Copenhagen Contemporary

Questions for André Butzer 

1: Can you tell me about your background? And what was the first artwork you made?

I MADE A PAINTING IN 1994 DURING MY TIME AS A CIVIL SERVANT IN A HAMBURG HOSPITAL AFTER I HAD SEEN “THE GREEN BALLET” BY ASGER JORN IN THE MUSEUM THERE. YEARS LATER I CAN SEE FACES IN THIS PAINTING SHOWING MY FATHER, MOTHER, GRANDFATHER, THE FACE OF MY DEAD BROTHER OR MY OWN FACE.

2: What is more important to you regarding your work: The process. The final visual outcome. The material? Or something else?

IMPORTANT IS ONLY THE IMAGE. THERE IS NO PROCESS OR PROGRESS. THERE IS ONLY ENTITY, ESSENCE, DESTRUCTION, ENDLESS ANNIHILATION AND LOVE.

3: The N-Bilder, and the progression from the more color-full and figurative works, can you tell more about them and what made you go in that direction?

WHAT I DID MIGHT BE A PEACEFUL REGRESSION TOWARDS “N”, “N” IS A BEAM, THRESHOLD, A DEADLY FREQUENCY OF LIFE AND REVELATION.

4: What influences you?

MY INFLUENCE IS MATISSE, ONLY ART AND MY ONGOING VISION OF INFLAMMABLE LIGHT.

5: What would you ask an artist in a Q&A and who?

I HAVE NO QUESTIONS TO ANYONE.

6: Can you let us in on some of the future projects, works?

I WILL STAY HOME. I WILL GO BACK TO THE SHACK. I AM FRIEDRICH HÖLDERLIN. I WILL SEE THE LIGHT AGAIN.

Link to –  Foundation for Contemporary Art Weidingen

Stuttgart Kunstmuseum Scharpff Collection

Link to artist page