对话 | 本杰明·西根塔勒 artist interview | Benjamin Siegenthaler

本杰明·西根塔勒,瑞士艺术家,在广阔的自然环境中长大,之后前往苏黎世生活。他的艺术同样游走于两极之间:高大的装置和精巧的绘画,质朴的雕塑和巧妙的拼贴。目前西根塔勒在挪威海姆瑟达尔生活,继续着艺术创作。他将普通、容易寻得的材料,精心规划,打造成为一件件艺术品,尤为注重细节。最初他雕刻石头,之后逐步拓展到绘画和舞台布景作品。他的创作热情持续不减,开始饶有兴趣地涉足拼贴艺术的创作。

《Rugla Swepum 1.0》 绘画,铝板上漆 170x100cm 2018
《Rugla Swepum 2.0》 绘画,铝板上漆 110x147cm 2018
《Rugla Swepum 3.0》 绘画,铝板上漆 190x90cm 2018

我随身携带素描本,勾勒一些物体。我给它们起了个抽象却很悦耳的名字Rugla Swepum,还把其中的36幅素描放大为铝板绘画。
我相信,越多地发现生活之美,越能看到和享受生活。我希望,观看者将欣赏《Rugla Swepum》作为检视自己生活的契机。我让各种元素在作品中交织,时而相互挤压,时而彼此切割,层次相连,色块独立。新颖的形式和新鲜的色彩产生碰撞,让一块块碎片构成整体。在生活中,某些事物无法简单地交织在一起,它们保持着矛盾、破碎、靠近却不相连的状态。但从宏观角度看来,它们依然是一个整体。

《Rugla Swepum 4.0》 绘画,铝板上漆 155x78cm 2018
《Rugla Swepum 5.0》 绘画,铝板上漆 100x100cm 2016
《Rugla Swepum 6.0》 绘画,铝板上漆 80x51cm 2016

独立映像:在你的艺术生涯中有哪些重要的节点?
本杰明·西根塔勒:很长一段时间,我都无法将自己称为艺术家,无法相信一切皆有可能。我毅然决定离开舒适圈,放弃普通安稳的工作,选择把大量时间放在工作室里。坚持自己艺术家的梦想,对自己的选择充满信心,这就是我到现在为止艺术生涯中最重要的节点。

独立映像:面对当前的状况,你认为艺术能为我们的世界、社区或者家庭做些什么?
本杰明·西根塔勒:疫情带给人们许多的恐惧,我感到很遗憾。在我看来,艺术家在这样的背景下是肩负着责任的。我们应该用作品创造希望,让人们勇敢地发声,永不放弃。艺术家还应该提出有意义的问题,让人们可以多元化地思考。​

独立映像:2021年新的一年,你在艺术创作上有什么新计划吗?
本杰明·西根塔勒:新的一年,我即将开始一系列令人兴奋的项目,将立体的混泥土雕塑与大尺幅的绘画结合起来。作品的视觉语言来源于环绕我在挪威新家的自然美景,而内容将涉及我从安全的地方看向混乱时所感受到的那份紧张。

Independent & Image Art Space: What are the critical milestones in your art career?
Bejamin Siegenthaler: For a long time, I had a big challenge to call myself an artist and to believe that everything is possible. I took the challenge to leave my comfort zone and the security to go after an ordinary job. Instead, I chose to spend more time in my studio. To believe in my dream to live as an artist and to get confident in my choice to pursue it, is my biggest milestone so far.

Independent & Image Art Space: In front of the current pandemic, how do you think art can do for our world, community or family?
Bejamin Siegenthaler: I feel sorry for all the fear that comes along with the pandemic. In my opinion artists have a great responsibility in the current time. We are called to create hope in our works and empower people to speak up for their rights and not give up. We also have to ask good questions who lead to the ability to think differentiated.

Independent & Image Art Space: In the new year of 2021, do you have any plan for your art creation?
Bejamin Siegenthaler: I’m starting in to the new year with exciting projects. Three-dimensional concrete sculptures in combination with large scale paintings. The visual language of the work will be inspired by the amazing nature that surrounds my new home in Norway. Whereby the content shall address the tension I perceive when I look out from my safe place in to a chaos.