Tique: six questions
Tique | art paper asks six questions to an artist about their work and inspiration.
This week: Maarten Brinkman.
• tekst 2019
How do you describe your own art practice?
I am actually a lazy artist. For dreaming you need little, only time, no material and no labor. The second most laziest way of making art is to let people look in a different way, so that everyday things turn into art. To get that done, unfortunately, hard work comes in again: you have to be effective and precise in what you are making.
You could say that I make glasses that allow spectators to view the world in a different way.
Which question or theme is central in your work?
Every work of art starts with an idea, but when does the idea become art? We all know the ‘end point’ of art: beautifully framed in the museum, but where does it start? The central point in my work is the tipping point where something turns into art and therefore becomes valuable.
What was your first experience with art?
One day – playing with the sand – I discovered that each sand grain had a different shape and color. I sorted the grains as to color and suddenly I had a collection. To me, that was a magic moment, because how could something worthless and so small become so important? No one had told me that sand was so beautiful and that you could collect it like stamps and coins! I think, that was my first real experience with art. Not so much the making but especially the seeing!
I am actually a lazy artist. For dreaming you need little, only time, no material and no labor. The second most laziest way of making art is to let people look in a different way, so that everyday things turn into art. To get that done, unfortunately, hard work comes in again: you have to be effective and precise in what you are making.
You could say that I make glasses that allow spectators to view the world in a different way.
Which question or theme is central in your work?
Every work of art starts with an idea, but when does the idea become art? We all know the ‘end point’ of art: beautifully framed in the museum, but where does it start? The central point in my work is the tipping point where something turns into art and therefore becomes valuable.
What was your first experience with art?
One day – playing with the sand – I discovered that each sand grain had a different shape and color. I sorted the grains as to color and suddenly I had a collection. To me, that was a magic moment, because how could something worthless and so small become so important? No one had told me that sand was so beautiful and that you could collect it like stamps and coins! I think, that was my first real experience with art. Not so much the making but especially the seeing!
What is your greatest source of inspiration?
Nature, everything is different in nature and yet the same again. Everything is simple and yet complex again. Everything is known and yet again very unknown. Criteria that – in my opinion – good art must meet.
What do you need in order to create your work?
Space in my head and a sketchbook. Every work of art starts with a drawing or several drawings in which I can try out different starting points. Unnoticed I make all kinds of decisions when drawing, which later prove to be crucial. Converting the drawing to real work is mainly hard work and a lot of patience.
What work or artist has most recently surprised you?
The work of Rob Vollewens. He makes small sculptures from boxes – painted in grey colors – and then photographed. Somehow it reminds me of the work of Giorgio Morandi, the quality of Robs work is in a certain clumsiness.
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Nature, everything is different in nature and yet the same again. Everything is simple and yet complex again. Everything is known and yet again very unknown. Criteria that – in my opinion – good art must meet.
What do you need in order to create your work?
Space in my head and a sketchbook. Every work of art starts with a drawing or several drawings in which I can try out different starting points. Unnoticed I make all kinds of decisions when drawing, which later prove to be crucial. Converting the drawing to real work is mainly hard work and a lot of patience.
What work or artist has most recently surprised you?
The work of Rob Vollewens. He makes small sculptures from boxes – painted in grey colors – and then photographed. Somehow it reminds me of the work of Giorgio Morandi, the quality of Robs work is in a certain clumsiness.
