Iris Schieferstein

Let’s take a break from fashion. After all, this blog is dedicated to true discoveries. Today, I present to you an amazing and very inspiring, very special artist: Iris Schieferstein.

I don’t quite recall how I discovered Iris, some of her works have been in my gallery for ages, like many pictures that fascinate me, they were hanging there in a folder, nameless. It’s only a while ago that I managed to put a name on these artworks, when I stumbled on her creations in a book. I kept the name in mind (actually on my phone, cause my mind sucks), and as soon as I arrived home I checked all of her work online, it’s little to say that I was stunned by this woman’s talent and originality.

People may talk about her as much as they want, I’ll always admire this artist for the simple reason that she manages to create beautiful artworks in a never-seen-before way that actually say a lot and get to your mind. You’ll understand very soon what I mean: you can’t stay still in front of her work, you’ll always be moved in some way. Her art creates reactions, her art inspires, and that’s a virtue of art we tend to forget nowadays.

So mainly, Iris does sculptures and installations using dead animals, but also photographs and objects such as shoes, chandeliers, etc. I know it might sound gross to work with dead animals, but try to get ahead of it, be open-minded, use your mind and you’ll get her. Whatever the canvas is, her work always carry a certain message, a certain meaning, it’s not just provocation or beauty, there’s much more to Iris’ work and that’s why she’s worth my time.

Anyway, when it comes to art I think we always talk too much instead of just feeling, and that’s why I’ll now shut up, show you my favorite artworks, then share with you her answers to my questions. I won’t even share my interpretation of her artworks, my mission’s to bring art to you, and I hate to impose my point of view, if you want to discuss her work, you know how to contact me.

 

Fred, 1997

Ohne Titel, 2000

 

Elvis, 2000

Hundskerl 2, 2000

Hubby 2, 2007

Hubby 3+1, 2008

2009

Snakepistol, 2007

Vegas Girl, 2009

Leuchter, 2008

‘’I can be who I want as long as I know who I am’’

I can be…, 2004

2003

 

She thought…, 2005

Muttertier 2, 1998

 

In an attempt to set a frame

Where are you from?

I am from Germany.

Where are you based?

I am based in Berlin.

What is your educational background?

I studied art and sculpture.

Where are you and what is surrounding you right now?

I am at home and sunlight is around me.

What did you do in the past twenty-four hours?

Jesus... Was riding, washing, making dinner and breakfast for my children, sleeping, working on my new sculpture.....Things all people usually do.

 

As an introduction to her work

As far as you can go, what is your earliest memory linked to art?

The sculptures on old cemeteries were fascinating me, and my parents took me to the ‘documenta’ when I was 4 or 5 years old, which I did not like.

What, or who, pushed you into art?

Nobody, it is in my blood. Actually, everybody told me not to study art.

What is your definition of art?

Another voice to speak, another view to see another sound to hear.

What is your definition of beauty?

Beauty comes from inside but it only works with the opposite, otherwise it is boring.

Which is more important the process or the product?

The product, because it is the essence of the thoughts and the process.

 

About her work

How would you describe your work?

I am not going to describe my work, give this part to other people.

What part of your work is the most important?

The resolve.

Where do you find inspiration?

Everywhere... In politics, in life, in nature, in everything surrounding me

What kind of expression do you look at for inspiration?

It depends on the work.

What kind of artists do you look up to?

I respect all artists that give emotion to people.

Who are the people you want to reach with your work?

Everyone.

Are creative collaborations important to you?

No. It is interesting and it is good to know that other people probably think the same way.

So far, what was the most interesting collaboration?

Can´t remember that there was one.

Do you have any favorite work so far ? Which one?

Not really, probably ‘head 4’.

Head 4, 2002

 

About her career

What satisfies you? When do you consider something achieved?

Art, my children, love, but also when people get touched by my objects or sculptures.

What, or who, has been the greatest influence on your career?

The first one was Dali, when I was a child, then I met Florian Trümbach , but also the really old masters... As well as David Lynch,Tracy Emin , Louise Bourgeois.......and plenty more.

