Interview: Christa Schmid-Ehrlinger
Luca Curci talks with Christa Schmid-Ehrlinger during THE BODY LANGUAGE 2025, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello in Venice.

Searching and transformation are central concepts of my artistic expressions. So I create my objects and paintings in a process of searching: movements, playing with fixed signs, graphic elements, traces, constructe randomness and striving for form. Any movement of our human body can be translated into abstract lines. My idea of line is therefore linked to the notion of gesture, expression and movement. Writing, hand gestures, playing with signs, graphic elements, spirals are basic and fundamental.

In the wire object, line through the wire becomes somewhat spatial and sculptural. The line forms such a body. The metal wire is concrete, its shadow on the white background of the image, on the other hand, is abstract and virtual and points to another dimension. In my artistic act, in my work, I understand and symbolically practice the connection, order and relationships of things. To make art is to live: to transform oneself perpetually and to be transformed.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Christa Schmid-Ehrlinger – Art is the search for an answer to the question: “what is art and what is art for me?” Continuing on the path of art and, through experimental approach, I experience the sentence – the material finds its idea, the idea finds its material. In doing so, I have come to realise that in my artistic work I practise und understand the connections, the order and the relationships between things in a symbolic way. To make art is to live: to transform oneself perpetually and to be transformed.

LC – What are your thoughts while you paint? Do you have any habits or rituals while you work?
CSE – I am in dialogue with the work : search, process and transformation are my themes. What does the painting want from me, what do I want from it? Where does one step lead me, where does the other step lead me? It is a struggle that also brings joy. I try to be in a constant dialogue with my feelings, perceptions (of the process) and also emerging thoughts. That’s why I need absolute peace and quiet and therefor I close my ears with earplugs.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
CSE – Looking back to my artistic practice over time I can note some key milestones that marked my way: Different stages of experiences: 1.beginning with writing, playing and developing graphic elements. 2.The thread (sewing thread) replaces my pencil, approching the line with anusual tools was my goal. 3. Progress from sewing thread to metal thread (wire), established then objects. 4. Subject of study is the form that I explore with brushes. Any movement of the human body can be translated into abstract lines. Evolution and transformation of shapes and lines hand in hand with the developement of colour. 5. My painting aims also at rhythmisation.

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it your medium of expression?
CSE – I want to arouse curiosity and joy, to open up other perspectives and many questions on artistic work. The viewer should be touched emotionally and enter into a dialogue with the artwork/painting and therefore speak and discuss with other people. This could be an opportunity to reflect on one`s own individual way of seeing, to achieve greater tolerance and a critical attitude towards unfamiliar, new , unknown forms of art and thus also to other new perspectives

LC – How is being an artist nowadays?
CSE – It is a great problem to harmonise the vocation as an artist with the material and financial, absolutely necessary foundations of existence. Nowadays, artists are required to have a wide range of skills. They should not only do their things, their art, but also supply the art market and attract attention to their artistic works. These pressures place a heavy burden on artists, but it is nevertheless necessary to keep their goals in view and to persevere. Also the roles of artists are varied and very different. It is important, that these roles should be ingrained in an concept of art that is convincingly represented and embodied. Artists always work in the latest technical developement, in all medias, in social projects and on “themselves”. I decided for me to work on myself .

LC – Did you enjoy cooperation with us?
CSE – The collaboration with Anna D´Addabbo and Amaride Ferrante worked out perfectly. I immediately received a precise, reliable and helpful answer to my questions.Thank you for that.

LC – What is your idea about ITSLIQUID GROUP?
CSE – ITSLIQUID GROUP is a very serious art platform, that offers good exhibition opportunities.