Artists We Love: Robin Rhode

INTERVIEWED BY Michaela Stehr

Robin Rhode’s Recycled Matter is currently on exhibition at The Stevenson Gallery in Johannesburg. The video exhibition features strong collaborative ties between movement, mime and music, while blurring the lines between the cinematic and physical worlds. VISI caught up with this Cape Town-born, Berlin-based artist to find out more about his work.

What is your favourite thing about collaboration?

The benefits of collaborative projects are that it enables a new understanding of the initial idea. Through dialogue and exchange, an idea is able to manifest itself into further possibilities. The culture of art has always been about social engagement, therefore collaboration injects multiple viewpoints into an already set framework, which could therefore lead to interesting and even unintended results.

How does living in Europe (specifically Berlin) influence your work?

Living in Europe has a paramount effect on the creative experience. Having access to cutting-edge museums, cultural venues, the latest trends in fashion and architecture, let alone the history of these various cultural discourses, begins to impact one’s perception of our place in the 21^st century quite drastically. However, it could also pose as a massive challenge, especially in wanting to break into the already established European markets, which is in complete contrast to the ever-emerging market scene of South Africa. In this instance, when living in Europe one has to exist outside of one’s cultural zone of comfort and embrace the competitive edge of a global modernity.

Creating visuals through movement is important in your current work. Are your movements improvised or are they meticulously practiced? 

The physical movements that accompany my work are in part improvisational and created intuitively as a reaction to both line, drawing and narrative. However, the drawing/painting element is meticulously rehearsed within the confined atmosphere of my studio. Here mark-making, drawing and painting function as rehearsals before becoming re-contextualised within an urban context, this being a wall somewhere, that calls my name.

 Is there a difference in the reception of your work in Europe compared to South Africa?

I think there is a slight difference in terms of reception. I would say Europe is far more muted, compared to the United States. Where as in South Africa, the audience is of a much younger generation that is engaging, energetic and open to new exhibition possibilities. The reception is also based on the fact that SA has a blossoming emerging scene compared to both Europe and the US. Also, reception is quite relative in terms of critical acclaim. Sometimes success is rated by the acclaim, sometimes by the commercial success, but this is all relative depending on the creative output of the artist over a given time. Both criticality and commerce shouldn’t influence the artistic practice. The work has to remain resistant against both factors in order to remain true to the artist’s vision.

Are there any more exciting projects coming up for you?

I will participate in the upcoming Havana Biennale, as well as multiple solo exhibitions in New York. Both are dedicated to the art of wall drawing. I am also working as an artistic director to an opera that takes place in an urban setting (a street corner), which is far away from the security and comforts of the concert hall. A little bit of destabilising of the artistic vision can go a long way.

Robin Rhodes’ Recycled Matter exhibition will run from 26 March to 1 May 2015 at The Stevenson Gallery, 62 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The gallery is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.