Tape Art Artist ATAU taping live at UPDATE-22-BERLIN – a short interview with the young uber-taper for you on GoSee
CREDITS / DETAILS / VIDEO EMBED LINK
CREDITS / DETAILS / VIDEO EMBED LINK
Berlin resident ATAU works exclusively with tape. What might sound strange at first is a beautiful sight to see. Graphic, thoroughly thought-through and inspiring : “Developing new spatial experiences using tape and interacting with a given space fascinates me. I create unique artistic concepts in order to redesign interior and exterior spaces.”
His artwork, installations and murals can be found meanwhile in galleries, exhibitions, street art events and festivals around the world. His work was on display just recently for example at the art gallery 3331 in Tokyo as part of the Mt-art project by Mt masking tape Japan.
“In my artistic approach, I experiment with the medium tape and question its basic principles: through cuts and omissions, I dissolve straight lines, integrate circular shapes, leave gaps through which the materiality of the surface becomes visible as a further level. Color overlaps and offsets create gradients that, depending on the position of the viewer, decompose the lines. My starting point are often structures and grids into which I zoom in and out with great detail: urban networks, image elements such as pixels, nervous systems connecting with each other. I often work intuitively and without a template. My artworks and installations are created organically. I am fascinated by making decisions during the creative process that influence my artistic outcome.” says Atau.
And of course we had a few questions.
Tape is not an obvious choice one might assume. How did you start?
Already when I was a student, I was always totally absorbed in redesigning my books. I was born in Berlin and grew up under the same roof as the two media artists Gusztav Hámos and Katja Pratschke in Kreuzberg. As far back as I can remember, my parents gave me the freedom to express my creativity. While I was still in school, I founded the artist collective Solit together with three friends from the neighborhood. I designed the logo, fashion, stickers and our social media site. In 2018, I stumbled across tape as a medium by chance and decided to continue focusing on my tape artwork. I began collaborating with various other artists and worked on art projects as a freelance artist for which I cooperated with brands such as Adidas, Samsung or Audi. During this time, my fascination with tape art and the endless possibilities of the medium continued to grow. I have since created installations and other works of art in various countries throughout Europe as well as in Japan, Taiwan and China.
Do you always work graphically?
Most of my artwork is abstract, I love making colorful art with strong contrasts. I work with simple masking tape, foils and everything else that sticks to walls. Thanks to an art scholarship in Tokyo and Ushimado, I got a sponsorship with Japanese tape manufacturer, mt masking tape. The company produces special tapes made from Washi paper. What I love about working with these tapes is that they have a super-broad range of colors, and because the material is slightly transparent, you can mix even more colors by overlapping them.
What inspires you?
Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated with my everyday urban surroundings, by machines and architecture. A big part of my inspiration comes from Op art, digital image elements and street art. A couple of artists who have had a strong influence on me are Victor Vasarely, Yayoi Kusama, Felipe Pantone, Heinz Edelmann, Niki de Saint Phalle, Demsky J. …
We have just experienced you at UPDATE and are impressed by the calmness you radiate amid all the hustle and bustle. Live performance – is that all in a day’s work for you? Or do you prefer to work alone in peace and quiet?
The kind of art that I make means closely communicating with collectors and clients. Often also during the creative process. Which is why it’s totally normal for me when others watch while I’m working, ask me questions or make suggestions. As long as I keep my creative freedom, I sometimes find it quite beneficial. It usually motivates me when I tape live in front of an audience. But it’s also a great feeling when I prepare something for weeks on end and then get to see the reaction of visitors to the finished artwork.
How was ‘working’ specifically at our UPDATE for you?
It was a new experience to be able to demonstrate my craft live in front of so many faces known throughout the industry. What totally surprised me was that so many visitors recognized me from projects such as the design of the JVM Academy. I am so very grateful to Eva for giving me the chance, and if I can do it again in 2023, I’ll gladly be there for another live performance.
Taping in front of your agent is therefore probably no problem at all for you?
Exactly, that wasn’t a problem at all. Eva and I have a friendly relationship. I was actually quite happy that I was at UPDATE together with her. That way, I could concentrate on my artwork while she met with clients and collectors.
What and when is the next performance?
My next job is in ***, Hungary from 6 – 11 June. Together with the media artists Gustav Hámos and Katja Pratschke, we are realizing an installation with the title ‘The Bush is on Fire’. For this installation, we are reconstructing a synagogue and a church which were destroyed during different periods. Through interaction, visitors can actively bring the buildings back to life. The installation combines photo, video and tape art, and is part of the exhibition with the title ‘Community Building’. The exhibition is open from 10 June, 2022 – 10 October, 2022. City: Székesfehérvár Museum: Csók István Képtár.
We will, of course, save the date – and can’t wait to find out if we’ll see ATAU again in 2023 at UPDATE-23-BERLIN. We’d be delighted.
GoSee : art-act.de & UPDATE.Salon
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