artist.
A few words about your favorite creation?
Im not sure if its my favorite but its one of my latest works and I guess I always feel the strongest connection to the most recent works of mine. „Hang-(in’) there !“ – (2024) is a series of objects with metal and textile (old fire robes from the fire department ). I am fascinated by any kind of robes, pipes, and other used materials and forms from construction sites, working spaces etc. I love to put those materials and forms, which with we have a connection to in daily life, in a new space. To combine it with other, – contrary elements and structures. In this certain work I really enjoy the cleanliness and clearity of the steal in opposite to the used, old robes. Putting into varied arrangements, creating new associations playing with gravity, pressure, release.
Who would you like to work with someday and why?
Probably not an expected answer but I think Id like to work with my father one day. He works as a painter (in housingconstruction). And his sense for form and especially color is really inspiring me. I would love to collaborate with him in any way some time! Also there are many great artists surrounding me in Halle/Leipzig who I would love to work with!
A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?
In May/June 2024 Im going to go to Norway to take part at a symposium stone-sculpturing. I’ll be working there for 3 1⁄2 weeks with 7 other artists and in the end there will be an exhibition for a few weeks which will show the work that has emerged. I’ve already been there in 2019, its where I decided to move to Halle and study sculpturing. So I’m looking forward to working intensively with stone again and seeing how things have changed for me in working with this material.
What surprised you most about your first art shows?
The perception of people is incredibly varied and never fails to surprise me, both in positive and negative ways.
Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…
Eva Hesse has always had an inspirational influence on me. But I have lots of female friends who are great artist too and who inspire me every single day!
Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“
.. friends and family for sure !! My relationships with them and their physiological and psychological wellbeing.
2024: Where are we going?
Hopefully reevaluating outdated structures, rethinking, transforming, and implementing fresh ones !!
Do you think about time as an artist?
The way I work as an artist, without any concept or soever, I need a lot of present time working, cleaning, thinking in my studio. Probably more than others do. I often think about my inefficient artistic working process, and wonder how to change it. But I guess its a good compensation since I am a person who always thinks efficiently and always wants to get the most out of little time.
When the going gets tough…
I go for a run or a swim in cold water. Woo!
Put on your future vision glasses: What direction is our generation moving in, what will our world look like in 50 years?
As a person who tends to overthink the future a lot, (often not in the most optimistic way) – I try to stay in the present moment and not put on those future glasses. I guess we will see in 50 years then. 🙂
What would you do if you could change the World?
Thinking big, I naturally wish for equality and justice for all and everyone. Thinking a bit smaller and more realistically: I guess by choosing how to act and behave on a daily basis, and by the willingness to reflect and change oneself’s behavior, I believe that each of us changes our environment a little every day. At least our own little bubbles.
“Within art, we possess the freedom to do ANYTHING.”
What does freedom mean when it comes to art?
Whew, I find myself contemplating a myriad of things—financial security, freedom of expression, and more… But I also think that in the realm of art, the concept of freedom brings the sensation of being overwhelmed. Within art, we possess the freedom to do ANYTHING. This vast array of options can be paralyzing and limiting. Then it doesn’t feel so free at all anymore.
Tell us about your future plans…
I will likely spend the next two years in my studio and finish my diploma of fine arts. I very much look forward to it. Afterwards Ill see wether to do a master course in art therapy or a ‚meisterschüler‘ in sculpturing.
Your city’s favorite spots?
Das Tonloch (little lake for a good swim), die Franzigmark (for nice long walks)!
Last but not least: what is your favorite Song?
Im listening to ‚1908‘ by Toni Canto right now. Lovin’ it!
One last statement please: „Wood or stone, gold or art?“
Art, it can be all of the others at the same time.
Your #…?
#femaleartist #loukaftan
