Interview: Jürgen Barnickel
Luca Curci talks with Jürgen Barnickel during VENICE INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2021 and BODIES+CITIES SKIN, the first appointment of BORDERS ART FAIR 2021, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

Diversity is Jürgen Barnickel’s strength. With his pictures, which are often reminiscent of the New York spirit of the 60s, he deliberately moves away from classic photography with Pop Art. Due to apparent randomness, excerpts are selected and further processed in a targeted manner. It is the concept, the selection and the design that have a decisive influence on the work. A feeling for new colors and corresponding processing form the consistently further developed aesthetical basis for the expression.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Jürgen Barnickel – Art frees us from monotony and offers the opportunity to express ourselves freely. It can change society. It is the result of a creative process. Art has always been an important part of my life in many ways. It is certainly also about an attitude to life. Art represents the examination of the environment and offers a variety of forms of expression. Photography is my most important artistic means of expression and is to be understood like painting with light in my work.

LC – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
JB – Dealing with photography as a means of artistic design. The great Pop Art artists still have a very strong influence on my work.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
JB – Artistic inspiration is omnipresent. It is either there or not. In my work, it is heavily dependent on colors, certain shapes or lighting conditions.

LC – Are your artworks focused on a specific theme?
JB – The inspiration goes beyond a topic that is seen. Often the creative work also focuses on seemingly insignificant details.

LC – Which is the role the artist plays in society? And contemporary art?
JB – Art and culture have an often underestimated, outstanding importance for society and reflect the examination of reality.

LC – Can you explain something about the artworks you have in our exhibition?
JB – This exhibition is specifically about abstraction in Pop Art.

LC – In which way the artwork presented in our exhibition is connected with the festival’s theme?
JB – In my opinion, Venice is a very suitable environment for Pop Art.

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
JB – I see a good opportunity for the international presentation of art and its communication.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
JB – The preparation for the exhibition and the organization were very professional.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
JB – In my opinion, it is very well suited to present yourself on an international level.