NAU NUA: HOLGER HOMANN & HELDER SUFFENPLAN

Upon paper desires

Paper or not paper, is that the question? In our case the answer is no because the most important is always the relevance of the contents. Ludwig van Beethoven firmly thought never break the silence unless you can improve it and we could also apply it to the world of publications especially when the use of paper causes an important environment print. But sometimes life gives us the chance of discovering new projects with a deep sensitivity that definitely one must experiment physically and this is the case of the magazine Upon paper, an art platform initiative of Hahnemühle Fineart, manufacturer of high-quality paper for artists, which enters its second year celebrating Lovers in the third issue of their biannual XXL-size magazine in their creators own words defined in terms of an objet de désir. This desire is sometimes dark as the one illustrated on film by Luis Buñuel and others bright like only the light of passion can be. Along with the third issue edition they have organised the thematically related group exhibition LOVERS featuring works by Hans Peter Adamski, Kate Bellm & Edgar Lopez, Larry Clark, James Gallagher, Bill Henson, Claire Kurylwoski, Matt Lambert, Philip Loersch, Jordan Tiberio, Camille Vivier, Kandis Williams and the actor James Franco. The new issue includes also a special cooperation with Julian Schnabel and his girl-friend, model and photographer May Andersen who have created a collection of eight photographs and paintings as an additional cover, under the title Once upon a Trip, new works which have been created during their recent trip together.

Holger Homann is the Director of Upon Paper Projects, Editor in Chief of Upon Paper Magazine, Online and Space, and Helder Suffenplan is Creative Director of Upon Paper Projects, Upon Paper Magazine and Space, and Contributing Editor to Upon Paper Online, and they have explained us the project.

Mr. Helder Suffenplan, you’ve designed the current cover of the Upon Paper magazine in which we can see two hearts. Why two hearts Upon paper ?

Helder Suffenplan: Hearts are the universal symbols for love. So with the overall theme of the issue being LOVERS, I thought it appropriate to see if I can find a new twist on it. The cover has become some kind of test in a way. Some people see just two hearts in it, the more imaginative ones see all sorts of parts of the male and female body in it.

What do you look for in art?

HS: To me art is a modern form of alchemy: shapeless and worthless materials such as paper, canvas and colors are transformed into something very valuable and meaningful. Almost like the consecration of bread and wine in the catholic mass. Maybe this is why museums have replaced the cathedrals in today’s architecture and why artists are revered like priests.

And what do you look for in love?

HS: I want to be a better and happier person with the one I love than without. I see many people that keep reenacting relationships that make them unhappy. To them, love seems to be linked to drama and disappointment. Personally, I have always been looking for growth and freedom in love, though.

Some research scientists have concluded that love is a very unusual intellectual capacity. What do you think?

HS: Love has many faces. If we’re talking about pure unconditioned love – yes, this seems to be very rare. On the other hand everyone seems to be longing for love, we cannot really live without it. So maybe there’s hope humanity in general will become better at this. I wouldn’t say, though, that love is an intellectual capacity. I’d rather call it spiritual.

Lovers and beloveds is the theme of the current issue. Is it your vision of the motor of the artistic creation?

Holger Homann:“Lovers” is a common topic in history of art. Think of Picasso's body of work without Marie- Thérèse Walter and Dora Maar as subjects of his work. Even his children – “beloved ones” – you will find in numerous paintings. It is not just a vision – it is a matter of fact: the theme led into one of the most valuable pieces of art. Because art ist still made by people – with a heart beating.

The Lovers project includes works by Julian Schnabel, Hans Peter Adamski and many other artists. They are collaborators of the project or they've been especially selected for the current issue?

HH: They became collaborators in both terms: Julian Schnabel edited mostly unpublished artworks recently done by him and his fiancée May Andersen exclusively for that issue. Hans Peter became a contributor by choice but is a collaborator in many ways and most of all - a friend for more than 2 decades.

You say the Upon Paper is not a magazine. What’s the Upon Paper project?

HH: It is what you just called it: a “project” upon art and its many facets. If the artist were actors – we are just the stage.

Why have you decided to dedicate each issue to one theme?

HH: Understand UPON PAPER magazine like a group exhibition. We curate it based on a theme which became like a bracket and unifies the most diverse pieces of art.

In the current times to publish a magazine on paper is a kind of romanticism?

HH: In a time of meaningless cinematic blockbuster and growing gossip papers people still go to the theatres and attend the opera. Does that make them part of romanticism? Or is it simply a need of people for the beauty of art like their need to be loved and become lovers. You just have to make your choice what is really important for you as human being. THAT is what makes us different from other species.

The project is going to be always dedicated only to contemporary artists?

HH: It never was – flip through our pages and you will find even Goya! All art has been contemporary!

How do you see the heart of the artistic world?

HH: The heart is still beating – but art is increasingly tempted to become just a collectors’ item.

Upon Paper | Lovers. Exhibition here

Julian Schnabel & May Andersen | Once Upon a Trip. Exhibition here

An interview by Juan Carlos Romero
Upon paper website uponpaper.com
Photo Helder: © Holger Homann
Photo Holger: © Franziska Taffelt
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