Our man in Berlin

Ásmundur Ásmundsson graduated from the Icelandic College of Arts in 1993 after which he moved to New York to study at the School of Visual Arts. Since his graduation in 1996 he has been provoking and inspiring people all over the place. For instance, he wet his pants while giving a lecture on postmodernism in Helsinki. Now he lives in Berlin and likes it very much.



Why did you move to Berlin?

I moved to Berlin because I have always been a great admirer of German culture and the German language, not to mention the German people. Can you imagine what the world would be like if it were not for Wagner, Goethe and Nietzsche? Or Kippenberger, Fassbinder and Beuys, so we don't leave out the young generation. Being in the land that begot these masters is great inspiration for many a culture worker. I am grateful for having the opportunity to walk on the land.

What have you been doing since you got there?

It would be impossible to tell about all the great things that have happened to me since coming to this land two years ago. I have merely responded to happenstances and I can only hope that my input can be felt on some level for future generations to enjoy. But it wouldn't be modest of me to take credit for all the greatness. I have only done my best.

What is your impression of Germans, or Berliners to be more exact? How are they different from Reykjavík people as an audience, as critics, as people?

The Germans are wonderful and fantastic people no matter how you look at them. Their utilization organs are quite well-established, which makes them the ideal audience for those who have a message to the world. Their viewing skills are remarkable. They also have a unique sense of duty. Hardworking people, the Germans. I also admire their braveness in footwear and style. Good looking people, the Germans.

What do you miss about Iceland?

I miss the lava, the geysers and the volcanoes. But most of all I miss the resources that Mother Nature has given us and the people who congregate it; the land and its people. I also miss the Icelandic national dish, pylsur, but thank God the Germans are excellent sausage makers. I think they even invented the sausage. Bratwurst is the mother of many national dishes. And of course I miss Sigur Rós, múm, elves and the hidden folk.

Do you believe in people?

I resolutely believe that our foundation as civilized people has eternal possibilities and is, despite or because of the dreadfulness of contemporary tastelessness based on freedom, seeking genuineness.

Does art need explanation?

Everything should be explained to people constantly to avoid misunderstanding. Let's say that you are in a jungle in Africa and you encounter a full-grown foundling, one that was raised by monkeys. Let's say that this foundling had only heard the Beatles and Rolling Stones of all the great music made in the last century, apart from monkey music of course. He is even a fan of the Beatles and Rolling Stones without knowing it, since he only heard them when he was still in the womb. If you wanted to play him your favourite U2 song, you would have to explain a few things. You might also have to explain to him why Kate Moss is so fine looking to the contemporary eye if all he knew was nothing but Twiggy.

Does art need snobs?

The art world is full of amazing, sometimes wealthy, people. It is only normal that some of them have the tendency to ignore or patronize the rest of us. Should they be ashamed of their ambition? I think not. And we should not forget that conspicuous consumption is the foundation of the great culture that thrives within our area of sway.

A lot of people graduate from art school every year. Some of them really suck. How important is art school? What did it give to you?

I will have to disagree with you. I have only met beautiful individuals on my spiritual journey through art institutions. Everyone has something to offer to the world. Art schools are very important, because it is the most efficient way of passing knowledge of the generations to our young citizens. Like I said, it's a spiritual journey. I also think art school is important because a thriving economy needs waiters and other service people and art schools are excellent breeding grounds for those sorts of thing.

Who should have won the World Cup?

The beautiful thing about football is that the best team always wins. I think the best team should win. Everything else would be unjust and thank God our world isn't like that. The Italian is a despicable team but I am glad they won because they are the best.

What are you up to these next months of your life?

I am going to Serbia on Thursday. My aim is to help this godforsaken land and its people in their quest for happiness. It is an important task, and artists have the capacity to make the world a better place. No place is better to start with than Serbia for many reasons, historical and physical. 

Interviewed by Henrik Björnsson





Check out Ásmundur's website: this.is/ausgot