Yesterday, we published the fifth interview in the series with the Austrian artist Erwin Wurm, one of the most successful (and witty) contemporary artists. The interview was filmed during the preparation for Wurm's recent solo show in museum Het Domein in Sittard, The Netherlands.
About the use of humor in his work Wurm says in the interview: "If you approach things with a sense of humor, people immediately assume you're not to be taken seriously. But I think truths about society and human existence can be approached in different ways. You don't always have to be deadly serious. Sarcasm and humor can help you see things in a lighter vein. (...) People in positions of power, whether political, military or economic, have always taken themselves very seriously. Looking back at history, you don't know whether to laugh or cry. You have to portray them with a cynical, mocking wit to reveal them as the ridiculous frauds and hypocrites that they are."
Previous interviewees include New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi; the multi-talented director Anna Biller whose high camp sexploitation flick 'Viva' is instant classic, artist and filmmaker Miranda July, who talks about her Learning To Love You More project; and director and designer Mike Mills who made music promos for Air and directed the feature film Thumbsucker.
See the Pretty Cool People Interview with Erwin Wurm (7,5 minutes):
http://prettycoolpeopleinterviews.submarinechannel.nl/