Interview: Christina Haupts
Luca Curci talks with Christina Haupts during BODIES+CITIES SKIN, the first appointment of BORDERS ART FAIR 2021, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

“I depict persons and objects in an open context or situations which allow the viewer to further extend this moment with own ideas and impressions. I prefer to work serially to immerse myself in the genre and to present the subject in various forms of expression. As a means of expression, I use strong colours and structure. The pictures have a pasty and lively colour application”.

Luca Curci – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
Christina Haupts – A couple of years ago I enjoyed courses with Angelika Biber and Christina Jehne learning techniques to create structural elements based on different minerals. The thoughtful application of the pasture combined with the unpredictive formation of cracks and structures during drying is a process that creates surprising new forms which I integrate to enhance the expressions of my paintings. The structure is mostly known from abstract painting but I wanted to combine it with the depiction of objects and figures.

LC – What are you currently working on?
CH – Inspired by the ITSLIQUID exhibition I am currently working on a series of paintings showing people in different situations embedded in the architecture of Venice. The first one finished shows an elderly couple lost in an empty alleyway.

LC – How is being an artist nowadays?
CH – There are many excellent artists out there each one with her/his own style and it is very difficult to get the attention of those who appreciate art. Therefore, I am very pleased that I was approached by ITSLIQUID to take part in this exhibition.

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
CH – My work is often inspired by impressions from travelling or natural surroundings, but also emotional involvements. In that sense, both elements contribute, to reasoning and emotions.

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it your medium of expression?
CH – Painting is definitely my way of expression. I am fascinated by the emergence of a story on a formerly empty, white canvas which I fill with bright colours. I like to stimulate the viewer to extend the story with his/her own ideas and impressions.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this festival? How did it inspire you?
CH – The concept of bringing together international artists who express their different views on the topic in multiple genres from painting to performance arts is inspiring and mirrors the diversity of people and their history.

LC – Can you explain something about the artworks you have in our exhibition?
CH – The structural elements in the first one of the three paintings (“Refreshed”) introduce cracks in the surface of objects surrounding the woman but spare her perfect body, while in the last one (“Proud”) the cracks cut through the body as well. They highlight the fragility of the skin of objects and bodies and how easily a shiny surface may be broken.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
CH – The online presentation of ITSLIQUID is very lively, combining multiple elements from descriptive pages, interviews, videos, etc.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us? 
CH – Yes, very much so! Things are well organized, people are friendly and responsive.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
CH – Definitely, this is an exciting opportunity for all artists who take part in this exhibition hosted in very special locations.