What, or who, is the motor of your career?

Me.

What are your future plans, your next step?

I want to make a demonstration in Berlin, wearing a sheep mask on and riding a horse, to become a Joanne of Arc character, because I feel like a sheep. There might be plenty of artists and people who feel the same.

I would like to thank Iris Schieferstein for her dedication, for the time she accorded answering these questions, for the pictures, and especially for being one of them. This post’s to her succes !

I hope you agree with me and enjoy this discovery as much as I do. If not, let me know why, I’m always open for discussion and feedback is always welcome.

Peace, Love and Art !

See ya !

Lana Sutra by Erik Ravelo for Benetton

Hello Peeps !

I’m sorry I’ve been away for a while, I’ve been busy, had some issues, but I’m back now and ready to feed you. Now, I know many of you will be interested by this post as it gathers fashion, art, and advertising.

Today I bring to you: Benetton’s latest project !

Created by Erik Ravelo, a cuban artist, this series of fifteen installations intitled ‘Lana Sutra’ is another manifestation of Benetton’s message, a great lesson on art and humanity, and at the same time a very interesting way of advertising.

Basically, and real quick: The artist went from the definition of ‘Kama Sutra’ (Kama: Pleasure; Sutra: A thread which unites) and created a series of installations composed by two sculptures, embracing in different positions. The plaster sculptures were moulded directly on human beings then covered in woolen threads from Benetton’s new collection’s colors. From the two sculptures’ meeting point, a thread composed by both colors, emerges, symbolizing the union of all human beings.

 

***

For explanation or interpretation, you don’t have to go too far… Just think: desire of an equal society, bonding between all human beings, love of differences, peace among the different groups of indivuals, etc. All of Benetton’s famous themes.

‘’I’m a human being and I don’t believe in borders. I think the world belongs to everyone born on Earth. This is my planet, our planet. No man is an island. Yes, I was born on Cuba but, above all, I was born on Planet Earth. I like to think that Lana Sutra talks about universal love which cancels diversity.’’ – Eric Ravelo.

The artworks were unveiled by Benetton on September 6th, and exposed simultaneously in three different cities: Istanbul, Milan, and Munich.

I think it’s very good to once again create such a manifestation around the importance of tolerance, and all things going along: love, peace, sharing, giving, etc. The collaboration between Benetton and Erik Ravelo is simply brilliant, as the artist’s work is shocking enough to interest people, and Benetton has the ability to really catch international attention by giving such importance to this exhibition, it is truly a great advertising move that I hope will inspire better ones.

I hope you share my opinion, if not I’d be glad to read your comments. See you soon peeps, with more discovered artists, and especially with this fashion week we all are discovering.

Photos source: Trendland.com and Yatzer.com.

Japan’s Love Hotels

Peeps ! Let’s take a break from fashion, especially with this couture fashion week I’ll have to talk about, right now I need to talk about love hotels.

Love hotels... I recently discovered them in a newsletter mail, and I have to share this discovery with you.

So I learned (after a few research) that love hotels are hotels designed to serve sexual fantasies and needs. They're called this way because of the first one named "Hotel Love" that was located in Osaka, therefore it isn't surprising that Japan owns the most love hotels, and that didn't surprise me, and shouldn't surprise you either, these people are so wacky !

It may be quite surprising but it's still a really interesting concept, you may think it's gross, tacky and vulgar but it shows that society can be open-minded and it makes me smile, I hope all the countries adopt these hotels.

Anyway, american photographer Misty Keasler took a closer look at Japan's love hotels (all pictures are by her), and the pictures she brought to the world are really inspiring, softly provocative, just enough to make you think and imagine. These are my favorites from Mysty, but you can find more rooms here, and personally I would like to spend some time in the first or second one... they seem perfect to me.

What about you ? What do you think about these ? Which room is your favorite ?

To know more about love hotels check Wikipedia's article.

Photos source: Trendland.