Art – Everything banana?

Is sticking a banana on the wall still art? Or: what actually makes Salvador Dali famous? And why does the whole world love Mona Lisa?

Art is as versatile as the people who create it. It provokes, reflects, poses questions, opens up visions – or conjures up apocalypses. It can heal, teach or inspire. And sometimes it is simply a moment that makes history.

• The work and its moment:
  Some works don’t need staying power, but the right moment.
  Courage, wit, precise timing and a cleverly chosen stage can turn a rotting banana into an impressive work of art. There are works that live exclusively from their uniqueness – and from the buzz that surrounds them. Transience is not a flaw here, but the actual concept – sometimes a single moment is enough to make history.
• However, the uniqueness of a work usually lies in a newly discovered technique or an unusual method of representation. Works that seem obvious to us today were often groundbreaking at the time of their creation. Paula Modersohn-Becker was the first woman to portray herself as a nude and is one of the pioneers of Expressionism. She pursued her artistic path with remarkable creative drive and unwavering courage, despite numerous obstacles and social conventions.
• Pose is no substitute for work: an eccentric outfit, a striking hairstyle or quirky quirks do not make an artist’s personality. What distinguished someone like Dalí was not the moustache alone, but the radical consistency with which he merged his work, appearance and self-presentation into a coherent overall picture.
• And perhaps the Mona Lisa’s smile still irritates us today, not because of any secret, but because of the self-confident attitude with which she meets us.

Power and art – an old, controversial couple.

Art breathes the zeitgeist – and is simultaneously shaped by power structures. Religion, politics, finance and social authority have always played a role in determining what is considered “valuable”.

While nature was initially worshipped as the highest power, from the first advanced civilizations onwards it reflected the respective authority. Even the cave paintings show that art initially served to honor nature. With the emergence of religious and political rule, it increasingly became a mirror of power – from temples and statues to today’s forms in which social, political or economic interests define what is considered “valuable”.

Scarcity and exclusivity create meaning – and exclude at the same time.

A fellow artist once seriously explained to me why I could “never depict a human nude anatomically correctly”:

“It’s the women’s brains! No offense meant. But as a woman, you just can’t do it!”

This put an end to any discussion about the quality of my work – and at the same time devalued every female artist’s achievements across the board. Unfortunately, such views do not automatically die out. Perhaps he has now realized his misjudgement. We can all learn from our mistakes.

Not everyone is automatically entitled to artistic freedom. Artistic quality is not the only thing that counts for recognition. Categories, attributions and power issues are reflected in the art market.

Here is an impressive list of famous women artists to discover

Romantic myths vs. reality

Many stories about artists are exaggerated: Genius, self-destruction, boundless dedication, privilege – everything is romanticized.

These narratives are of little help. They conceal the effort, the detours and the doubts. They make us forget that success is often structurally favored. Art is not created by imitating myths, but by taking one’s own steps.

From consumption to creation

Art is not a luxury, but a basic human need. Personal creativity is the starting point for development, reflection and social impact. Detours, breaks and doubts are all part of the process. Those who go their own way not only change their work, but also the perception of the art world.

Your path is your destination

Art thrives on attitude, consistency and the willingness to become visible. There is no right way – only your own. Every step, every wrong turn and every experiment brings knowledge. Diversity, equality and a wealth of perspectives arise precisely where artists have the courage to go their own way.

Diversity as standard

There is no such thing as “female art” or “ethnic art”. Such labels say more about power relations than about quality. Genuine diversity arises when art opens up spaces for different perspectives and breaks down structural disadvantages. Different forms of expression, techniques and points of view make art richer, more relevant and more socially effective.

The freedom of art is fragile and fleeting – seize it and let your ideas become visible.

Here you will find an experimental, minimalist film project of mine in which Mona Lisa, Dalí and the banana glued to the wall play the leading roles:

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My personal thoughts are also reflected in my own work. You can find some of my works here.

You can find more inspiration in this blog article: My way. My art