Image courtesy: Li van Saathoff
Li van Saathoff: Learn to do with less, so there might be enough for all of us. Give love to those who suffer.
BPP: Identity: Who you are? And who you
really are?
"Gold Panel" - Image courtesy Li van Saathoff
I originally come from the world of theater, I had my first job at the theater at the age of 15. At 26 I wrote and staged my first play. At 30 I started my studies as a Master of Arts and I was always working in parallel, partly at the university, partly in the private sector or self-employed.
"Match" - Image courtesy: Li van Saathoff
My work as a Master of Arts includes the organization of art exhibitions and cultural projects, the support of artists and cultural workers, art scientific publications and essays, speaker at exhibition openings etc. I did run a gallery for about 12 years with the support of certain public private partners and an adjacent arts association which I founded, and caused more than 150 exhibitions to life. It's also important for me to work with young people, so I've done numerous art workshops with kids and teenagers.
Artworks I've done always.
" Opening" - Image courtesy Li van Saahtoff
"Li" (you can speak it like "Lee") is the first part of my first name, all my friends call me that. Saathoff is my artist name, which I chose because it was also the name of my ancestors. The history of my family is not only exciting for me, but also gives me a piece of identity and roots. I was born in Germany, but many of my previous generations (eg the 1st and 2nd World War) was induced to leave their home and have lost some of their roots, values and property and thus have experienced much suffering. I want to preserve something, so I made my decision to use this name.
And who you really are? (what are you down there on earth, what is your purpose in life).
"Harmonic Destortion" - Image courtesy: Li van Saathoff
Asked about the purpose of my life I can only answer two things: either everything is just coincidence and really pointless anyway, or there must be some higher meaning. It stands 50 to 50, since we have no conclusive answer. So the question is, what we believe and what target we want to follow.
In this sense, I'm just an unimportant person who tries to send some positive energy into the world. Whether I succeed, you will know when I am no more. If there is a God, he/she should make room in heaven and expect me to come, I'll bring all my friends with me. ;)
BPP: If you could say something
important you've learned all these years of your life, to the other people and
they were able to listen to you, what would you like to tell them?
BPP: What is your real
dream, the one that keeps you awake at nights and if one day it will come true,
you will feel your heart calm and peacefull?
"Circle 1975- enhaned - orange" - Image courtesy: Li van Saathoff
BPP: How is life for the people in your country today? What do you wish
to happen to them at to the people of this planet at large?
Li van Saathoff: That's a tough question, because the social, cultural and political conditions are not limited to a particular country, but globally interlinked. The planet basically is overpopulated in terms of the current usual usage of resources and we must learn to deal with it.
"Vintage Treasure" - Image courtesy: Li van Saathoff
The patterns in minds are outdated, but it will change with future generations and get adapted to the needs of humans, economic and ethical requirements. They'll find creative solutions, I'm very confident about it. Today, decision-makers should be more open to learn, refrain more from themselves and decide only in public interests - but that's probably just a word in the wind.
BPP: If you had the chance
to be a child again, will you choose to do the same life you do?
Li van Saathoff: No, that would be boring, since I know it already.
"Beautiful Lips" - Image courtesy: Li van Saathoff
BPP: Which exactly was the
moment you understood what did you want to do in your life? How did you feel at
his very moment?
Li van Saathoff at work
BPP: Something yours:
Do you want to tell us something we didn't ask you until now?
Li van Saathoff: When I think about it, I could talk for hours. But it is obviously not your job to write my biography (*grin*). And questions about the way I work as an artist have already been answered in many different places.
But I want to thank you very kindly for this nice interview, especially because it contains different questions than usual. All the best for your project, may it find many readers and participants!
Image courtesy: Li van Saathoff
Digital designs & photos by Li van Saathoff. All rights reserved.
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