“‘Failure’ is an opportunity I hadn’t thought of yet.”
Alexis Rockman
The following interview forms part of a series where repsychl invites contemporary artists to each reflect on their personal history, meaning, and philosophy, and how those are embedded throughout their creative process.
Our interview this week features Alexis Rockman, an American artist known for creating dystopian landscapes showing the impact of climate change and genetic engineering on evolution.
How do you comprehend the destructive side of human nature? How might this have evolved throughout your artistic process?
To quote EO Wilson “The real problem of humanity is the following: “We have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions and godlike technology”
Would you say the cultural trend of individualism is overall beneficial or detrimental to the art world?
If there’s one place that being individualist should be rewarded, it’s in the art world.
When it comes to addressing the climate crisis, which works of art have you found most compelling?
Just Stop Oil is doing some interesting things.
Oscar Wilde wrote that, “life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” How does this resonate with you?
I prefer Wilde’s quote “We are all in the gutter. Some of us are looking at the stars.”
When it comes to art, how can one talk about certain subjects without being too on the nose or disingenuous?
To be overly literal is a sign of profound weakness.
In a world where failure were impossible, how might your art be different?
“Failure” is an opportunity I hadn’t thought of yet.
See more of Alexis Rockman’s work and keep up to date with upcoming exhibitions: Instagram | Website
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