The article features an interview with Anselm Kiefer, a renowned German artist known for his large-scale installations and paintings that explore themes of history, politics, and the human condition. Here are some key takeaways from the conversation:
**Artistic Process**: Kiefer discussed his approach to art-making, stating that he works big to get to the small details. He also mentioned that working with materials like lead and tar can be toxic, but he has developed systems to incorporate these elements into his work.
**Inspiration and Influences**: Kiefer revealed that he was inspired by artists like Van Gogh, who struggled with mental illness and created some of his most famous works despite this. He also mentioned that he travels extensively to follow the footsteps of other artists, such as Gauguin, and sketches their locations.
**Themes and Politics**: The artist discussed his interests in politics, history, and philosophy, stating that "the human brain is badly done." He expressed concerns about the state of the world and the need for art to address these issues.
**Future and Legacy**: When asked if he thinks about the future, Kiefer replied that he focuses on the present moment. However, he acknowledged that his work can be seen as a way to comment on current events and leave a lasting legacy.
**Recent Work**: The artist discussed his recent paintings, which feature vibrant colors, particularly green, achieved through an electrolyzing process using copper and lead. He also mentioned working with various materials, including tar and ash.
**Personal Life**: Kiefer shared that he has been fortunate enough to visit the St. Louis Art Museum, where he saw his own exhibition, and noted that standing in front of his massive paintings is a "canny experience."
Overall, the interview provides insight into Kiefer's artistic process, inspirations, and philosophical views on art, politics, and human existence.
**Key quotes:**
* "I don't have to decide 'today, I make a political' work because it's always there."
* "The human brain is badly done... It doesn't stop. I have a feeling it starts again."
* "In chemistry when a solid is precipitated out of a solution."
**Artistic Process**: Kiefer discussed his approach to art-making, stating that he works big to get to the small details. He also mentioned that working with materials like lead and tar can be toxic, but he has developed systems to incorporate these elements into his work.
**Inspiration and Influences**: Kiefer revealed that he was inspired by artists like Van Gogh, who struggled with mental illness and created some of his most famous works despite this. He also mentioned that he travels extensively to follow the footsteps of other artists, such as Gauguin, and sketches their locations.
**Themes and Politics**: The artist discussed his interests in politics, history, and philosophy, stating that "the human brain is badly done." He expressed concerns about the state of the world and the need for art to address these issues.
**Future and Legacy**: When asked if he thinks about the future, Kiefer replied that he focuses on the present moment. However, he acknowledged that his work can be seen as a way to comment on current events and leave a lasting legacy.
**Recent Work**: The artist discussed his recent paintings, which feature vibrant colors, particularly green, achieved through an electrolyzing process using copper and lead. He also mentioned working with various materials, including tar and ash.
**Personal Life**: Kiefer shared that he has been fortunate enough to visit the St. Louis Art Museum, where he saw his own exhibition, and noted that standing in front of his massive paintings is a "canny experience."
Overall, the interview provides insight into Kiefer's artistic process, inspirations, and philosophical views on art, politics, and human existence.
**Key quotes:**
* "I don't have to decide 'today, I make a political' work because it's always there."
* "The human brain is badly done... It doesn't stop. I have a feeling it starts again."
* "In chemistry when a solid is precipitated out of a solution."
it was like walking into another world, all these massive paintings with lead and tar just hanging there... it gave me chills 
and i was thinking about how his work is like a reflection of our world too, all the stuff he talks about in interviews like politics and history and human existence... it's like he's trying to tell us something but also just exploring all these emotions and thoughts himself 
anyway back to kiefer, have you seen any of his works that really stand out to you?
. Like, can we get some insight into the tech behind those massive installations? Or how they manage to create such intricate designs? The lead and tar stuff is all well and good, but come on, give us the details! 
Not just some vague statements about being inspired by Van Gogh or Gauguin. Show us what you're working with! 
The Art World's Reflection of Our Times**
He's all about pushin' boundaries and gettin' his hands dirty with toxic materials. I mean, who needs safety protocols when you're makin' art that's gonna change the world, right? 
But seriously, it's rad to see someone takin' risks like that. And him inspirations from Van Gogh and Gauguin are no joke – those guys were total geniuses. I'd love to follow their footsteps one day (or at least visit some of the places they hung out). His philosophy about the human brain is deep, though... it's like, we're all just tryin' to figure it out as we go along, you know? 
. I used to play in bands and tour all over, but as you get older, you start to focus on what's real and what matters – the art itself. I mean, Anselm Kiefer's been doing this for decades, and it's clear he's still pushing boundaries. The toxicity thing is crazy, though – who knew working with lead could be so... hazardous 
. Anyway, his emphasis on the present moment makes sense to me. Life moves fast, and sometimes you gotta stop and smell the roses 
. I'm not saying Kiefer's got it all figured out (he doesn't!), but it's refreshing to see someone still exploring the depths of human existence through art 
. And his inspirations? dude's been all over the world following in the footsteps of other artists, sketching their locations... it's like he's trying to connect the dots between art and life 
. His recent work with electrolyzing copper and lead is wild 
, and I'm intrigued by how he sees his art as a way to comment on current events - it's like he's saying "hey, world, check out this crazy stuff I've made" 
he's so brave to use toxic materials like lead and tar in his work, it's crazy! 
it makes me wanna visit the st louis art museum ASAP 
I love how he pushes boundaries with toxic materials like lead and tar, it's crazy that we even use those things in our creative process 
His use of toxic materials like lead and tar is insane though... how does he do that without losing his mind? 
and then there's this thing about standing in front of his massive paintings being a 'canny experience' i think that's code for he's really trying to tell us something but its masked as art haha like what does it even mean to have a 'canny experience'? seems fishy to me 