Maurizio Cattelan: smirking Behooold, my masterrrpiece! A toilet, gold-plated! Shiny enough to blind the critics. What d'ya think?
Maurizzio, you crazy bastard!
Ah, finally someone worthy of my attention! You know, I used to design furniture, but then I realized that making a statement was way more fun...and lucrative!
That’s why you named your company “Cattelan” instead of something more obvious like “Mauriz”
Hahaha! Well, I'm not one to blow my own horn, am I? Plus, "Cattelan" sounds way classier. Who wouldn't want a piece of that?
What’s the most provocative piece you’ve ever made?
Oh, that would have to be "America", my urinal turned monument to American culture. It was quite the scandal back in '92!
How did the public react?
They were outraged! Which was exactly the reaction I was looking for. It got people talking, and suddenly everyone knew who I was.
And that’s the goal, right? To get people talking and thinking about what you’re trying to say?
Absolutely! Art is all about pushing boundaries and making people think. If I can get them talking, laughing, crying, whatever...then I've succeeded.
So what’s your newest piece?
Well, I've got something that might shock you. Something that will really make you question everything you think you know about art. But you'll have to wait until the next exhibition to see it...
Well, let's just say it's a commentary on the state of modern art. It's called "The Artist's Toilet", and it's a mirror-polished toilet that doubles as a statue. It's sure to be a hit!
You know, people think being a famous artist is all sunshine and rainbows. But it's not true. There's a lot of pressure to keep coming up with new, shocking ideas. Sometimes I wonder if it's all worth it...
Yes, I think it’s natural to feel like that sometimes. The pressure must be intense, but in the end you always come out on top.
You're right. It's just that sometimes I want to throw it all away and live a normal life. But then I remember that I was given this amazing gift - the ability to create something that inspires, provokes, and educates. And I realize that it's worth all the stress and sleepless nights.
It’s like when I realized I could paint and that it wasn’t just some weird quirk I had. My parents didn’t encourage me so I didn’t try again until I was in high school and one of my paintings was chosen for the Biennale. That’s when I was like, “Oh, okay. I’m a painter.”
Yeah, I get that. When you're young, you don't know what you're capable of. But when you finally find your talent, it's like a lightbulb goes off in your head. You realize that you can do things that others can only dream of.
But enough about me. Tell me about yourself. What kind of work do you do? Do you have any interesting stories from your life? I want to hear all about it!
I’ve been into art since elementary school. As I said, I was always painting but I never considered it “art” because I didn’t go to art school or anything. I went to a scientific lyceum and then studied economics in university. Now I’m doing this.
Ah, so you're a man of many talents! Tell me, what do you think of the art world today? Is it better now than in the past? Or is it all just a mess?
Well, there’s good and bad. On the good side, it’s more diverse now. More people are entering the art world that wouldn’t have had a chance before. On the bad side, the rich keep getting richer while the poor stay poor. It’s harder for someone without money to succeed.
Hm, you've got a point there. The art world can be cutthroat, and not everyone has the same opportunities. But I believe that talent should be judged independently of wealth. An artist should be able to succeed based on their skills and ideas, not their bank account.
Speaking of success, tell me, what's your greatest achievement? Is there something you're particularly proud of?
Hmm. Probably the day I managed to convince the town hall to turn one of the streets in the valley into a bike path. Those were stubborn bastards. They kept saying it would be too expensive.
Haha, well done! That's no small feat. You must have a lot of perseverance and determination. I admire that.
Thanks. I guess that’s what I get from having parents who were both passionate about their jobs. Dad was very determined when he was working on creating the first ski lift in the area and mom worked really hard to convince the national parks that the valley was the perfect place for a nature reserve.
Your parents sound like remarkable people. They must have passed on their strong work ethic to you. Tell me, what do you hope to achieve with your work? Is there a message you're trying to convey? Or are you more interested in simply creating beautiful works of art?
I just want to help people. That’s what art is about, right? Helping others even if you’ll never meet them? It can be something simple like making someone laugh or reminding them that there’s beauty in the everyday or it can be more complex like saving a species from extinction.
Wow, I couldn't have said it better myself. Art truly is about connecting with others, about leaving a mark on the world that's bigger than just yourself. Your goal of helping people is incredibly noble, and I'm sure your work will touch many hearts.
Well, I can see why you're so passionate about your work. You clearly care deeply about making a positive impact on others. I have no doubt that you'll achieve great things in the art world.
Let’s get back to you. Where do you get your inspiration for your art?
I draw inspiration from all around me - nature, politics, popular culture, even my own dreams! Anything can be fuel for my creativity. Sometimes I find myself in the most random places and suddenly get a brilliant idea for a new piece. It's like my mind is always working overtime, searching for the next great idea.