Lena Schmidt
Year born, location, education?
I was born in Bremen in 1981, but did my diploma at Art School HfbK in Hamburg in 2011.
How long have u been living there?
I live in Hamburg since 2004.
Where do you get your inspiration?
For me some places have a magical quality. Maybe because they symbolise something that exists in myself or maybe because they are loaded with an energy. Many of my drawings are based on deep memories of short inbetween moments, like the crossing of a bridge or a nightly drive on a highway.
The deserted city at night fascinates me. The Places stay, demand their space and conserve the memory - even if nobody is there. For me they are loaded with meaning and atmosphere and they radiate an incredible serenity. It´s the moment inbetween, the transition moment i want to capture. I think everybody subconsciously shares these memories of the transit zones and surrounding areas of the city.
What's your favourite color?
Brown is really great but i can´t say i have a favourite color. Every color can be great when used in the right context. Weathering and interesting surface-structures i like best, so in a way - a play of different colors.
When are you the most productive?
I work very constantly. Actually very unspectacular: i get up in the morning, make coffee, go to the studio, make lunch break, go to the studio and so forth. When i have time and when i´m not sick, I am generally quite productive.
Where is your favourite vacation-spot?
I´m a passionate and regular traveller. Having just been there, i would say: India is my favorite vacation-spot. It´s an incredible versatile country. Even if you visited India thirty times you still wouldn´t know it. The indian power lines are the most beautiful i have seen so far- and i looove power lines. Miami impressed me as well. The city itself is very different from the image i first had of it. I thought of glitzy sky scrapers and expensive cars, but what i found was a beautiful jungle and marvellous old cuban houses combined with the old haitian Voodoo culture. And they have my beloved power lines as well.
But i´m happiest on a summer day in my studio, when the double wing doors are open to let in a warm breeze, i´m listening to good music, i´m having time and my dog is curled up comfortably sleeping in the sun.
What kind of music do you like?
According to ITunes my favorites are: „360 Volts“ from „The Zap“, „Les Djinns (Trentemoller Remix)“ from „Djuma Soundsystem“, „Tokyo Dub“ from „Juno Reactor“, „Roll Your Own“ from „Tripswitch“, „Labess“ from „Kaya Project“, „Sweet Tooth“ from „Prometheus“, Tim Healey, Cinematic Orchestra....
I do listen to every kind of music, when it´s good. In doing so, i have a tendency towards bass and a slight antipathy against electric guitars.
Any exhibitions planned?
The last years i exhibited a lot. This year i want to take a break. I want to delve into my studio and concentrate on my work without any pressure.
What is your favourite material to work on?
My favorite material is old weathered industrial wood, like ply-wood or pieces from construction sites. The pieces have to bring a story with them and have to have a quality as an image carrier and as an object at the same time.
What are your tools? (special pens, colors etc.)
Most frequently i use marker, fine knifes and wood-cut tools, acrylic paint and enamel.
