TOAD sat down with Monica Studer and Christoph van den Berg ahead of their Abu Dhabi Art exhibition to talk about their creative influences.
Tell us a bit about what you will be exhibiting in Abu Dhabi.
We will be showcasing digital prints and an interactive piece from a computer art project we have developed called ‘Hotel Vue des Alpes.’ The project started in 2000 as a fictitious hotel on the Internet situated within a 3D Alpine landscape. You still can go and book your virtual days off at www.vuedesalpes.com. During the last 12 years, we made a number of prints in various sizes and spatial installations from the project that will be on display, in addition to more recent works.
Is it important for you as an artist to be seen by as wide an audience as possible?
Actually, this time it was not our decision to exhibit in Abu Dhabi; instead, we have been invited by Julius Baer to come here and present our works from their art collection. Of course, we see this is a brilliant opportunity to get in touch with a new audience.
Are you coming over for the exhibition? Will you get a chance to see the rest of what Abu Dhabi Art 2013 has to offer?
Yes, we will be attending the Art Fair most of the time. We also plan to see as much as possible in Abu Dhabi by exploring the city.
Do you know much of the art scene in Abu Dhabi?
Actually, we are coming to Abu Dhabi without much preparation. We find that exploring a new location and being curious has mostly proven to be a good strategy, so we plan to try it in Abu Dhabi as well. Wherever we have done this, we have been able to benefit from the pleasant surprises that it brings.
How long does an exhibition like the one we’ll see in Abu Dhabi take to put together?
The time taken to organise these exhibitions often varies. The first decision made was to select the artists and their work, which was done quite quickly. The installation on site can be put together in a short period of time, but the transport, organising the necessary paperwork for customs and even the production of a small publication for the event takes quite some time.
Where do you find your inspiration for your art?
On one hand, finding digitally generated images that reflect our Swiss origin, and on the other, shedding light on the relation between analogue and digital media, are two big sources of inspiration for us. To reflect and think about the impact digital progress can have on your thinking can be very rewarding.
Monica and Christoph will be exhibiting at the Julius Baer Lounge at Abu Dhabi Art from November 20-23. For more information visit www.abudhabiartfair.ae.
