Interview: Henri Kirsch
Luca Curci talks with Henri Kirsch during FRAGMENTED IDENTITIES, second appointment of BORDERS Art Fair 2020, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

Henri Kirsch, a.k.a. Iamhumanz, is a performance artist and conceptual photographer from Berlin, currently living in Italy. Her relentless art creates images, that forces to confront with one’s role on Earth. The human being serves as a canvas for its self-inflicted discomfort. Her work draws inspiration from societal norms, environmental morality, and the problems inflicted by humanity. She aims to create visuals that force us to face the unease that we have created. Henri’s art is beautifully repulsive, drawing and holding the viewer’s eye. Her photography face the unease, as you float between disturbed and fascinated.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Henri Kirsch – Art is political. Even when there are no political intentions within art, politics define our world, our freedom and therefore our creations. Art is a reflection of reality. Art is a way expressing non verbally.

LC – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
HK – I grew up privileged. Unintentionally, I was taught an environmentally and socially destructive lifestyle – which I perceived as a luxury. I grew up in a culture, in which (Material-) Luxury seemed to measure success in life. Luxury, worked out by man. Pressed into societal norms, formed by a patriarchal System and surrounded by unequal censorship – are a great inspiration.

LC – Which is the role the artist plays in the society? And the contemporary art?
HK – Art can denounce everything, but only be understood by few. Art is an universal language and is understood despite differences. An Artist can be the mouthpiece of society. Contemporary art challenges and may form the future of tomorrow.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
HK – I find my inspiration within the earth itself and politics. Though my inspiration is being blocked within Instagram, where art is being consumed like fast-food. I find inspiration by zooming my attention into small things. Close and slowly as if they were a movie-scenes.

LC – Are your artworks focused on a specific theme?
HK – My art challenges societal norms and draws attention to uncomfortable environmental and social errands humanity has to face.

LC – We were attracted by your last artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the festival or as a part of preexisting works?
HK – The creation of “SCALE” happened unexpectedly. Just as the invitation to the Borders Festival. Only 1 year apart. SCALE hasn’t ever been presented live before and my model – the fish – I found randomly floating on the water surface, probably didn’t expect to make it to Venice.